Advance Your Career with AHS at The 2025 Emerging Leaders and LEAD Programs Now Open
The American Headache Society is proud to offer two professional development programs that empower members to grow as leaders in the field of headache medicine. Applications are now open for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program and the 2025 Leadership in Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program. Both opportunities provide valuable experiences in leadership, mentorship, and Society engagement, each with its own focus and format.
Emerging Leaders Program 2025
Applications for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program (LEAD) opened on Monday, August 4. This competitive program is designed to support early-career members who are eager to become more involved with AHS and play an active role in the future of headache medicine.
The 2025 program will kick off on Wednesday, December 3, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, in conjunction with the 2025 Scottsdale Headache Symposium®. Participants will receive complimentary registration and paid expenses for both the Scottsdale Headache Symposium and the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting. Each participant will be assigned a group project, with results to be presented to the AHS Board of Directors in June 2026 at the Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Through this longitudinal program, participants will learn about opportunities within the Society — such as Committees, Special Interest Groups, and Task Forces — and take part in targeted leadership development activities, including a team-based project. Program participants will work closely with project mentors who are leaders in the Society and in the field of headache medicine.
Eligible applicants must be AHS members in good standing for at least one year and must have completed a training program or terminal research degree within the past seven years. Current residents and fellows are not eligible. Participants must commit to attending the kickoff session, the Scottsdale Headache Symposium, the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting, and a Virtual Mid-Year Forum. As Dr. Green, Neurologist and Associate Program Director at Mayo Clinic Arizona, explains, “We’re looking for individuals that have shown some leadership potential or leadership experience in other areas outside of the American Headache Society… and have shown some commitment to the American Headache Society already.” Watch the full video to hear Dr. Green share what makes a standout Emerging Leader candidate:
To apply, candidates must complete the online application and submit a letter of interest, CV, and a letter of support from an AHS member in good standing. The letter of interest should outline the applicant’s leadership experience, academic background, and commitment to AHS. Applications are due Sunday, September 14, with final decisions expected on or around Monday, October 6.
In 2024, Emerging Leaders completed two impactful team-based projects. One explored the role of AHS in the certification process for headache medicine, reviewing models from other subspecialties and evaluating opportunities for AHS to contribute. The second project focused on improving the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of migraine in primary care. Participants represented institutions such as the University of Washington, Mayo Clinic Arizona, and Indiana University School of Medicine, with support from dedicated AHS mentors. View past ELP projects and participants here.
2025 Leadership in Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program
The Leadership in Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program is designed to foster advocacy skills and engagement in health policy among AHS members. The 2025 program will also kick off on Wednesday, December 3 in Scottsdale, Arizona, in conjunction with the 2025 Scottsdale Headache Symposium, and is open to AHS members who want to make a difference through advocacy at the national and local levels.
Participants will attend in-person training that explores the structure of government, the legislative process, and how to effectively advocate for headache-related issues. The program focuses on building confidence and communication strategies to help participants become strong voices for headache patients, providers, and researchers. Participants will also work to develop an advocacy project over a 2-year longitudinal timeframe, the results of which will be presented virtually to the AHS Board of Directors in Spring 2027.
Eligible applicants must be AHS members in good standing for at least three years and must be 7+ years in clinical practice with a strong interest in practice management and/or advocacy. Participants must commit to attending the kickoff session, the Scottsdale Headache Symposium, and 2026 Headache on the Hill in-person, plus attending virtual events as assigned.
To apply, candidates must complete the online application and submit a CV, letter of support speaking to the leadership potential and interest in advocacy of the applicant, and both a personal statement and advocacy project proposal up to 500 words. Applications are due Sunday, September 14, with final decisions expected on or around Monday, October 6.
The most recent LEAD Program included interactive sessions on policy and advocacy, breakout discussions, and opportunities for participants to connect with leaders across the Society. Participants gained valuable skills in translating clinical experience into meaningful advocacy that supports the broader goals of headache medicine. As Dr. Scott Turner, a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Alabama Nursing School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology, shared in his latest video, “I think being a clinician, you offer a much more significant voice because you speak not only as an individual person, but also for all of the patients that you represent.” This emphasis on patient-centered advocacy is at the heart of LEAD’s mission. The program equips participants to speak with authority, compassion, and impact. View past LEAD projects and participants here and watch the full video from Dr. Turner:
Whether your interests lie in organizational leadership or public advocacy, these AHS programs offer meaningful ways to grow professionally and give back to the field. We invite all eligible members to apply and look forward to welcoming the next class of leaders.