Alumni
We are pleased to announce the GLLA Alumni “Making Waves” outreach campaign. The campaign features alumni and positive testimonials highlighting how GLLA enabled them to lead for the common good and why they would recommend GLLA to others. Each year, alumni will be shown in a spotlight. You can read more about this year's featured alumni below.
In what ways did the Great Lakes Leadership Academy lessons and experiences enable you to have a greater impact as a leader?
The Emerging Leaders program (2010) of GLLA changed my trajectory. I became more curious and determined to continue learning about myself, how to build strong teams, and how to develop processes where people feel valued and engaged. It also really highlighted that leadership is about me. It’s about how I show up and how I interact and react to others. It really set the foundation for me to be a life-long student of leadership.
Share a specific example of something you were uniquely able to do or occurred because of GLLA?
I have trouble answering this question - there was so much! For the first few years after I went through GLLA (seriously!), I pulled out my binder of information at least twice a year to review ideas and tools I had mastered, and which new ones I might try on. I learned a great deal about creating an atmosphere to allow people to bring their ideas to the table. And I learned more about myself, which allowed me to slow down and make space for others. What I gained at GLLA immediately translated into more productive meetings, resulting in better and longer-lasting outcomes.
What would you tell a prospective applicant to inspire them to apply to GLLA?
Apply! If you are truly interested in giving yourself the time and space to grow your leadership skills, this program will support you. It will give you a community to lean on and learn from. Leadership isn’t a position, it’s an approach. And it’s a practice. The Great Lakes Leadership Academy gives you a safe space to practice and deepen your leadership.
In what ways did the Great Lakes Leadership Academy lessons and experiences enable you to have a greater impact as a leader?
My participation in the GLLA was insightful in understanding more about myself, my leadership style and challenged me to consistently work to always grow as a leader. Working through the lessons, I developed a sincere understanding and appreciation of common goals, shared amongst a team with one vision. The Connections and friendships that have resulted from my time with the GLLA are powerful and lasting.
Share a specific example of something you were uniquely able to do or occurred because of GLLA?
As a result of participating in the GLLA, I was prepared for an opportunity that would end up being a memorable time in my professional career. I was selected as the USDA NRCS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program Manager, working in Washington, D.C. where I would work with all the Great Lakes States. During this time, I worked and partnered with a total of 16 Federal Agencies, Canadian officials, and various local and state partners. I feel that GLLA was instrumental in my preparation to undertake such a significant role and in finding success throughout.
What would you tell a prospective applicant to inspire them to apply to GLLA?
The impact of attending the GLLA is beyond measure. The potential to learn, grow and better yourself is boundless. If selected, you will find yourself challenged in meaningful ways that will result in better leadership, time management and self-awareness. Other impactful areas of improvement are often the intangibles like understanding the importance of partnerships or automatically incorporating wellness and emotional intelligence into your leadership style. I would challenge anyone who is considering this opportunity, just do it, you will not regret it.
Staying Connected:
Have you changed jobs or moved since graduating from GLLA? Would you like to opt in and receive communication from GLLA? Keep your information up-to-date by completing our GLLA Alumni Contact Information Survey.
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