UGA led 19 business and organization members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce through a leadership program in May designed for employees with the potential to help address challenges in their communities.

It was the second annual High Potentials Leadership program, led by faculty from the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.

Along with leadership training, participants also delved into public policy with faculty from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, learning about state demographics and local government. Meanwhile, leaders within the Georgia Chamber membership helped participants by providing practical advice and real-world professional experiences.

“I have learned so much, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this program,” says McKenzie Lewis, director of Digital Media and Communications for the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. “Learning from other professionals and being able to talk with them about best leadership practices and how we can better engage with those in our community has been very beneficial to me.”

The High Potentials Leadership program is an example of how the Fanning Institute can tailor its leadership curriculum to meet the specific needs of an organization, said Fanning Director Matt Bishop.

“Unique leadership programs such as the High Potentials Leadership program can help communities and organizations engage their members and create a network of people with advanced leadership skills who are ready to contribute to a stronger state,” Bishop says. “We commend the Georgia Chamber for its commitment to developing leaders at all levels, and we are proud to support their efforts.”

By completing the program, graduates are equipped to address emerging opportunities and challenges facing their companies and their communities, said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

“The most critical component to the long-term economic prosperity of Georgia is how we develop the next generation of servant leaders in the corporate community,” Clark says. “The High Potentials Leadership program was designed to position these leaders to find personal and service-oriented success.”

During the program, Fanning Institute faculty covered servant leadership through many lenses such as personal leadership styles, board governance, dialogue and examining one’s values and behaviors.

“The curriculum prepares graduates to better understand themselves as a leader and how to apply that knowledge both within their company and when representing their company in the community to help affect positive change,” says Brittany Adams-Pope, a public service assistant at the Fanning Institute.

The 2019 Georgia Chamber High Potentials Leadership program graduates are:

Abby Bradley, Pinewood Atlanta Studios

Camron Carden, Georgia Transmission Corporation

David Correa, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Shaun Dodson, Georgia EMC

Chandler Faccento, Atlanta Braves

Kristen Fraser, Aflac

Toni Hannah, Georgia Power Company

Stephanie Hardy, AT&T

Joey Heath, Oglethorpe Power Company

Chris Hughes, JE Dunn Construction

Sydney Langdon, Turner

McKenzie Lewis, Georgia Association of Broadcasters

William Mann, Grant Thornton LLP

Ashley Mock, CBC Bank- Langdale Company

James Nixon, Meadows Regional Medical Center

Shannon O’Keefe, Abshire Public Relations

Kevin Parrish, Wells Fargo

Rachel Rhodes, Comcast

Sabrina Taylor, Delta Air Lines