Saint Leo University launches Mission-Driven Leaders program
Saint Leo University has launched a new program designed to engage students, faculty, staff, and community members in conversations about mission-driven leadership. The Mission-Driven Leaders: Conversations on Purpose program will feature interactive conversations with different guest leaders who have experience in leading with purpose and making a difference in their professions and in society at large. The goal is to host four to five diverse leaders each year who have varied backgrounds and experiences but who all demonstrate mission-driven leadership.
“Mission-driven leadership is about working to achieve goals that make an impact and serve a greater good,” said Vice President of Community Engagement & Innovation Dr. Mark Gesner. “Mission-driven leadership is not about position or title, rather, it’s focused on aligning your actions with your values to influence others to realize meaningful and positive outcomes.”
By engaging in conversations with leaders who practice mission-driven leadership, the intent is to help bring the Saint Leo mission to life for the university community and the general public.
The program’s first event will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, and will feature Saint Leo University alumna Cerelyn “CJ” Davis ’98, who currently serves as chief of the Memphis Police Department (TN). The event will be held in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms, located in the Student Community Center, as well as online via Zoom.
Through an interview-style program, Davis will share how she has led with purpose and will discuss what it means to achieve excellence—one of Saint Leo’s core values.
Having worked in law enforcement for more than 35 years, Davis has achieved a number of accomplishments and earned prominent recognition for the positive changes she has made. She began her career working for the Atlanta (GA) Police Department, serving in a variety of leadership positions, including deputy chief. In 2016, Davis became chief of police for the City of Durham (NC) before being named the first female police chief for the Memphis Police Department in 2021.
Davis is a past president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and recently testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the matter of police reform in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. She has since been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, and other networks as a subject matter expert on this important topic.
Registration is required to attend the event in-person or via Zoom. Visit saintleo.edu/MDL to register.
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