Georgia Tech’s Inclusive Leaders Academy (ILA) is proud to welcome its ninth cohort, including 65 participants from varied backgrounds.
This year’s cohort represents more than 30 departments across Tech’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses.
Since its inception in 2017, more than 550 participants have graduated from the ILA program and hold the title, “Culture Champions.” ILA develops key leadership attributes, such as self-awareness, courage, mindfulness, and social intelligence. These skills lay the groundwork for effective leadership, deepening participants’ understanding of their team members and stakeholders, as well as forging meaningful, lasting connections.
“I am a proud alumnus of Cohort 7 of the Inclusive Leaders Academy. ILA was a pivotal experience that pushed me to reflect more deeply on my leadership,” said Diamond Ford, senior director of Employee Experience & Development for Georgia Tech Human Resources. “Being in a program that encourages open and meaningful dialogue helped me understand the power of listening to and learning from different perspectives.”
The 15-week, immersive leadership program features a blend of online modules, instructor-led sessions, and practice-based learning, equivalent to 27 hours of development. This year, ILA introduces the Search Inside Yourself (SIY) curriculum, an innovative approach combining neuroscience and leadership practices initially developed at Google.
Aligned with Georgia Tech’s leadership competency model, the ILA curriculum is designed to unlock individual insights and foster group transformation. Past participants have consistently shared how the program has profoundly impacted their lives and careers, helping them become mindful leaders who embody Tech’s organizational values.
Sirocus Barnes, director of Expanded Learning Programs, is in his 13th year at Tech. Barnes, a Cohort 9 participant, said he joined the program to gain tools that ensure he is understanding of his employees’ various backgrounds and experiences and able to better address unique team member needs.
“At work, I strive to be a leader that creates space for people to show up authentically as themselves,” Barnes said, adding that the program will also support goals that benefit groups outside Georgia Tech. “One of my professional goals is to continue to support and engage K-12 students in rural and under-resourced communities throughout our state. As I continue to do this work, I always want to ensure that any outreach programs that I create consider the people who the programs will serve. I want to make sure that when K-12 students and families visit Georgia Tech, they feel welcomed and that they belong.”
By investing in programs like the Inclusive Leaders Academy, Georgia Tech demonstrates its commitment to fostering a welcoming culture and equipping its leaders to thrive in complex, dynamic environments. The dedication of Georgia Tech’s leaders to this initiative underscores their resolve to drive meaningful change, both within the institution and beyond.
2025 Inclusive Leaders Academy Participants:
- James E. Allen Jr.
- Erik Andersen
- Regina Anderson
- Jennifer Attilus-August
- Eric Badendyck
- Sirocus Barnes
- Kristina Bates
- Trakia Bennett
- Kimberly Black
- Retonya Brinkley
- Jennifer Chirico
- S. Dante Christmas
- Kristina Clement
- Micah Coleman
- Valentina De La Fe
- Charles Derricotte III
- Ashley Dobbs
- Danielle Ismirle Dunigan
- Scarlett Earley
- Teresa Fosque
- Tony Graddick
- Sharon Hamilton
- Bryan Harber
- Shari Hardaway
- Quashavia Harper
- Andrew Harvill
- Rotthan Hinton
- Cameron Huggins
- Justina Jackson
- Miriam Jackson
- Renee Jamieson
- Jordan Johnson
- Devki Kumayan
- Cliff Landis
- Phu Le
- Jeonghyun (Jonna) Lee
- Anna Maltos
- Martella Matthews-Toussaint
- Kerry McCarthy
- Sheneatria McDowell
- Brigit McGuinness
- Courtney Miller
- Savannah Muhammad
- Meenu Mukherji
- Jason Newland
- Scott Nicholson
- Tonya Parker
- Jonna Patel
- Martin Patrick
- Patrick Piddington
- Milira Richardson
- Malcolm Robinson
- Dolores Ross
- Tomeika Rouse
- Preeti Sagar
- Melissa Scott
- Deja Tyla Sobelman
- Ken Surdin
- Jamaal Taylor
- Carese Tillman
- Cassandra Trawick
- Alicia Udoh
- Chariti Williams
- Alicia Wood-Jones