Emerging Leaders at the 2011 "Strategic Crossroads" training course.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – August 17, 2011. USACE Institute for Water Resources' Kelly Barnes participated in the USACE 2011 Emerging Leaders Program held July 29 - August 4. She attended a three-day leadership training course in New Orleans with 50 other USACE "emerging leaders."
After the course, she shadowed a Senior Leader during the USACE Summer Leaders' Conference. Mr. Stacey Hirata, Chief, Installation Support Community of Practice (Military Programs), was Ms. Barnes' mentor for the week, answering questions, introducing her to people, and exposing her to USACE programs outside of the Civil Works and Navigation missions.
The Emerging Leaders program provides a forum for participants to have a unique experience to identify their individual strengths and constraints. The USACE supports the program in order to build the bench of the next generation of leaders. Each year participants are selected from enthusiastic and dedicated Corps personnel who exhibit leadership talents and capabilities.
Ms. Barnes was the first candidate from IWR to participate in this program. She said she was "excited to be a part of the emerging leaders program as it gave me an opportunity to network with other emerging and senior leaders and learn more about the Corps mission."
IWR Director Bob Pietrowsky commented that "Kelly was an ideal candidate for USACE's Emerging Leaders Program. Her career trajectory is at the opportune point to benefit from the leadership development opportunities afforded by the program, particularly her exposure to a wide range of government and industry leaders during the subsequent Leader's Conference. It's clear that Kelly immersed herself in the program with all the creativity and dedication she brings to her work at the Institute every day - I welcomed the opportunity to nominate her and I'm very proud of how well she represented both herself and the Institute during the event."
The USACE Senior Summer Leaders' Conference brings together U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders from around the world along with key stakeholders to discuss critical issues; enhance transparency, inclusion, and collaboration; reinforce key relationships; and orient, focus, and synchronize command resources for the coming months and years. An event of this nature requires face-to-face interaction among senior and emerging leaders and key stakeholders to enhance USACE’s value to the Nation.
Ms. Barnes has been with IWR as an Intergovernmental Program Specialist since 2006. She currently serves as the Deputy Secretary for PIANC USA (The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure), and Co-Project Manager for the IWR Communications Program. Prior to joining IWR, Ms. Barnes served as the Director of the Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute (COPRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). She serves as the Co-chair of the COPRI Waterways Committee with IWR Director Robert Pietrowsky and is a member of the COPRI Ports and Harbors Committee. She is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives, Society of Government Meeting Professionals, and American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. She participated in ASCE National Engineers Week Outreach Activities this year.