Delta Leadership Institute sends 41 community leaders to Harvard Kennedy School for executive training and leadership development
Delta Leadership Institute sends 41 community leaders to Harvard Kennedy School for executive training and leadership development
Kayla Taylor selected for continuing education opportunity
MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA REGION – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) continued its
partnership with Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) by offering an advanced education opportunity
exclusively to members of the Delta Leadership Network. The program, designed and led by
Harvard faculty, focused on cultivating “authentic leadership” to move Delta communities
forward. The Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) sent 41 representatives from across the eight
states of the DRA footprint, including Kayla Taylor of Jackson, TN.
This year’s four day-session, from Nov. 27-30, was led by retired Air Force Brigadier General
Dana Born, co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at HKS.
“This executive training equipped regional leaders across the Delta with the latest
advancements in leadership skills and prepared them to make positive changes in their local
communities,” said Peter Kinder, DRA’s alternate federal co-chairman. “These participants are
alumni of the Delta Leadership Institute’s Executive Academy and were selected due to the
leadership they have exemplified in their communities and their ability to translate these
experiences to actionable solutions for the region.”
The class included six members from Alabama; seven from Arkansas; six from Illinois; two from
Kentucky; four from Louisiana; four from Mississippi; six from Missouri; and six from Tennessee.
The group reflected the diversity of the Delta region and included public, private, and non-
profit leaders that have graduated from the DLI’s Executive Academy. Chairman Kinder, DLI
director Spencer Lucker, and select DLI staff participated with the delegation of Delta leaders in
the continuing education session.
“What an honor and privilege to be selected to attend the Authentic Leadership program at the
Harvard Kennedy School,” said Kayla Taylor, Director of Marketing Strategy at Younger
Associates. “Retired Brigadier General, Dana Born taught us about self-awareness, ethics,
leadership styles, empowering others, and how to embrace our purpose.”
Since 2005, the Delta Leadership Institute has worked to strengthen the knowledge and skills of
community leaders across the Delta by broadening their understanding of regional issues and
building a corps of alumni that have a regional and national perspective. DLI is a program of the
Delta Regional Authority in partnership with three institutions of higher education from the
DRA’s states: The University of Alabama, Arkansas State University, and the University of
Louisiana Monroe.
About the Delta Regional Authority and the Delta Leadership Institute
The DRA is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build
communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development and
infrastructure projects in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. DRA has provided
leadership development to nearly 500 community leaders over twelve years and strengthened
regional collaboration through the Delta Leadership Institute. Learn more at
dra.gov/leadership.
About Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School aims to improve public policy and public leadership in the United
States and around the world through research, teaching, and direct engagement with
policymakers and public leaders. Nearly 20,000 alumni of the School’s degree programs and
44,000 people who have taken executive education courses at the School work in more than
200 countries. In addition, faculty, staff, and students of the School are currently undertaking
projects to advance knowledge and strengthen public policy and leadership in dozens of
countries. Around the world, the skills and energy of the Harvard Kennedy School community
are dedicated to helping make people’s lives safer, more prosperous, and more fulfilling.
