2014 Leadership Institute Participants Announced

On May 9th, The Wildlife Society (TWS) announced the selections for the 2014 TWS Leadership Institute. They are promising early-career wildlife professionals who were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants across North America.

Participants will receive leadership training that begins with several distance learning projects over the coming summer.  The program culminates in October, with intensive hands-on mentoring activities and leadership workshops during the 2014 TWS Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A committee of TWS members and staff selected participants based on the applicants’ academic record, demonstrated leadership capability, and proven excellence either in their current professional position or as a leader of a TWS Chapter or Section.

This year’s participants are:

• Charles Anderson, Resource Science Supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation
• David Dahlgren, Extension Associate, Utah State University
• Dawn Davis, Sage-Grouse Conservation Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Alexander Galt, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota
• Sara Hansen, Wildlife Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Michel Kohl, Research Associate/Doctoral Student, Utah State University
• Sonja Leverkus, Doctoral Candidate, Oklahoma State University and Ecosystem Scientist, Shifting Mosaics Consulting, British Columbia, Canada
• Erin McCance, Project Manager/Wildlife Biologist, Joro Consultants, Manitoba, Canada
• Sonja Smith, Area Wildlife Biologist, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Heather Stricker, Wildlife Resources Program Director, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin

Many young wildlife professionals entering leadership positions have not been trained in the skills needed for successful management of large teams or complicated programs. The Leadership Institute introduces these exceptional young people to the management, mentoring, and organizational skills they need to become exceptional leaders.

From May through September, participants will complete a wide variety of exercises, including reading and reflecting on leadership topics, presenting to peer groups, leading seminars, and developing a vision for their professional leadership goals. During TWS’s Annual Conference in Pittsburgh the participants will serve as mentors for students, be mentored by Institute alumni and TWS Council members, attend Council meetings, and engage in focused analytical discussions.

Learn more about the Leadership Institute here.