2026 GEN D Ignite Application
The application deadline is March 20, 2026
Gen D Ignite is a seven-month-long educational program for early career professionals who are looking to grow their leadership skills, expand their personal and professional networks and more deeply engage in the Dayton community.
This program will kick off with an overnight retreat and will conclude with a one-day closing retreat and launch ceremony. The class will meet each month for a full-day experience that includes professional development workshops, leadership sessions with local business leaders, hands-on education sessions, coaching and more.
Topics will include themes, such as, strategic thinking, civic engagement & civil discourse, leading with authenticity & influence, diversity, equity & inclusion, mental health & well-being & personal branding.
Each class will have the opportunity to dive deeply into a community volunteer project that will be part of each day session. The project will be decided on by the group in an area the group wishes to make an impact on locally.
Each program day is a unique experience that cannot be recreated. Because of this, Gen D Ignite has strict attendance requirements. The participant is required to attend, in their entirety, the opening and closing retreats and program days. In addition, the program participant will be required to participate in their community volunteer project, which may necessitate additional hours outside of the Gen D Ignite program time. If the program participant fails to meet these obligations, he or she will be asked to withdraw from the program and the tuition is non-refundable.
Both the Gen D Ignite applicant and their sponsoring organization must commit to ensuring the applicant can fulfill the requirements of the program.
Required Time Commitment
Participation in Gen D Ignite is a significant commitment of time and energy, including attendance at all retreats (mandatory) and programs.
Program Dates
Please review the dates of the 2026 mandatory retreats and program days below:
| 2026 Dates |
| April 10 - Selection Notifications Emailed |
| May 21-22 - Opening Retreat (Mandatory) |
| June 25 - Day Session |
| July 23 - Day Session |
| August 27 - Day Session |
| September 24 - Day Session |
| October 15 - Closing Retreat & Launch Ceremony (Mandatory) |
Fees:
Non-Refundable Tuition for Chamber Members: $2,000 (due no later than May 1, 2026)
Non-Refundable Tuition for Non-members: $3,500 (due no later than May 1, 2026)
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