In 2009, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) released the MCH Leadership Competencies for MCH interdisciplinary training programs and practicing MCH professionals at the local, state and federal level to support and promote MCH leadership. In 2016-2017, MCHB, in collaboration with Altarum Institute, used a participatory process to review and update these competencies, with emphasis on addressing health equity. We also examined how the MCH competencies build upon other public health competencies including the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals. Initially, MCHB sought feedback from the field on (1) the importance of each competency area for MCH leaders, (2) additional competencies that MCH professionals need, and (3) how MCHB can support future implementation. This input and information were used to guide a 4-month workgroup update process. The workgroup, comprised of representatives from MCH training programs and key MCH stakeholders, reviewed the competencies and recommended changes to ensure the competencies reflected current knowledge areas and skills needed to lead in the MCH field. This session will feature the newly updated set of MCH leadership competencies and how they can be used to train the next generation of MCH leaders. We will specifically highlight the diversity related competencies, including the integration of health equity, cultural and linguistic competence, self-reflection, and inclusion. These critical updates will help ensure that MCH training curricula support mastery in these critical knowledge and skill areas and align with workforce and leadership needs.