APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 LOPEZ FELLOWSHIP

WHAT IS THE LOPEZ FELLOWSHIP?

Created by Hernan Lopez — founder of Wondery and Owl & Co — and now in its sixth year, the Lopez Fellowship is a five-month program (May to September) designed to give the next generation of professionals from all backgrounds the skills they need to become leaders. Selected applicants will receive mentorship, coaching, and professional training — all at no cost other than their time commitment.

WHO IS IT FOR?

  • Rising stars of all backgrounds currently working in tech, media, entertainment, healthcare, education, finance (VC, PE, banking) and other industries
  • Post-funding entrepreneurs keen to develop new skills and foster valuable industry relationships
  • Curious, engaged individuals who have overcome adversity, are passionate about what they do, and are willing to commit 3 to 4 hours per week to grow personally and professionally

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Fellowship runs May through September and is primarily remote, with sessions conducted via Zoom. Regional in-person gatherings are scheduled in New York and on the West Coast in late June, with a final meeting in Los Angeles in September that includes Fellowship alumni. Fellows cover their own travel and lodging for in-person gatherings.

WHAT WILL YOU GET?

  • A personalized career development program and bi-weekly coaching sessions with your dedicated coach, Cindy Shove
  • Mentoring and strategy sessions — both in group and 1:1 — with Hernan Lopez, tech founders, and industry leaders (past speakers have included senior leaders from the largest media companies and executive search firms)
  • Public speaking training by John Koch, one of the most sought-after coaches in the B2B space
  • Career option assessment and LinkedIn review with Todd Gitlin, Founder/CEO of Safire Partners
  • Curated reading assignments
  • Access to Section, a curriculum to support leading in the age of AI
  • Membership in the Lopez Fellowship Alumni Network, which includes nearly 40 professionals in tech, media, entertainment, healthcare, education, and other fields

WHO CAN APPLY?

All applicants must meet the following criteria: (a) are currently living and working in the U.S., (b) possess a bachelor's degree or higher, (c) have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience with at least: (c1) one promotion, (c2) one job change to a role of higher responsibility, or (c3) are founders or co-founders of a company that's at least a year old and has received some funding. The application will be open from March 24 to April 13.

APPLY NOW

Are you currently living in the US?

Are you currently working?

Do you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher and a minimum of 7 years of professional experience?

Have you been promoted at least once, or moved to another company to take a role of higher responsibility?

Are you a founder or co-founder of a company that’s at least a year old and has received investor funding?

Are you currently managing employees, if so how many?


Please Upload (8MB max per file):

(1) Your Resume

(2) Two-Page Essay: An essay that incorporates the following information: (a) your current role, with emphasis on people and/or projects you manage, company size and description, and industry dynamics; (b) your personal story, including challenges you had to overcome and how you turned them into opportunities; (c) your favorite business book, when you read it and how it impacted you; (d) your short and long-term career goals; (e) what unique experiences or learnings do you plan to contribute to the other fellows in the program.

Note: If your application reads like ChatGPT wrote it, we will notice.

(3) Audio: Please upload an audio recording of your “elevator pitch” - a version of your essay, but in your own voice, and up to 1 minute. (Only mp3 files accepted).

(4) AI Proficiency Test Screenshot: Take the AI proficiency test at proficiencytest.sectionai.com and upload a screenshot (JPG or PNG) showing your score and all of the sub-components. (We're not looking for a specific minimum score, and we are mindful that some of the questions measure your employers' AI adoption more than your own).

(5) OPTIONAL - Letter of Recommendation: If you want to stand out, feel free to upload a brief but genuine letter of recommendation from a current or former boss, peer, client or supplier.


Should I be awarded a Lopez Fellowship, I certify that I am ready, willing, and able to complete all coursework, reading, and listening assignments on time and to the best of my abilities and will dedicate between 3-4 hours per week of my undivided attention to the Fellowship. In addition to engaging fully with my mentors and coaches, I will approach the program with openness, curiosity, and respect.