A circular graphic with the words 'KIND LEADERSHIP' around the edges and an illustration of five people, with one in the center raising a fist, symbolizing leadership and unity.

Kind Leadership

Empowering high school student leaders to create positive change for a kinder tomorrow.

What is Kind Leadership?

Kind Leadership is a four-year, self-paced entrepreneurial program for high school students that builds emotional health & leadership skills through a combination of mentorship & asynchronous activities, including:

  • Building Real-Life Passion Projects

  • Strengthening Resume and College Applications

  • Becoming a Confident Public Speaker

  • Accessing Unique Mentoring Opportunities

  • Engaging with the Community

Sign Up for the 2026-2027 Kind Leadership Program

Kind Leadership Summit

Each year of KL culminates in our annual Kind Leadership Summit: an exciting day where Kind Leaders pitch their Passion Project to a live audience. This includes a paneled judge of business leaders and luminaries, who offer feedback and supportive guidance before selecting the annual Summit Winner.

2025-2026 Kind Leader Summit Winners

Young man in light-colored dress shirt giving a presentation with a microphone in front of a blue screen display.

Sign Up Today!

We can't wait to meet you! Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Kind Leaders Program!

We’re thrilled to welcome inspiring Kind Leaders into our current cohort. As part of the application process, you’ll be invited to an interview so we can get to know you better.

Sign up for the 2026-2027 Program

Program Format

Did you Know?

Icon of a light bulb with lines indicating illumination.

Teens consider…

  • - Pursuing a passion

  • - Self-expression

  • - Positive adult relationships

  • …all highly important to good mental health.

Read About Teens' Perception of Mental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kind Leadership is a self-paced entrepreneurial program for high school students designed to develop strong leadership skills, kindness & empathy, and business knowledge.

    Kind Leaders will:

    • Create & develop a passion project of their choosing

    • Learn from influential community guest speakers at monthly meetings

    • Utilize a bank of mental health content, leadership teachings, & business development resources in Google classroom

    • Have access to teachers, coaches & mentors along their journey

  • Kind Leaders have the flexibility to choose volunteer opportunities that align with their interests and skills. These can include working with local charities, community centers, or even starting their own initiative.

  • Your Kind Leadership project should resonate with you! Targeting a cause you are passionate about, your project should also address a specific need or issue within your community. It should ideally align with the principles of kindness and positively impact those around you.

  • The program is available to complete remotely, since the monthly meetings are virtual. However, the practice Summit & Summit are in person events in Austin. Students outside of Austin may choose to participate virtually in Summit or opt out.

  • This program equips you with practical leadership & business skills and encourages you to approach leadership with a focus on kindness and empathy. It helps you develop the ability to inspire and motivate others positively, as well as better your own community.

  • Kind Leadership is a self-paced program designed to span four years. Each year builds on the previous year's knowledge and advances the student's passion project. Modules are purchased one year at a time. Students can complete all four modules or just the number corresponding to the remaining years of high school. For example, a high school junior would complete only 2 modules.

  • Kind Leadership covers a range of topics including communication, social awareness, self-management, thinking as a leader, and inquiry skills. The program is designed to spark creativity through independent endeavors, while also building strategies for leading through kindness.

  • You will have dedicated TKC mentors who will guide you through the program, help track your volunteer hours and project development, and provide feedback on your leadership journey. Materials will be housed in Google Classroom.

  • Yes! Engaging in meaningful volunteer work, spearheading a personal passion project, and completing leadership skills can stand out on college applications, showcasing your commitment to personal growth and community betterment.

  • Although recommended, it is not necessary to complete all four years of the program. However, the deeper you dive in, the more opportunity for growth. Each year offers very exciting ways to foster your personal journey of Kind Leadership. Our program is designed for high school-level students and your Kind Leadership journey can begin in any high school grade.