Emerging Leader Alumni Network

Through shared expertise, collaboration and continued learning, ELAN cultivates professional growth, drives innovation and ensures that the ELP spirit continues to strengthen laboratories, empower leaders and support the next generation shaping the future of public health.

ELAN hosts quarterly calls, engaging webinars, virtual activities, coaching opportunities, in-person educational and networking events, and maintains an active ColLABorate Community—an online forum offering opportunities to engage in discussions with peers and share resources.

• Sustain Connection
  Maintain and strengthen relationships among ELP alumni through ongoing engagement, knowledge sharing and collaboration
• Advance Leadership Development
  Foster continuous professional growth and leadership capacity through shared learning and peer exchange opportunities
• Support Current Emerging Leaders
  Serve as coaches and resources for current ELP participants, providing guidance and perspective drawn from alumni experience
• Champion the Laboratory Workforce
  Contribute to efforts that promote resilience and excellence across the public health laboratory community

The ELAN Action-centric Team (ACT) is a dynamic group of Emerging Leader Program alumni who guide the priorities and activities of the broader network. Acting as the bridge between vision and action, ELAN ACT drives initiatives that enhance leadership development, strengthen laboratory management and technology practices, and address critical challenges in public health laboratory science. Through collaboration, creativity and strategic insight, ELAN ACT ensures that ELAN continues to evolve and make an impact across the laboratory community.

Each year, the ELAN ACT includes five to eight members representing a range of public health laboratories, including state, local, environmental and agricultural labs, as well as at least one recently graduated cohort representative. This structure ensures that many perspectives and laboratory experiences inform the team’s work and that the alumni network continues to reflect the full spectrum of the public health laboratory community.

ELAN, through its Action-centric Team, partners with APHL staff to ensure that resources produced by ELP cohorts remain relevant and up-to-date. The collection below highlights some of the most recent and impactful resources developed by Emerging Leaders:

• Effective Communication for Aspiring Laboratory Leaders
• Employee Advocacy Resources
• Teambuilding Toolkit