NLI supports “everyday” leaders — particularly those from low/moderate-income communities and communities of color — to put their ideas into action, learn new skills, grow as community leaders, and network with others who care about improving the community.

In addition to our program for “natural leaders,” NLI also
(a) helps community boards and committees to recruit, support and retain emerging leaders from under-represented groups, and
(b) helps community organizations find new ways to promote leadership development through their own programs.

NLI is a collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension-Tompkins, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), the Multicultural Resource Center, and Tompkins Community Action.