Alumni Spotlight: Brienne’ Coates

Brienne’ Coates our second alumni spotlight for May is an industrial engineer who works for Home Depot as the IFC Analyst. She is graduate of South Paulding High School (2010),  Spelman College (2015), and Georgia Institute of Technology (2016).  Brienne’ is a member of the inaugural 21st Century Leaders Junior Board of Directors and when asked why she is interested in serving on this board, she says “The 21CL Junior Board is a great initiative and platform to give back to youth in Georgia and share experiences that encourage others to be leaders right where they are. It’s an exciting time to reach out, collaborate, and make a difference today!”

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I wake up to the hustle and bustle of accelerating trucks carrying containers with decorative symbols and bold insignia, often wondering where the freight is going. My current role as logistics analyst in partnership with the world’s largest home improvement retail company allows me to support the operational and inter-modal efficiency of shipping freight across the U.S. to ensure on-time delivery to our stores, and valued customers. Collaborating with vendors, dedicated partners, and on-site teams to reduce transit time, maintain roadway safety practices, and initiate more savings is the objective. Additionally, servicing the DIY customer with home goods and power tools to meet their needs results in success sharing. The logistics of coordinating freight enables exponential growth performance by focusing on improving vendor and carrier relationships with emphasis on engagement, support, and compliance. To my delight, fuzzy logic is the crux of data analytics when it comes to transporting freight.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Participating in a 21st Century Leaders summer leadership institutes helped open my eyes to the possibilities of leadership. Knowing that leadership skills can be developed and nurtured through a supportive network of peers and experienced professionals is remarkable. When I reflect on my experience with 21CL, I am continuously reminded to take on new leadership roles and engage in the adventure that follows.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

Discussing leadership challenges and development in a 21CL program prepared me for the next step of taking on leadership roles. In further consideration, it was the guidance, and encouragement from the staff, volunteers and peers which really helped to create a memorable and fun experience that got me excited about becoming a transformational leader in my community. I also gained a better understanding of how leadership spans across networks of people and systems for a bigger purpose. Having toured the facility of a primary electric utility company which supplies power to millions, my perspective was shaped by this experience. It inspired me to customize my leadership journey and maximize opportunities in higher education and professional development.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in 21CL’s 2009 EarthCare summer leadership institute at Berry College in Rome, GA.  I improved my soft skills and enjoyed interacting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Interestingly, taking part in a life-sized obstacle course exercise made me realize the importance of team work, momentum and agility in overcoming real-life challenges.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

Being involved in the environmental leadership challenge focused on reducing energy consumption and collaboratively delivering a winning proposal was a memorable ‘aha’ moment. In sharing the journey with other self-motivated individuals, I continue to embrace leadership skills and develop confidence in my ability to communicate and lead others effectively.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Yes, assisted by the workshops and tours provided by 21st Century Leaders, my leadership style has ­­­been influenced through networking with other student leaders and positive role models. By practicing bridge-building leadership, I am a more effective leader. As a 21CL alumna, I realized that leadership skills learned and activated today creates wisdom for effective leadership tomorrow.

 

Alumni Spotlight: Liesel Stanhope

Liesel Stanhope is our second alumni spotlight for April; a graduate of Chamblee High School (1998), of Duke University (2002), and of American University Washington College of Law (2011). She previously served in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuke) in Japan for five years and is currently a practicing attorney. Liesel is a member of the inaugural 21st Century Leaders Junior Board of Directors and when asked why she wanted to serve on the Junior Board she says: “I really enjoyed this program and have very fond memories. I met so many people who were different than me and led different lives than me and now (20 years later) I think that this may have been one of the most valuable parts of my education”.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now:
I work remotely as an attorney negotiating contracts between private equity firms. This is an amazing position for me because my husband is in the Navy and not only does this allow me to take my work with me when we move, but it allows me to spend more time with my kids while they are small and have time to spend theirs with me.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?
I have had an unusual career path and looking back I think that the most important thing I gained from 21CL was the awareness that there are different types of leadership styles for different people and for different situations. I went to college on an ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy when I graduated. As a division officer on a forward deployed guided missile cruiser, less than a year out of college, I was responsible for the maintenance and deployment of the missiles on the ship. I didn’t fit into the mold of a typical naval officer and my time with 21CL allowed me to confidently forge my own leadership style in this challenging real world environment.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?
(said in an old geezer’s voice) There was only one program when I went to 21CL! (back to my normal voice) In addition to an awareness of different types of leadership styles I really enjoyed meeting a diverse group of kids from across Georgia. I was also always really impressed with the involvement of business leaders in the program. Now that I am a working parent I understand how important time is and the time that the members of Atlanta’s business community put into the program reminds me that it does take a village to raise kids and I try to live up to the standard that those leaders set.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL
I have many fond memories of 21CL, but I can’t think of an aha! moment. I enjoyed every camp that I attended, but it was hard for me to realize the importance of what I learned there until I was faced with my own leadership challenges. I think that this awareness also allowed me to figure out what successful (and not so successful) leaders were doing around me.

Alumni Spotlight: Tavari Turner

Tavari Turner, our first alumni spotlight for April, is the Director of Grants and Special Initiatives at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattahoochee Valley. Tavari serves on the inaugural 21CL Junior Board of Directors and says that serving there will be a great first step for him to giving back to an organization that provided him a dynamic opportunity to learn new leadership skills and interact with different professionals in the community.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am currently serving as the Director of Grants & Special Initiatives for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley. In this role I support the organization in raising funds via cultivation of public and private foundations who support our programs and services. In this role, I also support the management and compliance of over 1.5 million dollars in federal funds. In addition to my fundraising role, I also support the organization in several special initiatives including our Youth of the Year program which recognizes the Clubs’ shining stars and culminates in a huge awards night and fundraiser.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Participating in 21CL transformed me because it taught me some very critical leadership skills at an early age. One critical skill was the importance of teamwork when trying to meet a goal. I am sold on the importance of utilizing a team when working toward goals and it has guided me well in the early stages of my career.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL prepared me for my next steps in college because I was prepared with the Leadership skills needed for college such as collaboration and communication. I learned a lot about myself and my personal leadership style which allowed me to work in a groups and to voice my opinion and not force my opinion.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

21st Century Leaders – Leadership Unplugged 2012 ; I learned a lot about collaboration and communication skill building. I have implemented several of these skills and ideals in my personal and professional life. I continue to be amazed at the growth and opportunities that have come to me because of my involvement in 21CL.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

The dinner held at CNN was an ‘aha’ moment for me. I was so fascinated with the opportunity to speak with professionals from different industries and discuss how leadership and the skills we learned during the program have played a practical role in their careers. There were many fun and engaging opportunities like this during the program experience.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader, if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

21CL helped me develop leadership style that has guided me through my career thus far. I have learned to be a servant leader whether leading or being a participant in a project. I understand the true power of collaboration and serving others in a positive manner.

Alumni Spotlight: Delaney Strunk

Our second spotlight for the month of February is Delaney Strunk, a graduate of Roswell High School (2013) and of Georgia State University (2017). She works for CNN as an Associate Producer on the Mobile Programming team at CNN. Delaney participated in the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute in 2012 and says that nothing prepared her more for future career interviews than that workshop. Read more…

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now. 

I am an Associate Producer on the Mobile Programming team at CNN.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

The first time I ever stepped foot in the CNN Center in Atlanta was during my 21CL program. I can still remember the electricity I felt when looking at the newsroom for the first time. Spending the week talking with employees and learning about their work process helped reaffirm my decision to pursue a degree in journalism. I was on the fence about where I wanted to attend college, but staying in Atlanta for the week helped me realize there was no other place I wanted to be than downtown, so I went to Georgia State University.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

Not only did 21CL help me with my fear of public speaking, but I learned quickly how to network effectively. It’s not about how many business cards you can get in one networking event, it’s about forming personal connections with new people. Going into college I focused on diving deeper into the projects I was already committed to, as opposed to racking up as many “resume friendly” projects as I possibly could.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute in 2012. I still think about our elevator pitch training to this day. Nothing prepare me more for future career interviews than that workshop.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

This may be an incredibly niche experience, but I truly think about this moment almost once a week. During 21CL I had fire engine red hair (I’ve always been a bit eccentric) and I also took my nose piercing out for the week because of the dress code rules of the program. I remember making a side comment to one of the CNN Student News employees about feeling a little out of place professionally because my look was a little more out there. Well, the night of the dinner the employee made sure to introduce me to a coworker who had tattoos, multiple piercings and dyed hair. That small little gesture allowed me to see myself at the company. I no longer felt out of place. It made me feel like maybe one day I could actually become a CNN employee. I know that may seem small, but here I am now as a CNN employee!

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

More than anything, 21CL taught me that a leader is nothing without their team. I think in high school it was really easy to get caught up in trying to be the best, and while a leader should always strive to succeed, it shouldn’t be in a selfish way. When you focus on personally succeeding you forget about the people around you. I think the group project aspect of the week really helped solidify how working effectively together with others is a form of leadership.

Alumni Spotlight: Caleb Britt

Caleb Britt is our first spotlight for the month of February! A graduate of Shorter University (2017) and of Newnan High School (2013), he currently works as Market Coordinator & Digital Content Producer at Serenbe. Caleb says that 21st Century Leaders inspired him to be an organized person who stands out and goes an extra mile, and a leader who values teamwork and relationships. Read on…

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I’m the market coordinator and digital content producer at Serenbe. Some of my responsibilities include coordinating the weekly farmers’ market and creating videos, emails and social content.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I learned the importance of being confident and creative. The program exposed me to multiple areas of media and how it’s produced. I enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes work and creativity that goes into showcasing a person or a product. I carry these traits with me daily as I work to produce content that drives awareness.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL showed me how to be an organized person who stands out and goes the extra mile. Every person I encountered in 21CL was extraordinary, and that motivated me to strive for excellence in everything I do. I also learned that leaders get comfortable with being outside of their comfort zone. It’s important to be open to new opportunities that will expand your thinking.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in Leadership Plugged-In in 2012 and was member of the Youth Advisory Board (now Youth Ambassadors) from 2012 to 2013.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? ( a particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

My “aha” moment came in 2013 when I introduced the 20 Under 20 emcee and CNN Student News anchor Carl Azuz. That was my first time speaking in front of a large crowd of people I didn’t know. I was nervous in that moment, but I saw that I had support all around as my fellow Youth Advisory Board members cheered me on from the time I walked on stage to the time I walked off.  I also learned that leadership doesn’t have an age limit. It was inspiring to learn about how people my age and younger were doing great things in their communities.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Most definitely! 21CL inspired me to be a leader who values teamwork and relationships. I learned that being a great leader involves being a great listener. It’s important to take everyone’s ideas into consideration because they bring different perspectives to the table.

Alumni Spotlight: Naomi Keitt

We are happy to feature 21CL Alumna Naomi Keitt, who is currently an anchor for FOX23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this alumni spotlight, she shares about how 21st Century Leaders helped to solidify her childhood dreams of being a TV reporter and news anchor. Naomi is a graduate of North Cobb Christian School (2009) and of the University of Georgia (2013).

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am currently the weekend morning anchor for FOX23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I also contribute to our weekday morning show as a reporter.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders helped equip me with the confidence to know I could pursue my dreams. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a TV reporter and anchor. As a participant of the 21st Century Leaders program I got to experience behind the scenes of television news in high school which helped solidify my dreams to pursue this career.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21st Century Leaders gave me a head start on presenting myself confidently and with poise. It also brought me out of my comfort zone with meeting new people which helped tremendously as I started connecting with different groups in college.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I took part in Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now the Turner Voices Youth Media Insititute) during the summer of 2008. I was heading into my senior year of high school and the summer leadership institute helped expose me to my current career. I learned about diversity in newsrooms, why storytelling is important and how to be an advocate.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

My ‘aha’ moment came when we had to give a presentation at the end of the program. It was a group of us that collaborated together. It showed me teamwork which is vital to what I do now, and also helped me tremendously in college. It also showed me that as a teenager I could present confidently in front of a group of adults.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

21st Century Leaders helped me lead through action. Instead of sitting back and letting other people do the work, the program taught me to be alongside my peers in being able to effectively and successfully complete tasks. The program helped me develop my leadership style which continues to help me thrive in my work life right now.

Alumni Spotlight: Derik Guyton

Derik Guyton is our first alumni Spotlight for the month of December. He works as IT Support Specialist Level II at TSYS Midtown Atlanta. He is a graduate of Langston Hughes High School (2013) and of Georgia Gwinnett College (2017). Derik was also one of our Georgia Youth Leadership Award winners in 2013. He says that building strong networks is one of the most valuable skills he gained from 21CL. Read On…    

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am employed with TSYS as a Technical Support Specialist Level II at our Midtown Atlanta office.  It is here that I provide hardware and software support to our executive and clients while on site where issues can range from telecom and PC support to networking related issues.  I also complete a variety of contract work for technology based companies like Dell and NCR in my spare time.

 How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

I first entered this program as a senior in high school with my own idea for a business.  Joining this program gave me the chance to be a part of Emory business competitions; with the “Shark Tank” like premise and conversing with other like minded individuals, my eyes were opened to what it takes to become a business owner.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

Building a network is one of the most valuable skills one can harness and I was now finding myself in front of people who could broaden my way of thinking, provide direction and act as a sounding board for ideas and concepts.  With all of that, I can say that earning the title “20 under 20” (Georgia Youth Leadership Awards) for the year 2013 resonated with me and gave me more motivation which carries with me today.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I’ve always been more of an extrovert; being selected as a Georgia Youth Leadership Award winner gave me more focus in using that skill to create a network that reached much further than I could have hoped for; I was able to improve my communication skills in areas and also just make sure that I am an asset to those who I am building the network with to ensure a mutual gain.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

It is one thing to read about success stories and successful people in articles or witness it on television but it is a whole different appeal when you are walking amongst these individuals and their stories in person.  I made sure that I followed their advice and in doing so, I saw things really begin to grow the way I envisioned and I hoped to have some of those same stories to share with others.

Derik recently got back involved with 21st Century Leaders serving as a volunteer at our 2018 Leaderboard charity golf outing with the desire of working more with our students and the rest of the alumni network.

Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Benford

Taylor Benford is our second Alumni Spotlight for November 2018! She works as a Senior Consulting Analyst at Accenture  and is a graduate of Howard University (2016) and of Whitefield Academy (2012). Taylor says that participating in 21st Century Leaders gave her a strong foundation for becoming a transformative leader throughout her college years and as a young professional.  For her, it’s never too early to start giving back!  Read on…

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now

I’m currently a Senior Consulting Analyst at Accenture where I’m in the Consulting Development Program. Specializing in Finance Analytics, my project experience ranges with clients in a variety of industries from Public Service to Communications.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Participating in 21st Century Leaders armed me with the foundations of becoming a transformative leader in collegiate and professional settings. I am deeply grateful for the guidance that I received – from understanding the importance of advocating for myself and others to learning appropriate business casual attire. This guidance led me to joining a professional business fraternity, obtaining multiple internships, and entering my senior year of college with an accepted job offer. As a young professional, my leadership skills have carried me where inexperience may have created adversity.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL provided me with the confidence and reassurance that I needed to pursue leadership opportunities when I started college. During my freshman year at Howard University, I was elected as Treasurer of the School of Business Freshman Council and was admitted into the Freshman Leadership Academy. I can definitely trace the refinement of my soft skills, such as public speaking and effective networking, back to my 21CL roots.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

I participated in Leadership Plugged-In (now TVYMI) in 2011, during the summer before my senior year of high school. Learning how to work collaboratively, speak with poise regardless of audience, and understanding the influence of technology on business at Leadership Plugged-In has been a catalyst in my success. Also, having the opportunity to present to Turner executives in high school has definitely made it easier for me to present to C-suite client executives at work today.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

The most memorable moment for me was meeting so many amazing people from across Georgia. The entire week of Leadership Plugged-In we encouraged each other, worked tirelessly to complete our presentations, and built lasting connections. I recall being in awe of how ambitious and passionate everyone was. Iron sharpens iron and I returned to school that fall with a renewed spark. I still keep in contact with many people from that summer and truly value that experience.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

I believe that one of my key strengths is my ability to create genuine connections with people from all backgrounds and levels. During Leadership Plugged-In, we had to seek feedback from Turner executives as well as our counselors to produce a successful business case presentation. I strive to be a 360-degree leader who successfully leads themselves, leads upwards, leads across peers, and leads downwards. Staying in contact with 21CL over the last 7 years has afforded me many opportunities to volunteer. No matter where you are in your career, it’s never too soon to start giving back!

Alumni Spotlight: Peyton Callanan

Our second Alumni Spotlight for the month of October is Peyton Callanan who is the Marketing Manager at 360 Smart Networks, and is a graduate of Effingham County High School (2010) and of Georgia Southern University (2014). Peyton strongly believes that having a mentor you count on and who gives good advice and constructive criticism plays a very important role in one’s professional success. Read on to find out more on what she has learned about leadership and how 21CL influenced her career direction.

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

I am the marketing manager for a boutique IT company that provides IT solutions including security, backup, support and special projects to small and medium businesses in Metro Atlanta. I help generate leads for our sales team by managing our website, branding, advertising, social media, email and direct mail campaigns, and creating content for our blog.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders exposed me to a wide variety of career paths and gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from professionals in those fields. It also helped build my confidence and motivated me to go after the career I wanted.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

I went to high school in a pretty rural area. 21st Century Leaders was one of the first experiences I had connecting and collaborating with other ambitious students outside of my small circle of friends. I was inspired by the time I spent working with and learning from the other students, especially ones from different backgrounds I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

That experience made the transition into college less jarring. It also motivated me to join student organizations so I could be involved on campus and meet new people.

Which programs did you participate in, and when?

I did Leadership Unplugged (now known as the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute) in 2009.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional, etc.?)

I have two!

Prior to attending Leadership Unplugged, I thought I was going to major in journalism in college. There was a marketing panel that week that really sparked my interest and led me to consider that as a career path. I don’t remember exactly what the panelists said, but I do remember hearing one man explain his career and thinking, “that’s what I want to do and I never had the words for it before.”

I came back as part of the Summer Leadership Team right after I graduated college. During the leadership dinner at Earthcare, all of the panelists agreed unanimously that having a mentor they could count on to give them good advice and constructive criticism played a huge role in their professional success. That always stuck with me as I began my own career after college. I am very appreciative of the guidance my mentors have given me and how that has shaped me as a person.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader today, how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

I am a big believer in teamwork and collaboration. My summer leadership program was one of the first experiences I had collaborating on a project with peers and the memory of being proud of what we had created together really stuck with me.

Recently, I realized that you have lead by example because you never know who you have an impact on. I am striving to be more generous with my time, kind with my words and confident in my work.

Alumni Spotlight: Kaitlin Martin

This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Kaitlin Martin, who shares about her leadership journey and the skills acquired from 21st Century Leaders that helped her excel in her leadership roles. She currently works as a Business Analyst at MarketSource, and is a graduate of Northview High School (2009) and of Georgia State University (2013). Here is what she has to say:

Paint a brief picture of what you are doing now.

Currently, I am a Business Analyst at MarketSource where I work closely with the Corporate Innovation Team to develop key performance indicators, data visualizations, and reporting solutions for the different departments within the organization. One of my favorite parts of my role is being able to leverage my creativity to develop solutions to complex problems. I am currently learning how to incorporate agile concepts onto our team and how doing so will make our department more efficient overall. I have also had the opportunity to mentor and coach our summer interns, including a current 21st Century Leader member, Maya Ellison.

How did participating in 21CL transform you and lead you to where you are now?

Since graduating from Georgia State University, I have had the opportunity to work at Walt Disney World, GEICO, and MarketSource, an Allegis Group Company. 21st Century Leaders equipped me with the skill set I needed to help me excel in each of my roles. One of the most important skills I learned from the program was to always have a growth mindset. It’s incredibly important to be open to coaching and feedback and to make the effort to incorporate what you’ve learned. There is always room to improve and you can learn something new from each individual you encounter throughout your professional career.

And how did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What skills/tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL set me up for success by helping develop confidence, critical thinking, and a professional presence. This coaching was extremely valuable in helping me get comfortable speaking in front of executive leadership, analyzing situations to make informed decisions, and working effectively with a team. These skills helped me immensely throughout college as well as my professional career. Additionally, I’ve learned that having a positive attitude is one of the most important soft skills you can bring into an office. You can’t always control the situation, but you can control your reaction towards it, which can make or break your overall career.

Which programs did you participate in, and when? What skills did you gain or improve through those programs?

My favorite program I participated in was the Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit where we got to design a shoe for Nike. This experience sparked my creativity and solidified my desire to major in Marketing. From this summit, I learned valuable presentation, networking, and innovative ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking skills that I’ve taken with me throughout my career.

What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting professional and diverse peers, speaking in public for the first time, etc.?)

During the Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit, we had the opportunity to network with executives from Fortune 500 companies across the region. I learned that most people are happy to share with you the lessons they’ve learned from their professional experiences. This experience gave me the confidence to seek out mentors who can help further guide my professional career and ask questions that I may have been afraid to ask before.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!

Absolutely! 21CL helped me develop a leadership style that is collaborative, visionary, and strategic. I learned that empowering others and leveraging individual strengths is one of the best ways to build an effective team. I have also been extremely lucky to have several great mentors who have helped me develop my leadership style as well.