Launching the Next Generation of Leaders: The 2026 Management and Supervision Fellowship Begins

Management and Supervision Fellows gather during a reflective session.

Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) recently launched the second cohort of its Management and Supervision Fellowship, welcoming a new group of leaders committed to strengthening the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) field. Designed for emerging supervisors and mid-level managers, the Fellowship equips participants with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to lead teams, support staff, and build safer communities across Chicago and beyond.

“We have a cohort of nine men,” said Dr. Vanessa Perry DeReef, Chief Training Officer at MPI. “I believe all of the knowledge sharing, affirmation, and healing in this space is powerful because they have common backgrounds and similar experiences. We are seeing them build community with one another very early. We just see a lot of magic happening in there.”

The Fellowship is intentionally designed to bridge the gap between frontline work and leadership, ensuring those who have dedicated their lives to community safety are prepared to lead others through complex, high-stakes environments.

This year’s cohort brings together leaders from different regions, including Lake County and Chicago, strengthening collaboration across communities and expanding the reach of violence prevention efforts. Fellows meet regularly for classroom sessions, coaching, and more.

But beyond the curriculum, this Fellowship builds a solid network of CVI leaders who often carry the weight of trauma from the communities they serve. During sessions, Fellows reflected on their leadership strengths and areas for growth, while learning to support one another through honest conversation and accountability.

“We invite them to affirm each other in their strengths, but also challenge each other in their ability to grow and to be the leaders that they want to be,” Consultant and Lead Curriculum Writer Dr. Troy Harden shared. “We believe that iron sharpens iron, and here we have an opportunity to nurture men and women who have gone through a lot of different types of experiences to get to a place of leading this work.” 

Facilitators say one of the most inspiring parts of the Fellowship is watching leaders open up to one another and step into their potential. Past Fellows even returned to share their own past Capstone projects with the current cohort.

“These leaders are seasoned and self-aware, and watching them share and grow has been priceless,” said Consultant and Curriculum Writer Danielle Thompson–Davis. “I am excited to see how that growth impacts their teams and empowers their leadership.”

At its core, the MPA Management and Supervision Fellowship invests in people. Strong leaders create strong teams, and strong teams create safer communities.

As the new cohort begins their next chapter over the next six months, Dr. Harden offered a reminder to all in the room: “You have a gift to give to the world.”