Building Inclusive Communities Through Leadership
Since 1988, the New Hampshire Leadership Series has been preparing individuals to become informed advocates and community leaders. The program supports a statewide movement for more accessible systems and opportunities for all—driven by people who know the issues firsthand.
What we do
The NH Leadership Series is a hands-on, community-centered learning experience that focuses on:
- Strengthening advocacy and leadership skills
- Exploring the history and impact of disability policy
- Understanding how to create change across education, healthcare, and other systems
- Connecting people across communities and sectors
Why it matters
Graduates of the NH Leadership Series have:
- Served in public office—including local school boards, the New Hampshire Legislature, and even the United States Senate.
- Launched organizations like ABLE NH and led grassroots movements
- Brought lived experience into policy, planning, and program design across the state
Our Legacy and Partners
Originally inspired by Minnesota’s Partners in Policymaking model, the NH Leadership Series was launched in 1988 at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability
Today, the program is sponsored by the Institute on Disability in collaboration with:
- The Developmental Disabilities Council
- The Bureau of Developmental Services
- The NH Department of Education
- Other statewide organizations
A network of change-makers
Over 1,100 graduates across New Hampshire are actively shaping systems that impact school, work, and community life. NH Leadership Series builds connections that last—and leadership that continues to grow long after graduation.
