The strength of relationship initially planted decades ago by our shared Kellogg fellowship experience, continues to be alive and vibrant...
The strength of relationship initially planted decades ago by our shared Kellogg fellowship experience, continues to be alive and vibrant for many of us - thanks to the Kellogg Fellowship Leadership Alliance (KFLA). The KFLA Board had its board meeting in Atlanta this past February and it was a personal privilege to be able to connect with Kellogg fellows from the Atlanta metro area. For me in particular, I was able to reconnect with two of my Group XI fellows, Bill Bolling and John Wilson. While our life paths have taken us deeper into our work, each of us continues to embrace “leadership” with gusto! Bill had recently been recognized in Georgia for his leadership of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. John Wilson was two weeks into his new presidency at Morehouse College. And I am off to Japan, to serve as Dean of the Faculty of International Liberal Arts at Soka University.
Having served on the KFLA board for 7 years, I have watched and learned as the vision and mission of KFLA has emerged. Leadership continues to be KFLA’s business: harnessing wisdom and experience from across the country to design and develop a new leadership program. Leadership connections continue to be KFLA’s business: convening leaders across North and South America to begin new connections and linkages across continents. Leadership networks continue to be KFLA’s business: linking and incubating new leadership pilot programs locally and globally.
As I move off the board and begin my journey in a new country, I recognize that the seeds planted years ago by Kellogg continue to grow. In addition to my administrative duties, I am looking forward to teaching undergraduate seminars on Leadership. Lessons I’ve learned from the fellowship experience as well as from the KFLA convenings over the years will continue to bubble up in these courses. One course title that I have in mind is, Leading Across Differences. I’ve learned from all of you about this topic and hope that I can tell your leadership story to the next generation of leaders.
Dr. Maria Guajardo (KNFP-11)