Jugaad Leadership Program

“Jugaad” is a Hindi and Punjabi word meaning “innovation.” 

Since 2015, the Jugaad Leadership Program has been a home for emerging BIPOC leaders in St. Cloud- where we invest in professional development and community advocacy. 

What does innovation look like at Jugaad? 

It means we learn from our emerging leaders and create programming that is relevant and meaningful to them.  As an organization led by and for people of color, we are building power, agency and influence through strong, diverse and dynamic local coalitions.

Empowered leaders who have a stake in their community- and the means to act - are able to make a difference. 

Jugaad's core program is a 7-month leadership program where we convene a cohort of BIPOC leaders to grow in community with one another- and to build further connections in St. Cloud. 

Cohort Sessions focus on a range of topics : 

Intercultural Communication 

Leveraging community assets

Civic Engagement

Financial Literacy

Resume writing and interviewing

Strategic thinking & planning

Jugaad is changing the face of leadership in St. Cloud. 

Our leaders have global perspectives and come from many countries. Jugaad events and celebrations serve dual-purposes as opportunities for intercultural dialog and relationship building. 

Jugaad Alumni served in the following roles:

City of St. Cloud Police Citizens Review Board  •  Great Theatre Board  •  Light the Legacy Board  •  Metro Bus Riders Advisory Committee • Americorps Vista City of St. Cloud  •  Internships with the City of St. Cloud  •  St. Cloud Youth Commission  •  St. Cloud State University Student Government •  Anna Marie’s Alliance Board •  Trillium Family Foundation •  Jugaad Leadership Program Advisory Board  •  St. Cloud Charter Commission  •  Tedx St. Cloud Planning Team•  Great River Regional Library Board •  United Way Board  

Community-focused programs need community support, and we rely on community to sustain our work.  

This year, our Give to the Max Day goal is to engage new and returning individual donors. 

It will take 30 individual donors to grow our community of support for Jugaad. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation in any amount that feels right for you. 

With your support, we can continue to Train, Place and Connect the next generation of emerging BIPOC leaders!