Nominate a Colleague for the Community of Leaders

Strong leaders are often encouraged forward by the people who see their potential firsthand. If you know an infectious diseases or HIV professional who is ready to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their impact, and learn alongside peers from across the healthcare team, nominate them for the IDSA Community of Leaders.

The Community of Leaders is an intensive leadership development experience designed specifically for mid- and senior-career infectious diseases and HIV professionals. Participants examine their leadership behaviors, strengthen communication and conflict-management skills, develop strategies for leading change, receive individualized feedback through a 360-degree leadership assessment, and build relationships within a lasting professional community.

A nomination is a straightforward way to recognize someone’s leadership contributions and encourage them to invest in their continued development.

How Your Nomination Helps

Nominees receive three benefits:

• No separate letter of recommendation is required. Your nomination serves as their professional endorsement, removing an additional step from the application process.
• Their nomination is recognized during application review. Reviewers will know that a peer or colleague in their professional community has identified and endorsed them for the program.
• If accepted, nominees receive $250 off the program registration fee. IDSA offers this discount to recognize the value of professional communities that actively identify, encourage, and support colleagues pursuing leadership development.

Who Should You Nominate?

Consider nominating a colleague who:

• Is a mid- or senior-career infectious diseases or HIV professional;
• Is taking on greater leadership responsibility or seeking to become more effective in an existing leadership role;
• Has demonstrated meaningful service or leadership within their organization, institution, community, or profession;
• Shows curiosity, a commitment to continued growth, and a willingness to reflect on their leadership practice; and
• Would contribute meaningfully to a collaborative cohort of professionals learning with and from one another.

There is no single profile of an ideal Community of Leaders participant. IDSA seeks professionals with varied roles, experiences, perspectives, practice settings, and leadership trajectories.

What You Will Be Asked to Provide

Because nominees do not need to submit a separate recommendation letter, you will be asked to provide information that helps reviewers understand the nominee’s:

• Leadership readiness and contributions;
• Professional context;
• Potential for continued leadership growth; and
• Ability to contribute to and benefit from a collaborative learning environment.

We expect the typical nomination to take 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Once nominated, the individual will be invited to submit their own application to the Community of Leaders.

Make the Nomination

If someone comes to mind, nominate them. Your endorsement can provide both the encouragement and practical support that helps a colleague pursue their next stage of leadership development.

Nominations open September 7, 2026, and close November 27, 2026.