Building Pathways. Broadening Leadership.
What is ASA RISE?
ASA RISE is a six-month, equity-centered leadership program for emerging leaders of color committed to reshaping the future of aging. Through mentorship, community, and deep engagement with the systems that impact older adults, ASA RISE empowers participants to challenge inequities, shift narratives, and lead transformative change across the aging ecosystem.
Applications for Cohort 5 of the ASA RISE program are now closed.
Building Pathways. Broadening Leadership.
Imagine an aging sector led by individuals who truly understand the challenges faced by older adults in every corner of the country—leaders who grew up in farming towns and now champion services in rural clinics; who balanced caregiving and hourly work and now design programs that ease the strain on family caregivers; who were raised in multilingual households and ensure that no one is left behind by systems that overlook whole communities.
Imagine leaders whose life experiences reflect the full spectrum of America—its histories, its neighborhoods, its struggles and its strengths. When leadership draws from this wider pool, we gain sharper insight, deeper trust and smarter solutions. These leaders bring more than professional credentials, they bring a lived connection to the people they serve, and a bold vision for what aging in this country could become. A future like that isn’t just possible, it’s overdue.
In the United States, growing older looks different for everyone—but the opportunities to lead change in this field are not evenly shared. Often, individuals with firsthand knowledge of life’s hardest challenges—whether due to where they grew up, their age or how society sees them—face the steepest climb to leadership roles.
Consider these realities:
- People from rural areas are far less likely to hold national leadership roles—despite making up nearly 1 in 5 Americans—due to limited access to career networks and professional development opportunities.
- Professionals from underrepresented backgrounds are often passed over for advancement: one recent study found that Latinos hold only 6.3% of CEO positions in the U.S., despite comprising a larger percentage of the workforce.
- People from lower-income households face major roadblocks to leadership—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—including fewer early career opportunities, less access to mentors, and greater financial strain when pursuing unpaid or low-paid development experiences.
ASA RISE exists to change that reality. We believe that leadership in the field of aging should reflect a wide range of experiences and voices—especially from people who understand what it’s like to be left out of decision-making roles.
Important Dates
Cohort 5 Program Dates:
Jan.14–June 25, 2026
Cohort meets Wednesdays from 3–6PM ET/12–3PM PT
Application Period:
Aug. 5–Sept. 14, 2025
Finalist Interviews:
Oct. 13–30, 2025
Acceptance Notifications:
Nov. 3, 2025
Program Overview
As the United States becomes older and more racially, culturally and economically diverse, the future of aging demands leadership that is not only representative—but transformative. ASA RISE is a 6-month, equity-centered leadership-development experience that supports emerging leaders of color working to reimagine aging systems and reframe narratives and services in their communities through a justice lens.
Rooted in the values of racial equity, age justice, and community empowerment, the program cultivates a new generation of changemakers equipped to lead with courage, cultural insight, and a deep commitment to collective well-being. Participants examine how racism, ageism, ableism and other intersecting systems of oppression shape the experiences of older adults—and gain the tools to lead across policy, programs and practice.
Through a culturally grounded, justice-centered curriculum, participants build critical skills in disrupting ageism, advocating for policy change, and advancing structural and systems transformation. Weekly sessions combine interactive learning, peer collaboration, guest speakers and mentorship from leaders in aging, health and equity fields.
At its core, ASA RISE recognizes that leaders of color bring essential lived experience, cultural wisdom, and systems insight to the work of equity in aging. This program supports them in moving from resilience to resistance—and from representation to transformation—essential to shaping a society where all people can age with dignity, visibility and belonging.
ASA RISE is aligned with the American Society on Aging’s mission to advance equity in aging and build a field that reflects the full diversity of our nation’s elders and workforce.
The aging sector is changing—and so are its leaders. ASA RISE is an immersive leadership development experience for emerging leaders of color who are ready to challenge the status quo, disrupt ageism, and build a more just and inclusive future for all older adults.
Program Highlights
- 24 weeks of structured education in equity-centered leadership, narrative change, systems transformation and coalition building.
- An in-person “Advance” during ASA’s On Aging Conference focused on self-reflection, cultural grounding, community building and movement visioning.
- Collaborative capstone project focused on anti-ageism and advocacy in communities of color.
- 1:1 mentorship and coaching from senior leaders of color in aging, health, policy, and justice sectors.
- Interactive sessions on reframing aging, systemic inequities, intersectionality, storytelling for change, leadership at the intersections, social justice, policy influence and anti-ageism advocacy.
- Connection to the ASA RISE Village, with opportunities to network at ASA’s On Aging conference and engage in cross-cohort collaboration.
ASA RISE participants should anticipate spending 6–8 hours each week participating in the live workshop (three hours) and completing supplemental readings and assignments. The weekly session during the 6 months will be held on Wednesdays from 3–6 PM ET/ 12–3 PM PT.
Who Should Apply
Early career and mid-level professionals of color with at least five years of experience, one year with their current employer, committed to dismantling structural inequities and building a more inclusive future for older adults and working in:
- Aging services and policy
- Long-term care, public health, or social work
- Housing, disability advocacy, or philanthropy
- Community-based or intergenerational programs
- Any sector committed to aging justice
We especially encourage applications from professionals of color who are LGBTQ+, identify as disabled, work in rural areas or with economically precarious populations, veterans, other intersectional identities marginalized in the aging ecosystem, and those who may not have previously had access to formal leadership development opportunities.
You don’t need a formal leadership title—just a vision for equity and the courage to lead from where you are.
Why This Matters
Older adults of color face systemic barriers in health, housing, caregiving and longevity. At the same time, professionals of color remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the aging ecosystem. ASA RISE invests in those ready to shift this reality—not just by increasing representation, but by tapping into the talent, creativity, and cultural wisdom already present in communities of color. ASA RISE Alumni are building power, shifting narratives, centering lived experience, and leading change.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of ASA RISE will:
- Build capacity to lead with equity, authenticity and impact.
- Design and implement anti-ageist advocacy projects rooted in cultural knowledge and systems understanding.
- Strengthen strategic communication, intergenerational leadership, and policy and advocacy engagement skills.
- Build lifelong connections through the ASA RISE Village network.
- Join a national movement of leaders reshaping aging systems from the inside out.
Application Process
Prospective fellows will submit an online application. The application requires you to upload a bio statement, and a current resume or CV. The application requires you to answer four short questions (up to 250 words) covering:
- How have your life and work experiences shaped your desire to make things better for older adults?
- How have you worked to expand opportunity in our society?
- What does inclusive leadership mean to you?
- How do you see ASA RISE helping you take the next step in your career?
[Click here to download a PDF of the application to review before submitting online.]
Selection Criteria:
Selection into ASA RISE is a competitive process, and not all applicants will be accepted. ASA RISE fellows will be selected by a committee after a review of all applications and interviews of those selected as finalists. Our selection criteria include:
- Commitment to Growth—Showing a commitment to your professional development, and a readiness to invest in growing your leadership capabilities and participating fully in all aspects of the ASA RISE program.
- Commitment to the Aging Sector—Demonstrating a commitment to the field of aging and a strong intention to advance your career in the field.
- Potential for Advancement—Having a sense of how you want to grow your impact at an individual, organizational and community level, matched with the potential to do so.
- Ability to Put Learning to Work—Currently working in a role where you could directly apply the ASA RISE leadership competences, tools and lessons learned.
- Contributing to the Diversity and Richness of the ASA RISE Cohort—Your ability to help us build a diverse cohort to support an environment where fellows are exposed to, and engage with, a wide variety of thought, opinions and people. These include, but are not limited to: age, community experience, cultural background, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, industry, leadership experience, personality and profession.
Program Cost
Program Fee—$1,000
Fellows will receive a complimentary ASA membership for one year and conference registration to On Aging 2026.
ASA RISE Fellows are encouraged to request employer-sponsored support for the $1,000 program fee and travel expenses (estimated $2,000–$3,000) to attend the On Aging conference in Atlanta, April 20–23, 2026. A limited number of scholarships are available. [Download a template of a written request for employer support here.]
Tuition Support and Scholarships
We encourage all applicants to seek tuition payment/reimbursement from their employer and employer support for travel to On Aging. In cases where the cost of tuition is a burden for either the employer or the individual, a limited number of tuition scholarships are available. Candidates must demonstrate a level of financial need that would make ASA RISE tuition a barrier to participation in the program. Eligibility for a tuition scholarship includes, but is not limited to, self-paying individuals or individuals employed by a nonprofit organization. The opportunity to request tuition assistance will be provided as part of the program acceptance process and will require the completion of a short application.
A Vision of the Future
We believe that leadership for a just aging society must be as diverse, bold and resilient as the communities we serve. ASA RISE empowers leaders of color to reclaim their power, honor their communities, and transform the systems that shape aging.
Your Leadership is Needed Now
The future of aging is multiracial, multicultural, and intergenerational. ASA RISE is your invitation to shape that future—with integrity, vision, and community.
Meet ASA RISE Alumni
ASA RISE Alumni Voices
Check out this collection of powerful Generations articles written by ASA RISE Alumni. Supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, these pieces reflect the impact of ASA RISE and our shared commitment to a more inclusive future for older adults.
Testimonials
ASA RISE is made possible by generous support from our funders
