Indiana University East Academy for Cultivating Talent completed its first program “Carry It Forward: Creating Networks and Pipelines for Women Leaders,” on May 15. The program focused on creating pipelines for women to leadership positions in business and civic engagement and work with professional women in mid-level or senior-level positions who are poised to make a difference in their organization and community.

Fredricka Joyner, associate professor of business administration and organization behavior, organized the Academy for Cultivating Talent (ACT). She said the 22 participants who recently graduated from ACT came from diverse organizations throughout the region.

“During the year, each participant identified personally-important activities and issues and developed plans to engage in making a difference. These individuals will use the skills developed to make a difference in their organizations and communities for years to come,” Joyner said.

“I have really enjoyed participating in the ACT Program over the past 10 months. I have gained a deeper insight into my own leadership skills and feel the program has made a strong, positive impact in my confidence level and decision making. I have built a strong network of new friends in the other participants that I’m sure will only grow over time,” said Kim Poinsett, assistant vice president for Community Relations at First Bank Richmond.

Participants in the Academy for Cultivating Talent were:

• Sharon Brandley: Palladium-Item
• Pam Cawood: Reid Physician Associates
• Peggy Cenova: Indiana Small Business Development Corporation
• Renee Doty: Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County
• Sarah Gladding: Belden
• Beth Harrick: Girls, Inc.
• Norene Groth: Wayne Bank & Trust Co.
• Stephanie Hays-Mussoni: Indiana University East
• Bridget Hazelbaker: Richmond Community Schools
• Leah Heady: Reid Hospital & Health Care Services
• Rachel Hughes: Wayne County Foundation
• Cathy Jarvis: Reid Physician Associates
• Holly Lemar: Reid Hospital & Health Care Services
• Tracey Lickfelt: Centerstone
• Karole Passmore: First Bank Richmond
• Elvinet Piard: Indiana University East
• Julie Pickett-Hall: Doxpop
• Kim Poinsett: First Bank Richmond
• Darla Randall: Indiana University East
• Meagan Terlep: Centerstone
• Margaret Thomas Evans: Indiana University East
• Randi Whitesel: Reid Hospital & Health Care Services

The program was established in March 2012 after receiving a grant by the Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Council. The academy is a part of the Center for Leadership Development under the School of Business and Economics. The program year is underwritten by a grant from the IU Women’s Philanthropy Council with additional support from the IU East School of Business and Economics.

Each year the academy’s program will be tailored and customized for the group. In the future, the academy will focus on other groups including young professionals, senior leaders, small business owners or non-profit leaders.

For more information on the Academy for Cultivating Talent, contact Fredricka Joyner at 765-973-8412 or fjoyner@iue.edu.