In a world increasingly plagued by division, the Anti-Defamation League’s Glass Leadership Institute (GLI) is quietly transforming young professionals into powerful agents of change. With a tailored seven-week program in the Heartland region, this initiative is equipping a new generation committed to fighting antisemitism, dismantling bias, and fostering unity across St. Louis and beyond. From boardrooms to classrooms, GLI alumni are leading the charge in building a more just and inclusive world—and it all starts here.
Shaping leadership, creating impact
ADL Heartland Regional Director Jordan Kadosh highlighted the program’s success, sharing that its influence reaches far beyond the institute itself.
“ADL Heartland’s last three board chairs are products of this program,” said Kadosh. “Our current board chair, Lauren Brenner, has leveraged the expertise gained from GLI to lead the ADL Heartland Regional Board through the post-Oct. 7 wave of antisemitic incidents. She continues to ground our work in ADL’s core belief that bias is universal and that learned biases can be unlearned enabling anyone to challenge their own problematic beliefs.”
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Adapting to local needs
While GLI is a national program, the Heartland region has tailored its approach to meet the unique demands of its community.
“We’ve condensed what is traditionally a nine-month program following the school year calendar into seven weeks,” said Kadosh. “We know how busy people are and try to make it as frictionless as possible for folks to join and get the most out of the experience.”
This streamlined format makes the program more accessible, allowing busy professionals to participate without compromising their other responsibilities.
Amplifying the mission
The program’s impact is amplified through its alumni who bring their newfound expertise to various community sectors.
“GLI alumni tend to follow the 80/20 rule,” Kadosh explained. “Twenty percent of alumni join to become involved with ADL directly but 80% take what they learn back to partner organizations such as schools, congregations or government agencies to better inform their collaboration with ADL in the future.”
This ripple effect strengthens partnerships and ensures that GLI’s mission reaches far and wide.
Why it matters
As hate and antisemitism continue to rise, programs like GLI provide critical tools to combat these challenges. With its tailored approach and impactful alumni network, ADL Heartland’s Glass Leadership Institute is building a community of leaders dedicated to creating a more just and inclusive world.
For more information on GLI or to nominate a participant for the upcoming cohort, visit ADL Heartland’s website.
