Seven Selected For Delta Leadership Institute Program

Seven Arkansas residents have been named to participate in the 2015-16 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy, officials said Friday. The seven, part of a group of 52 people from eight states, started the program this week with an orientation session in Memphis.

The group from Arkansas include:
• Andrea Allen of Jonesboro, deputy chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro

• Jessica DeLoach Sabin of Little Rock, executive director, Arkansans for the Arts

• Robert Moery of Carlisle, liaison, office of Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

• Abby Olivier of Little Rock, community relations manager, Clinton School Center on Community Philanthropy

• Trudy Redus of Pine Bluff, manager, Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation

• Wesley Ward of Lake City, Secretary of Agriculture, Arkansas Agriculture Department

• Peggy Wright of Forrest City, instructor, Political Science Department, director, Delta Studies Center, Arkansas State University.

Each person was nominated by their respective governors to participate in the year-long leadership training program.

Over the course of the Executive Academy program, participants will attend six sessions across the region and in Washington, D.C., to engage in advocacy training, case study discussions, and on-the-ground field experiences of priority issue areas for the region including workforce training and education, small business and entrepreneurship, public health, transportation and infrastructure, and culture and tourism. The fellows represent community leaders in local and state government, economic development, education and healthcare, business and industry, faith-based and non-profit organizations.

“Our communities and region need strong local leadership to continue to grow and thrive. This is why DRA has made investing in our region’s leaders a priority,” DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill said. “I’m very proud of this class and what they have already accomplished in their own communities. DLI will only further prepare them to continue the great work they’re doing and enhance it through regional collaboration and a strong network of Delta leaders.”

Since 2005, the DLI has worked to improve the decisions made by community leaders across the Delta by broadening their understanding of regional issues, building a corps of alumni that have a regional and national perspective, developing a toolkit of resources for addressing issues facing their local communities, and providing the training and professional development needed to extend the pipeline of skilled local leadership within Delta communities.

“It’s always exciting to see the new class come together for the first time at orientation. Each year we strive to provide an educational and meaningful experience for our participants, and this year is no different,” said Amanda Richardson, director of the Delta Leadership Institute. “The leaders from our region that comprise this year’s class are exceptional, and I look forward to seeing how they collaborate throughout the year and beyond DLI.”