Emerging Leaders Program

“I’d never really considered my full potential until the IDP project. Ideas I had, like making books for my kids, I thought were just that and never truly believed I could ever accomplish them. Now with my IDP I’m actually making my goals happen and creating new ones along the way!”

— Keisha Strand, Class of Spring ‘23​

The 8-Session Emerging Leaders Program begins in March with an exciting Orientation meet & greet, then continues with a weekly session through the middle of May. The sessions are held on Monday nights from 5pm-7pm; each designed to help you know yourself, increase awareness of critical issues, and connect with community leaders. You will be poised to assume an active, leading role in your organization and in your community. As the Program has been developed in recent years, you will always be part of the group that molds it for future generations.

Meet Our Program Manager

JESSE J. CITIZEN, JR. [LINKEDIN] 
M: (703) 220-8660
Email: jcitizen20@gmail.com

Jesse Citizen is a Retired Air Force officer, retired federal civilian, and life-long learner who has served at all levels of the Department of Defense (DoD). With a history of collaboration across the National and International defense and industry environments, he is skilled in Defense and Federal sector strategic planning, change management, and operational training.

EDUCATION

• OPM Federal Executive Institute (FEI) in-resident program, “Leading for a Democratic Society”
• Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
• Master of Public Administration, George Washington University, Washington, DC
• Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
• Certificate of Informational System Management, University of Southern California, CA
• Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Senior DoD advisor/consultant supporting Longevity Consulting Solutions, LLC, strategic business development within Defense and federal sector.
• Executive coach supporting the Inclusion Alchemy team consulting with non-profit and philanthropy organizations on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. (https://inclusionalchemy.com/)
• Completed the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, Certificate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certificate, May 2021. (https://www.usf.edu/business/certificates/diversity-equity-inclusion/index.aspx)
• Licensed IDI Qualified Administrator, Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), https://idiinventory.com/, May 2020.
• Strategic Advisor, Volunteer Future Kings, (https://www.future-kings.org/)
• Oct 2019 – Present: Volunteer member on the NDIA National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) operations team: (https://www.trainingsystems.org/about-ntsa)
• Aug 2007 – Oct 2019: Director, Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering, The Pentagon Focal point for Defense-wide Modeling and Simulation (M&S).
• Led a 23-person military, civilian, and contractor team’s execution of the Defense M&S portfolio supporting the Department’s M&S senior leadership, management, and governance activities. Met stakeholders’ needs in one of the largest federal organizations in the world.
• Directed the key areas of internal office management including administrative, financial, personnel, information and physical security, assets, and facility management.
• …and much more!