By Danielle Bilotta
LaTrish M. Jones and Traci B. Williams were recently celebrated as graduates of the Year Group 2023 for the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program. The LEAD program, run by the Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office, is a premier leadership development program that provides education, mentorship, development assignments, and more to build the skills required for positions of greater responsibility.
The virtual ceremony, hosted by LEAD program manager Kim Gibbons, honored Jones and Williams for their successful completion of the program. The event was attended by the graduates and their families as well as distinguished guests who support the LEAD program and serve as mentors for the future leaders. The event began with opening remarks provided by Vicky DeGuzman, Chief of the Workforce Development and Engagement Division at the DACM Office, who congratulated Jones and Williams on their success and thanked them for their dedication to the program.
“You both were selected because your organizations believed in you and felt you had the potential to go through an opportunity like this to continue to build and develop your leadership acumen,” DeGuzman said. “Be proud of the efforts and the commitment that you’ve made to this program, which has culminated in bringing you here today.”
The Year 2023 graduates spoke to the attendees about their time as fellows in the LEAD program, reflecting on the skills they’ve gained and the unique experiences they had throughout the two-year program.
Jones acknowledged and thanked her supervisors, colleagues, mentors, and family for supporting her over the course of the LEAD program and believing in her potential as a future leader.
“LEAD postured me for positions of greater responsibility,” she said. “Today is a moment of reflection, pride, and deep gratitude as I transition from a LEAD fellow to a LEAD graduate.”
Jones spoke highly of the benefits of participating in the LEAD program such as the ability to design her own training schedule, engagement with senior leaders, and the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships.
Williams described her participation in the LEAD program as a “game changer” and spoke about how the program gave her the tools to thrive in Army acquisition, helped expand her horizons, and gave her a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility. One of the most noteworthy parts of the LEAD program was the access to opportunities not offered elsewhere, such as sitting in on senior leadership meetings and gaining insight into critical decision making for the Army’s future.
“These were not just quick exchanges or formal presentations. These were opportunities for candid, insightful conversations,” she said. “Being in those rooms and speaking with those leaders has given me a deeper understanding of the broader strategic objectives that shape our day-to-day work in Army acquisition.”
Williams shared her gratitude for the people, experiences, and lessons that shaped her professional growth over the course of the LEAD program.
“I knew I would grow, but I didn’t fully grasp how much it would accelerate my career, broaden my perspectives, and expand the scope of what I thought was possible,” she said.
Guest speaker Miranda Oden, Deputy Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Missiles and Space, addressed the graduates and attendees and spoke about the importance of the LEAD program, her time mentoring Jones and Williams, and her personal leadership philosophy. Oden applauded their commitment, candor, and courage to step out of their comfort zone to achieve their goals. In addition to the “nuggets of advice” shared by Oden, she reminded the graduates that it’s okay to make mistakes and encouraged them to be the type of leader that they would want to follow.
“Ranks and titles are limited but the way you treat people is what they’ll remember,” she said. “People want leaders who demonstrate integrity and strive for greatness. But more importantly, they want leaders who genuinely care about them.”
Before the graduate certificates were presented, Rob Richardson, the Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM), honored the graduates and congratulated them for their success in the rigorous program. Richardson took a moment to praise the organizations that supported the graduates while they participated in the LEAD program, acknowledging that their teams recognized their potential and helped make it possible for them to take part in the prestigious program over the past two years.
“Now that you’ve completed the program, I encourage you to pay it forward,” he said. “As you move through your career as a leader and a program manager, seek out those folks that are worthy of further development. The high performing hard chargers that you see as the future.”
The program certificates were virtually presented to the graduates and accepted by Gibbons on behalf of Jones and Williams.
“This accomplishment places them among those with the highest potential within the Army Acquisition Workforce and represents a significant professional achievement as a leadership excellence and acquisition development graduate,” Gibbons said. “We are proud of you and your accomplishments and congratulate you on your graduation today.”
