Leadership Academy Class Heads Into Home Stretch
Weeks away from wrapping up with its second cohort, the Durham County Leadership Academy has continued its mission to strengthen employee leadership and professional development by creating an inclusive educational environment to cultivate leadership skills regardless of position. “I have gained so much knowledge about my own strengths and weaknesses, insight on how to work effectively with others, and have improved the skills and tools I possess to do my job more productively,” current participant Jannah Bierens said. The 2015 Leadership Academy cohort, which has 21 members, graduates on October 6. The cohort is learning about a variety of topics, including professional accountability and communication. Participants also are participating in volunteer activities such as delivering meals with Meals on Wheels. Finally, members are working on practical group projects such as helping departments prepare business continuity plans and doing a Countywide assessment of the organization's social media presence. Applications for the 2016 Leadership Application cohort will open in October or November. The 2015 participants are: Darius Allen, General Services – Solid Waste Sarah Alverson, Library – Stanford Warren Branch Wynter Arrington, DSS - Adult Crisis Unit Jannah Bierens, Public Health – Health Education Matthew Clobridge, Library – Marketing and Development Nicole Davis, Sheriff’s Office – Detention Services Darrell Faison, Sheriff’s Office – Detention Services Tonia Gay, DSS – Public Assistance Evon Haney, DSS – Public Assistance Andre Hinton, Sheriff’s Office – LEO Services Ravi Kotthuru, IS&T – SAP ERP Services Peri Manns, Engineering & Environmental Services – Project Management Brenda Metters, DSS – Social Services Charlene Nelson, Human Resources – Employment Services Karen Perry, Register of Deeds Vivian Slade, DSS – Public Assistance Randy Tucker, Criminal Justice Resource Center – STARR Program Zandra Turner, Tax Administration Deborah Waterman, Cooperative Extension – Welcome Baby Craig Watson, General Services – Public Buildings Services Laila Watson-El, DSS – Public Assistance
