Photo caption: From left, VDC Enrollment Specialists and Leadership Institute 1.0 graduates Lauren Hutchens, Danielle Burcher, and Stephanie Rowe are pictured with VDC Enrollment Manager Brianna Noel following Bay Aging’s virtual graduation ceremony.

Graduates not pictured: VDC BIT Specialist Katherine Angove; Adult Day Center Medication Aide William “Gary” Arnest; VDC Options Counselor Ashley Benefield; VDC Customer Service Specialist Kimberly Billups-Swann; VDC Director Melissa Blake; VDC Options Counselor Team Lead Bengie Candelario Trujillo; Long Term Care Ombudsman Olivia Englehart; Transit Director David Fols; Dispatcher, Scheduler, Administrator Assistant Deanna Jackson; Culinary Manager Robin Middleton; VDC Fiscal Assistant/Invoice Specialist Cameron Pratt; Housing Support Specialist Suzanne Shepherd; and Marketing and Communications Specialist Jennifer White.

Bay Aging celebrated 16 employees who graduated from Leadership Institute 1.0 during a virtual graduation ceremony on August 5, 2026. The foundational leadership development program, based on John C. Maxwell’s The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, helps employees grow professionally, build confidence, deepen self-awareness, and lead with integrity, empathy, and courage.

Leadership Institute 1.0 introduces foundational leadership principles, including personality styles, communication, listening, problem-solving, relationships, responsibility, teachability, and servanthood. Assignments support practice in public speaking, collaboration, and leadership reflection, helping participants strengthen the skills and perspective needed to lead from wherever they serve within the organization.

The ceremony included a welcome from Stanley Clarke, Secretary of Bay Aging’s Board of Directors; remarks from Stephanie Hudgins, Director of Administration and Operations; a keynote address by John N. Skirven, BSJ, MSS, of Skirven Consulting; and recognition of graduates by Kathy Vesley, President and CEO. Graduates shared key takeaways from the program and described how they will carry forward their leadership vision in service to Bay Aging’s clients, teams, and communities.

Danielle Burcher, VDC Enrollment Specialist, said the program reinforced the importance of leading with passion, humility, and a willingness to learn. “The guest speakers showed a genuine passion for serving others, and learning alongside my classmates reminded me that leadership is about listening, growing,

and learning from one another,” Burcher said. “As I move forward, I hope to lead with passion and encourage others to grow alongside me.”

“At Bay Aging, we believe developing future leaders is one of our most important responsibilities,” said Kathy Vesley, President and CEO. “Leadership is not confined to a title or a classroom; it is demonstrated through the daily choices employees make, the way they support their teams, and how they respond to challenges. When our employees grow, our organization and the communities we serve grow stronger.”

The Leadership Institute has earned national recognition through USAging’s Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards, where Bay Aging’s program was recognized in the 2024 Workforce Development and Volunteerism category.

Stephanie Hudgins, Director of Administration and Operations, and MaDena DuChemin, Director of Human Resources, will also present on Leadership Institute 1.0 at the SE4A Conference in September 2026, sharing how Bay Aging’s approach to leadership development supports workforce growth, succession planning, and a culture of continuous learning.

Bay Aging congratulates the 16 Leadership Institute 1.0 graduates for their participation, engagement and commitment to growth. Through programs like this, Bay Aging continues to cultivate a culture of learning, collaboration, and service while preparing employees to inspire others, invest in their colleagues, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people the agency serves.