‪Congratulations to This Year’s ACE Leadership Graduates!

May 17, 2018

For the 27 VNSNY staff members enrolled in this year’s Achieving a Culture of Excellence (ACE) Leadership Program, the last seven months have been an intense stretch of biweekly workshops, informational meetings with VNSNY’s senior leaders, and an in-depth final group project—all in addition to their regular jobs. On May 9th, their hard efforts were saluted at this year’s official ACE graduation ceremony.

The 2017-18 ACE course, VNSNY’s eighth since the program’s launch in 2004, brought together an outstanding group of emerging leaders from across the enterprise. “This year’s cohort has never ceased to amaze me,” says Amanda Weiner, who manages the program for VNSNY’s Department of Organizational Development. “From the first day, they’ve been engaged, excited, and full of intellectual curiosity. Each member of the program, in their own unique way, has learned and grown as a leader. I have no doubt that their impact will reach all corners of our great organization.”

“Going through the ACE program was an eye-opening experience,” adds 2017-18 ACE participant Michelle Antonucci, Manager of Human Resources Shared Services. “I learned a lot about myself, personally and professionally, and I’ve grown tremendously.” Among other things, says Michelle, the course taught her to be a better listener and to delegate effectively. “I’m applying the skills that I learned every day in my job,” she notes, “and I think my team is noticing and growing because of it.”

The May 9th event included remarks from Marki Flannery, VNSNY’s President and CEO, Kerry Parker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, and Andrew Wise, Vice President, Talent Management & Organizational Development. The ceremony also featured a formal presentation of the ACE cohort’s Action Learning project, in which they used their ACE training to design an initiative that will enhance VNSNY’s operations in some way. Based on the goal of becoming “change agents to foster a culture of conversations,” the group’s project focused on improving interdepartmental communication at VNSNY, with specific recommendations such as holding quarterly gatherings (facilitated by ACE alumni) of representatives from across the organization; having every employee meet twice a year with a colleague from another part of VNSNY to network and exchange ideas; and encouraging employees to shadow colleagues from other areas to learn more about their roles.

Illustrated by Anne Gibbons, www.annedrawn.com.

A graphic exhibit showing the project presentation in pictures (reproduced above) is currently on display in Room 7A at VNSNY’s 1250 Broadway offices. “The way this year’s group came together to present their Action Learning project at the graduation was impressive,” says Amanda. “The powerful message they delivered showed me just how ready they are to rise to the next level of leadership, and positively influence the culture of VNSNY.”