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.

 

Alumni Spotlight: Brent Gills

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Alumni Spotlight: Brent Gills

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This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Brent Gills, who is currently an MA in Management/MIM student at Wake Forest University and founder of The Gills Consulting Group. Brent graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 2009 and has degrees in physics from both Hampton University and Florida A&M. He attended 21CL programs from 2007-2009, including the very first EarthCare, sponsored by Georgia Power.

At 21CL’s annual golf outing, Leaderboard at East Lake, on October 11, 2017, he shared his story about the opportunity given through 21st Century Leaders that led him to his passion for STEM careers and prepared him with skills for fruitful connections. Read his takeaways from being a 21st Century Leader, and his speech to call forth leadership and support for the 21CL community.

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21CL taught me to have the confidence to actually go after the things I wanted. Without actually seeing people face to face that had the types of jobs I’d only read about, it’s hard to imagine yourself in some of those positions. You can say, “I’d like to be a VP or CEO in the future,” but I never truly believed it until I sat down and had a conversation with men and women who sat in those seats. You never know what things from 21CL you’ll actually ever need. I remember being at a Physics conference and actually sitting at the same table as a Nobel Laureate. If it weren’t for the table etiquette (both conversational and utensil) that I learned at camp, and trust me, it was definitely practiced at my home, I probably would have embarrassed myself in front of the people at the table. Instead, I’d had plenty of practice, so I was poised in my delivery.

What was a memorable ‘aha’ moment in 21CL?

I would have to say I had that moment after using a business card that we got at camp one summer. The gentleman I gave it to was so impressed that a young person took the time to have business cards made that he took his time to make sure I was successful during every part of college. That gentleman is still a mentor of mine today.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? What tools and perspectives have helped you along the way?

As I stated earlier, 21CL gave me the confidence I needed to actually know that I can and should be competing with EVERYONE out here no matter where they may come from. I’d been around leaders from all over the state, so when it came to running for Freshman class President or any other elected position while in undergrad, I was prepared. The organization also gave me a bridge into networking and why you actually do it. Learning to network is something that most people don’t get to learn about until they’re much older, and having those experiences in high school made me better prepared than my peers in both undergrad and graduate school.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

I’m slowly learning how to say no. I’m always reading about how that’s the most important thing that effective leaders are good at.

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Brent’s Speech

“What is something that most people take for granted? Family? Time? Well, how about opportunity?—-And it’s a shame that so many of us take opportunity for granted. Because without it, we wouldn’t have the chance to do what we do or have the things we have.

Tonight, we’re not celebrating, but I want you all to see the gravity of the opportunities that you’ve been creating. We’re here so that you can know about the success that this program has had. The 21st Century Leaders Program’s goal is to empower the next generation so that they can encourage the generation behind them to go the extra mile for our world. If it weren’t for the British Physicist (or electrical engineer, whatever you engineers in the room want to refer to him as) Michael Faraday, who came from extremely humble beginnings, getting the opportunity to listen in on lectures and work as Sir Humphrey Davy’s secretary at the Royal Institute of Great Britain, we wouldn’t be enjoying the light that’s enabling all of us to see each other at this very moment. Georgia Power’s business is based on the work of Faraday and other physicists who were obsessed with electromagnetism at the time. While 21st Century Leaders has a goal to uplift the children in our communities, to exude leadership in their everyday lives, I want to set a goal for the rest of us: to never let the next great scientist or leader slip through the cracks.

Now let me take you all on a journey. The year was 2007 (goodness gracious so long ago right?). I was 16, had an un-nurtured love for science, but was known as the class clown because I did not take my future seriously. Then 21st Century Leaders and GA Power gave me the opportunity to attend an environmental sustainability/leadership camp (EarthCare).  What a combination, right? It was perfect for me, because I knew I had an interest in being a scientist, and I had the natural ability to lead teams of people. I learned about power, different sources of energy, leading and working in teams with people who might not look like I do or be from the same Decatur neighborhood as me. I learned about public speaking, business and leadership etiquette, teamwork, and most importantly, networking. I lost my fear of talking to people and asking for advice or help, which in my experience is the most important thing you can ask someone for.

21CL taught me how to seize opportunities, and I brought that with me in 2009 when I was a freshman at Hampton University studying physics but was uncertain, hesitant about my choice because of the stress associated with becoming a scientist… Let me add that when I went on my college visit, a fellow 21st Century Leader alum came along with me, which speaks to the strength of our network. Speaking of networks, I even met my mentor Dr. Ramsey Smith, by giving my 21st Century Leader business card. Dr. Smith, a chemical physicist at NASA, played an instrumental role in my development as a scientist. He said, “Brent, a day should not go by without you researching something for yourself. Think for yourself. Form your own opinions. Verify whatever you’re told.” After that conversation, I was confident in my choice of studying science and caring about the things that I did. I then knew that the time I put into my studies and research would be worth it. I got a chance to work in optics laboratories, do research on dark matter and energy. My eyes opened up because of one opportunity. Using many of the skills that I learned during my tenure as a 21st Century Leader, I was elected as SGA President at Hampton, where we initiated a Green campaign and brought 150% more recycling bins and other sustainability tools to our campus. But it started with opportunity. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book Tipping Point, he stated “small things can make a big difference.” One person who comes through this program can birth new opportunities, just as Michael Faraday did with the field of electromagnetism.

Opportunity is the major difference between a millionaire and a lower middle class American worker, even more so than effort. When someone gets an opportunity, they’re able to make something more of themselves…they’re able to see what’s available to them outside of their daily struggle. They have the choice to be successful or not, instead of their environment making that choice for them. If Robert Smith, the CEO of Vista Equity Partners wouldn’t have been the lucky kid from his town to attend Cornell for a summer engineering program, he wouldn’t have ever known what chemical engineering was, and hold the 5 patents that he holds today. Mr. Smith subsequently attended Columbia Business School and became the founder and chairman of one of the largest private equity firms in the world. If Albert Einstein wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work for the Swiss Patent Office, he wouldn’t have had the scientific background that he had, which means that he probably wouldn’t have theorized the special theory of relativity, which lead to us creating the atom bomb to win WW2 and us being able to use nuclear energy to power entire cities. What would’ve happened if Dr. Einstein wouldn’t have theorized the things he did?

Without opportunity, people cannot succeed. I don’t care how self-made you consider yourself to be…it just wouldn’t happen. I can definitely say that 21st Century Leaders gave me the opportunity to do some of the things I’ve done. I hold two degrees in physics and I’m now working on my MIM at Wake Forest University, while leading a consulting firm that a former professor and I started at the beginning of this year. My consulting firm, The Gills Consulting Group, focuses on STEM consulting and policy, and environmental sustainability, which is something I hold near to my heart.

I know that all of you are here because you care about your communities. You care about this world that we all live in. If it weren’t for people like you all, and Bob Watson, people like me wouldn’t have known the different fields within engineering, or be as concerned with our environment and how it works. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for the opportunities that were awarded to me through this very program. People like you empower others around you to reach higher, do bigger things, to take those extra steps…

Each of you in this room has had a door opened for you. It’s about reciprocating that gesture and making it so that more people can experience the successes that you have. Now, Isaac Newton said that energy cannot be created, nor destroyed. We already have a good bit of energy here in this room with 21st Century Leaders and we have to make it a priority to keep this energy flowing.”

FEEL INSPIRED TO SUPPORT 21CL – CLICK HERE

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Alumni Spotlight: Betts and Chet DeHart

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Alumni Spotlight: Betts and Chet DeHart

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Betts and Chet DeHart are 21-year-olds native to Atlanta. In 2012 they attended 21st Century Leaders’ Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI), a week-long summer institute focused around business leadership, and are now young leaders of their own business!  These two alumni are the founders and owners of Lucid FC, an international fashion brand stocked in boutiques, Urban Outfitters, and online. They’ve been featured in Esquire, Vogue, and The New York Times. They graduated in 2014 from Ben Franklin Academy and Riverwood International Charter School, respectively.

Earlier this month, they hosted a webinar about entrepreneurship in the fashion industry for our #WebinarWednesday series – the recording can be viewed here.

What is your business, Lucid FC, about?

Lucid FC is a young, forward fashion, life, and style curated by 21-year-old twins Betts and Chet DeHart. There are unique details and design in each piece. No products, styles, or labels compare to Lucid FC. From our patterns, to our cuts and fabrics, we create each piece from its start to its end. In our design process, we craft each item with care and honour. Lucid FC is balanced but different, edgy and symmetrical, and powerful yet simple.

Lucid FC was born in and is currently headquartered in Atlanta, yet we constantly create, work and draw inspiration in the streets of New York and London. While present in these cities, we became an international brand. Since the beginning, Lucid FC has become instantly recognizable because of our striking logo. Catching the eyes of each impression, the Lucid FC logo makes and “L” or “F” in every direction. Styles and visuals are a favorite amongst the biggest media outlets and fashion’s elite. Critically acclaimed worldwide, the twins keeps the world watching each season.

At Lucid FC, prep collides with streetwear and creates our signature style. Each product is designed by Chet DeHart, of renowned London fashion school Central Saint Martins. Betts is the business savvy twin that brings the brand to new heights across the world. Chet designs. Betts is all business. Lucid FC is more than just a brand; it represent a whole new generation, the 21st century’s creative sub-culture. Lucid FC is made with love for anyone and everyone. Lucid FC strives to bring forth concepts, products, and awareness to reach the title “superbrand of the new generation.”

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

We have kept relationships with fellow 21CL members. 21CL taught us better more to network and how to be a successful leader. One particular experience that inspired us was doing the  case studies with real life references, and some guest activities during our 21CL program. Being able to experience Coca-Cola’s business so in-depth was very insightful.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?

Getting real life experience, working with professionals and seeing how things work in the big world with leadership and business were a huge help.

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?

21CL prepared us for our bright future by teaching us early on the essential business and leadership skills needed to stay around. It gives real life experience before you can hit the ground with your own feet. It teaches us how to have a voice.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

No matter how small your team is, you can always use more help. In fact, the more people you have, the more leadership you will build and gain. Trust is also important in leadership.

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In their webinar, Betts and Chet go in-depth about their experience as young entrepreneurs, the steps between concept and creation, and the process of growth and persistence.

Check out the Lucid FC lookbook and shop the styles at their website here.

For even more inspiration, check out Lucid FC on social media!

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Alumni Spotlight: Charlese Watson

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Alumni Spotlight: Charlese Watson

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Charlese Watson, owner of HoneyBee Studios, participated in the 21st Century Leaders summer leadership institute program at Savannah State University in 2007. Prior to that, she participated in the inaugural Turner-sponsored summer leadership institute program at GA Tech in 2006. She was also a marketing intern for 21st Century Leaders from 2007 – 2008 (which was “loads of fun!”) and is a volunteer with 21CL. Charlese is a high school graduate of DeKalb School of the Arts and college graduate of Savannah College Art & Design.

Currently, Charlese is focusing on building clientele for her videography company, HoneyBee Studios. She has two brands under her company: the first brand is dedicated to filming weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, and special occasions; the second brand is dedicated to filming promotional videos for corporate clients, music videos, etc. She is continuing to build out her wedding brand, with plans to strategically focus on the corporate brand side in the summer of 2018.

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders gave me lifelong friendships and the leadership skills I needed to pursue and be successful in various positions throughout my college career. 21st Century Leaders also provided me with the confidence needed to go after my dreams and create a life that I enjoy living. The organization taught me how important it is to help those around you and give back when you can.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?

A memorable moment for me was when we had the opportunity to visit Turner Studios and shoot a Public Service Announcement (PSA).

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?

21st Century Leaders taught me how to network and how to work with people of different backgrounds. Both of these tools allowed the transition into college to be smooth for me. With the leadership skills I developed, I was able to secure multiple part-time jobs and leadership positions while in school, which included being an orientation assistant, marketing assistant for the school magazine and newspaper, student ambassador, and first year experience peer mentor, amongst other roles.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

Being a great leader means being of service to the people you lead, caring about their needs and goals, as well as supporting them every step of the way.

What advice or encouragement do you have for 21CL students?

Take the program seriously. Make a ton of connections. Learn all that you can because you never know when you’ll need to pull from your experiences within the organization. Keep in touch with your peers throughout your college career!

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Learn more about HoneyBee Studios and Charlese’s targeted brands at www.honeybee-studios.com  Best wishes, Charlese! Thank you for sharing inspiration with future entrepreneurs like yourself, and we’re sure we will see you soon!

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Alumni Spotlight: Erin Lightfoot

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Alumni Spotlight: Erin Lightfoot

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I never thought I would be responsible for leading over 600 employees at 22 years old. Working for the biggest and coolest online retailer in the world has been an invaluable experience in project management and team development. With two holiday seasons under my belt, I’d say I’m getting the hang of this young professional lifestyle. Now in 2017 and age 24, I’m returning to the Atlanta area to continue my Amazon journey and remain involved in the programs and organizations who helped shape me. Thank you 21CL for empowering me to lead before I knew who or what I’d be leading.

Erin Lightfoot didn’t predict how her experience with 21CL as a high school student would prepare her for a role as Area Manager for Amazon Fulfillment after college, but she knew the experience gave her a foundation. After attending one of 21CL’s week-long summer leadership institutes, Erin sought out places and ways to apply her leadership. Read about her journey and the motivation she shares!

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders introduced me to other bright-minded young people. That one week was the first time I’d left my hometown for a “significant” amount of time for the purpose of leadership development. 21CL planted seeds of confidence, exposure, and focus on my future that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?

My most memorable moment was working with my group members to design an app called ShakeDate. It was one of the first times I created and presented a business plan.

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?

For the rest of my high school career I pursued more leadership opportunities, revamped my high school’s honor society, led the committee for the school’s annual black history show, and landed two internships – one with a U.S. Congressman and one with a neighborhood revitalization group. I thrived in college as well and graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 2015. I was accepted into graduate school but ultimately decided to join Amazon Fulfillment as an area manager for one of their largest distribution centers.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

Recently I’ve re-learned the importance of servant leadership and truly being in touch with the people I am leading. Over the years, I’ve witnessed other leaders become distracted by their titles or become obsessed with metrics instead of focusing on the people they are leading every day. By taking a genuine interest in the people I serve, I find that their morale increases and their performance improves. Everyone wants to be valued, heard, and supported.

What advice or encouragement do you have for 21CL students?

Be YOU! And be proud of who you are! Find joy in whatever career path you choose. If you ever become discouraged along the way, remember you are unique and filled with purpose. Keep in mind what motivates you and put your passions to action.

I actually have the same words of encouragement for professionals: Be YOU! And be proud of who you are! Find joy in whatever career path you choose. If you ever become discouraged along the way, remember you are unique and filled with purpose. Keep in mind what motivates you and put your passions to action.

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Erin attended G5 (now SYLI) at Emory’s Goizueta Business School in the summer of 2010. She is a graduate of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School (’11) and the Georgia Institute of Technology (’15). She spoke at the 2017 Georgia Youth Leadership Awards in February, and students attending SYLI this summer can look forward to meeting her (as well as other alumni) at the 21CL Alumni Networking Roundtables Event!

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Alumni Spotlight: Natasha Walker

Natasha Walker, 21CL Alumna

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]21CL Alumni Spotlight: Natasha Walker[/fusion_title][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 21CL Alumna Natasha Walker, Class of 2012[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]Natasha Walker participated in two summer leadership institutes in high school. She attended EarthCare at Berry College in 2009 and the Summer Leadership Institute at Georgia Southern University in 2010. She also attended 21CL events throughout the year, such as the Winter Leadership Weekend, Fall Rally Day and the Fall Leadership Summit.

In 2016, Natasha joined the Summer Leadership Team as a returning alumna and shared her experience with the current students. She works at Turner and regularly volunteers with Marietta YELLS. She graduated from Marietta High School in 2012 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from Auburn University in 2016.

How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

21st Century Leaders was my first exposure to professionalism and networking. I’ve been able to build my network on LinkedIn since high school. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but some of my peers are just now learning about it. Through 21st Century Leaders I was also exposed to companies and business partners I could one day work for. In fact, now I’m employed at Turner.

What was your most memorable moment in 21CL? 

I enjoyed the ropes course at EarthCare, speaking at the closing ceremony at EarthCare, and the case competition during the Winter Leadership Weekend (Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit). I had a great time as a student, but it wasn’t until I came back to work the summer leadership programs this past summer, in 2016, that I really felt impactful. It’s awesome to know that I can help some young leaders in the way that I was helped and to work alongside some of my former leaders as their peer.

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 or perspectives have helped you along the way?

21CL taught me that leaders aren’t born, they are made. You may be a great leader already, but there is always an opportunity for growth. As a student at Auburn University, I chose to not only excel academically, but also to be a part of change on my campus. I served as Administrative Vice President for the Black Student Union, as a Resident Assistant, an Ambassador for the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, an Orientation Leader for International Students and more. If it wasn’t for the strong foundation and practice with 21CL in high school, I wouldn’t have been allotted as many opportunities or as prepared to interview for those positions.

What’s something you’ve recently learned about leadership?

Leaders give back. As a young professional it’s easy to feel like you’re struggling to find your next move and the ways to grow in your current position, but strong leaders give back. It’s important to continue to create opportunities to meet new people in your field. I’ve met so many people simply by reaching out and they are usually willing to give me information about their positions and introduce me to other people I should meet who can help me grow as well. [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Thank you, Natasha, for sharing your leadership lessons and giving back to 21CL as a summer leadership team member! Here’s to more growth and being a part of change!

 

Alumni, check out the 21st Century Leaders Alumni group on LinkedIn for a summer photo from the archives.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Walker

Natalie Walker

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]21CL Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Walker[/fusion_title][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 21CL Alumna Natalie Walker, Class of 2012[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]As a student, Natalie attended the Summer Leadership Institute at Georgia Southern University in 2009 and 2010, and EarthCare at Berry College in 2011, where she realized her passion for engineering during a session with Georgia Power volunteers. She graduated from Marietta High School in 2012 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management from Auburn University in 2016.

Natalie is now a Strategic Sourcing Analyst at Cox Enterprises and a regular volunteer with 21CL and other youth organizations.

 How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?

As an active high school student, I loved being involved in a variety of activities from being a three-sport Athlete, to leading my schools Air Force Junior ROTC as Group Commander, to leading my student body as a student council representative. 21CL taught me invaluable skills such as work-life balance and networking. Working with and connecting with so many professionals and peers really boosted my confidence and exposed me to different leadership principles, my personal strengths and weaknesses and exposed me to a diverse group of peers that forged in me a more global and forward thinking mindset.

 What was your most memorable moment in 21CL?  

My favorite experience as an Alumna would have to be connecting with professionals. While I was an intern for Cox Enterprises, I connected with Ed Roche from the 21CL Board of Directors and was able to attend Cox Day for the SYLI Networking dinner at Goizueta’s Business School. I had a great time meeting the program participants and talking to them about my experiences in college, about my course of study in Supply Chain Management and what I did as an intern at Cox Enterprises!

Which programs did you participate in? 

 My high school (Marietta High School) had a Youth Leadership Center so I was involved with the program’s school year initiatives as well as Summer Leadership Institutes! I attended three Summer Leadership Institutes and during my third summer as a 21st Century Leader (2011) I attended EarthCare, sponsored by Georgia Power. Many of the professionals were engineers and shared with us their experience, including how to conduct energy audits. I thought that was so cool that I pursed engineering as a major going into college.

How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of young professionalism, etc. What tools or perspectives do you have because of 21CL? 

One thing that I capitalized well on as a student leader was knowing my strengths and weaknesses and communicating those to my fellow student leaders. Networking and communication are key for any leader at any level and stage from college to a professional career. I used those skills to lead groups of students at Auburn University: (1) to raise funds for Flint Michigan & Children’s Miracle Network, (2) to engage in activities including physical and mental health initiatives as well as (3) inspire them to make a difference by seeking opportunities and engagements for the things they are passionate about and (4) to achieve their goals both inside and outside of the classroom. [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Thank you, Natalie, for giving back to 21CL as a volunteer (you may have seen her at the 4th Annual Leaderboard at Eastlake Golf Outing or conducting student interviews for the 2017 summer leadership institutes, to name a few)! You are inspiring youth to lead, now and in the future![/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]