Duke Leadership and Management Academies Celebrate 2025 Graduates

Graduates carry forward connections and new skills

Two class photos
The 2025 classes of the Duke Leadership Academy, left, and the Duke Management Academy, right.

For Michael Wright, Manager of Web Services for the Duke Law School, the 2025 Duke Leadership Academy delivered more than just professional growth. It sharpened how he guides his two-person team, deepened his connection to Duke’s values and, most importantly, introduced him to a network of new friends and collaborators.

Over 12 months, Wright listened as fellow academy scholars shared the varied work they do across Duke and the common challenges they face as managers. He collaborated with a small cohort to address post-pandemic campus parking quirks and celebrated the program’s conclusion with his 30-person class at a Dec. 5 graduation ceremony at the Nasher Museum of Art

“I think the main thing I got out of this are these relationships with my colleagues,” said Wright, who joined the Duke staff 16 years ago. “It’s really fascinating to learn from, and get to know, people from all across the university.”

Both the Duke Leadership Academy and the Duke Management Academy celebrated their 2025 graduates in December. The two yearlong programs are part of the Professional Development Academy organized by Duke’s Leadership & Organization Development, a unit in Duke Human Resources.

The 2025 Duke Leadership Academy class. Photo courtesy of Duke Learning & Organization Development.

Duke Leadership Academy

In his keynote speech honoring the 15th Duke Leadership Academy class, Duke Executive Vice Provost and Professor of Biology Mohamed Noor addressed 30 scholars from across Duke, united by a shared thirst to learn.

Assistant Vice President for Duke Learning & Organization Development Keisha Williams speaks to the 2025 Duke Leadership Academy participants during December's graduation ceremony. Photo by Travis Stanley.

“Universities move forward because of communities of people, people like you, who invest in relationships, are curious about other parts of Duke operates and who care not only about their own corner, but the success of the whole,” Noor said. “That curiosity extends to the people you meet. Duke is a very diverse community with widely varying backgrounds and experiences. Learn from those who differ from you, not just people who are like you.”

Based on the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the Duke Leadership Academy refines participants’ leadership and management styles and behaviors in order for them to better implement strategy. Academy scholars receive a 360-degree assessment, individual coaching and opportunities to learn from senior leaders at Duke. The academy also features team projects designed to explore solutions for real-world challenges at Duke. Among the topics explored by this year’s groups were campus parking, employee recognition and building community among Duke’s retirees.

“I am very appreciative of the work you have already done and I am excited about the things you will do as we continue to move Duke forward,” Antwan Lofton, Vice President of Duke Human Resources, told the graduates.

The 2025 Duke Management Academy class. Photo courtesy of Learning & Organization Development.

Duke Management Academy

The 26 members of the Duke Management Academy’s seventh graduating class gathered on Dec. 9 at the Nasher Museum of Art to celebrate their yearlong development journey that left them with a new perspective on leadership.

Duke Vice President for Human Resources Antwan Lofton delivers remarks at December's Duke Management Academy graduation. Photo by Travis Stanley.

“Leadership is not just a title, it’s a responsibility,” said Duke Dining Program Manager and Duke Management Academy member Grayson Crabtree. “It’s how you talk to people and how you support people. How you show up for your team, even on days when you feel stretched thin. Leadership isn’t about having all of the answers. It’s about having the courage to ask the right questions.”

Over the course of the program, which is designed to sharpen the leadership skills of middle managers, participants learned about developing employees, decision making, strategic thinking and how to lead diverse teams. They also completed group projects exploring topics such as how to retain employees, encouraging graduate students to enroll in health coverage, new ways to support new managers and building an app to help students maximize their dining budgets.

“This program was not easy,” Lofton told the graduates at their ceremony. “It demanded of your time, your energy and your commitment. It asked you to stretch beyond your comfort zones, challenge yourselves as well as your assumptions, and grow not just as managers, but as leaders. You balanced responsibilities, you supported your teams and you invested in yourselves. That is the true mark of leadership.”

2025 Duke Leadership Academy

  • Terrell Smith – Assistant Athletics Director for NIL Strategy, Duke Athletics
  • Ann Thurston – Senior Director of Development & Major Gifts, Nicholas School of the Environment
  • Asher Hildebrand – Director of Graduate Studies, Sanford School of Public Policy
  • Ben Adams – Senior Associate Dean of Students for QuadEx, Dean of Students
  • Brie Russell – Senior Director for Strategic Regional and Alumni Engagement, Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs
  • Carolyn Moore Arias – Director for Industry Partnerships and Strategic Programs, Duke Clinical Research Institute
  • Christy Whaley – Senior Director for Academic Human Resources, Provost Office
  • Deborah Hackney – Senior Director of Academics and Registrar, Duke Divinity School
  • DeShelia Spann – Assistance Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Alumni Engagement and Development
  • Dominic Pazzula – Head of Engineering and Risk, DUMAC
  • Gregory Phillips – Executive Director for Media Relations and Public Affairs, University Communications and Marketing
  • Jamie Wylie – Director, Duke Office of Research Initiatives
  • Jasmine Willis-Wallace – Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Pediatrics
  • Jay McAllister – Program Director for Transformational Gifts, Alumni Engagement and Development
  • Jenny Ariansen – Director of Research Integrity, Duke Office of Scientific Integrity
  • Julie Schoonmaker – Director of Multimedia Production, University Communications & Marketing
  • Katherine Norris – Assistant Director of Research Training, Office of Education for Research Administration and Finance
  • LaDonna Worrell – Senior IT Director, Duke Health Technology Solutions
  • Megan Phillips – Chief Administration Officer, Neurology
  • Michael Faber – Assistant Director, Innovation Co-Lab, Office of Information Technology
  • Michael Wright – Manager of Web Services, Duke School of Law
  • Michelle Benham – Senior Director for Communications, Duke Community Affairs
  • Michelle Cohen – Executive Director of Development for Duke Cancer Center, Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs
  • Pamela Hanson – Assistant Dean of Alumni Affairs, Pratt School of Engineering
  • Rossi Evans – Assistant Dean and Associate Director for Finance, Duke School of Medicine
  • Samuel Kamau – Chief Administrative Officer, Neurobiology
  • Yan Li – Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, The Graduate School
  • Yvette Massey – Chief of Staff, Duke University School of Nursing
  • Zhanat Elliston –  Executive Director for Finance and Operations, Office of Undergraduate Education

2025 Duke Management Academy

  • Amy Chapman-Braun – Senior Designer, Alumni Engagement & Development
  • Carrie Purbeck-Trunzo – Manager for Education & Outreach, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science
  • Genille Anderson – Associate Dean of Students, Student Affairs
  • John Ruch – Senior Business Manager, Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Rosa Johnson – Human Resources Manager, School of Medicine Human Resources Center
  • Shannon Geddes – Associate Director, Office of Research Administration
  • Annie Floyd – Director, Fuqua School of Business International Programs Office
  • Heather Adams – Director of Finance, Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute
  • Juli Cooney – Director of Administration and Operations for Major and Leadership Gifts, Alumni Engagement & Development
  • Summer Starling – Senior Project Manager, Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative
  • Melanie Kirk – Special Events, Space & Logistics Coordinator, Duke Surgery
  • Ted Snyderman – Research Program Leader, Duke Office of Clinical Research
  • Angel Collie – Director, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
  • Courtney Stanion – Operations Manager for Laboratory Safety, Occupational & Environmental Safety
  • Grayson Crabtree – Program Director, Duke Dining
  • Joy Parton – Assistant Director of Engagement and Multicultural Advancement, Alumni Engagement & Development
  • Laura Scott – Assistant Director for Reference, Clinics and Outreach, Duke Law School
  • Mai Nguyen – Administrative Director, Department of Biology
  • Rodney Cozart – Senior Manager of the OIT Service Desk, Office of Information Technology
  • Stephanie Mazzerina – Executive Assistant to the Dean, Pratt of Engineering
  • Camille Jackson – Director of Communications and Special Programs, Office of Information Technology
  • Elizabeth McCamic – Research Communications and Engagement Specialist, Duke Clinical Research Institute
  • Jacqueline Davis – Director of Academic Services, Duke Athletics
  • Jaime Byrd – Director for Employee Relations, Student Affairs
  • Reed Colver – Associate Director and Learning Consultant, Academic Resource Center
  • Robin Goodwin – Administrative Coordinator, Department of Ophthalmology

The members of the 2026 Duke Leadership Academy and Duke Management Academy classes have already been selected. Nominations for the 2027 cohorts will open in this fall.

Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

Follow Working@Duke on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and subscribe on YouTube.