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19 Graduate from Duke Leadership Academy

Annual program for emerging leaders at Duke concluded this week

President Richard H. Brodhead addressed 19 members of the fifth Duke Leadership Academy this week, as staff from across the university and health system celebrated their graduation from the nearly yearlong program.

The Duke Leadership Academy, sponsored by Duke Human Resources, is designed to stimulate personal and professional growth and nurture a pipeline of future leaders at Duke. The curriculum is based upon best practices from Fuqua/COLE Leadership Model, and management and leadership styles and behaviors.

Speaking to the group, Brodhead shared examples of leadership he’s seen across campus, using timely examples of how men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and football head coach David Cutcliffe inspire their student-athletes, especially since they guide from the sidelines and can’t impact play in the same way a player can on a field or court.

“Mike Krzyzewski has become one of the winningest coaches in basketball and he’s never scored a point for Duke,” Brodhead said.

He went on to emphasize the value of leadership among all Duke faculty and staff, because ultimately, employee leaders inspire those around them, making their colleagues better at their jobs, too.

“You were all singled out not because you’re just pleasant, intelligent people,” Brodhead told the group. “You are seen as people who have a capacity to excel and leadership and can enable other people to become more.”

That’s the biggest reason Steve Palumbo enjoyed his time as part of the fifth Duke Leadership Academy, noting that it’s helped him learn to better recognize the talents and successes of others and the value of highlighting them to create a more cohesive team.

“I’m able to put lessons I’ve learned with this group to use right away,” said Palumbo, energy manager with the Facilities Management Department. “It was inspiring to hear from speakers about leadership and how they’ve reached their positions with Duke.”

During the academy, participants heard from guest speakers such as Fuqua School of Business professor Sim Sitkin, Graduate School dean Paula McClain and Ben Reese, vice president of institutional equality. Participants also received a 360-assessment and instruction on leadership principles.

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Members of the Duke Leadership Academy, Human Resources and Learning and Organization Development pose with President Richard H. Brodhead. Photo courtesy of Srini Iyengar.

Deans or vice presidents nominate class members for the program. Graduating class members are:

  • James Allen, senior director, Corporate Accounts Payable, Financial Services
  • John Andreala, assistant director, Communication Infrastructure Office of Information Technology
  • Dustin Baker, performance analyst, Duke Management Company
  • James Bjurstrom, major, Duke Police
  • Bridget Booher, director, Women in Leadership and Philanthropy
  • Michelle Carter-Jenkins, director Human Resources Services, Facilities Management
  • Elizabeth Carver, director, Financial Reporting, Financial Services
  • Hugh Crumley, assistant dean for academic affairs, Graduate School
  • Jessica Habecker, assistant dean and associate director of finance School of Medicine
  • Patricia Hege, director, Talent Identification Program
  • Chris Hildreth, director of Duke Photography, Public Affairs & Government Relations
  • Karen Kemp, assistant dean for Communications & Marketing, Sanford School of Public Policy
  • Chip Kyles, director of Workers' Compensation Human Resources - Benefits
  • Jannine Lall, performance analyst, Duke Management Company
  • LaTondra Murray, director of professional masters program, Pratt School of Engineering
  • G. Sujin Pak, assistant research professor of the History of Christianity and associate dean for Academic Programs, Duke Divinity
  • Steve Palumbo, energy manager, Facilities Management
  • Kirsten Shaw, assistant director, Corporate and Industry Relations, Pratt School of Engineering
  • Jennifer Sider, associate director, Marketing and Development, Duke Credit Union