If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. There’s no standing still in a dynamic world—not in personal or professional growth, and not in making our world a more just place for our children and grandchildren.

That’s why I’ve decided to embark on a new leadership development journey – a 52-week program through the Stagen Leadership Academy. This particular program is all about refining your personal and professional vision for the future and focusing on what needs to happen to make that vision a reality.

To get a grasp on applicants’ personal and professional vision for the future, the admissions process included an interview by a psychologist. A few of the big questions included:

• What do you value the most in your life?
• What do you see as the biggest societal challenge today?
• How do you want to be remembered when you are gone?

These are big questions – questions that are beneficial for all of us to ponder. One of the perks of leadership development is that it often goes hand-in-hand with a healthy dose of self-reflection. I’ll give you a glimpse into mine.

I would like to see my grandchildren grow up in a country that reflects a commitment to creating a more perfect union through actions, not just words, that promote anti-racism and anti-oppression. In my part of the world, I’m hoping to make an impact that sparks change in those areas – both personally and professionally. Through leadership development, I want to define some tangible outcomes and focus on those things that will move Loretto, our community, and myself forward.

I couldn’t be more excited to continue to develop my leadership skills to maximize my impact on my organization, community, and even the world.

In a global pandemic, it is easy to focus on the problems, which are myriad. I am interested in solving today’s problems but not being swallowed up by them. A focus on the future through this leadership program should help.

If you’re craving the next step in your leadership journey and a focus on the future, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you. My home community, Syracuse, NY, is rich with leadership experiences—the Citizen’s Academy, Leadership Greater Syracuse, Nurturing Tomorrow’s Leaders, to name a few. If you are not from the Central New York area, look for local or regional organizations that offer resources to assist you in your leadership journey.

I’m excited to share my new insights with you over the next year as you take this journey with me. There is a lot to do, and time is of the essence. So, ready, set, grow!