Emory University – 21st Century Leaders

Alumni Spotlight: Patrice Johnson

Anne Gahongayire — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:59:46 +0000

For our 35th anniversary, we’ll be sharing the stories of 35 alumni showcasing the leaders they are today and how 21st Century Leaders inspired and impacted their journey. Alumni will represent the 3.5 decades since our founding in 1989 – the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Take a read and be inspired!

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

2010’s Decade
Name: Patrice Johnson
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2014
High School: Northgate High School
College: Spelman College/ Emory University
Current Role: MBA Candidate, Goizueta Business School-Emory University

How has your career unfolded, and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for college, new leadership roles, and beyond?

Since participating in 21CL, I was admitted into my dream college, Spelman College, where I discovered my passion for Economics. I graduated with a BA in Economics in 2018, and after graduating, I had the privilege of working at Delta Air Lines and Apple Inc. in roles I genuinely enjoyed. Currently, I am pursuing my MBA at Emory University, with plans to transition into Investment Banking post-graduation. 21CL provided me with early exposure to the business world and helped shape my leadership skills. It also emphasized the importance of investing in youth, which is why I’ve consistently dedicated my time to programs that develop the next generation of leaders throughout the matriculation of my career.

What’s your most memorable or ‘aha’ moment from your time at 21CL?

My most memorable experience with 21CL was a business etiquette dinner where we learned practical skills like taking small bites to stay engaged in conversation and signaling to wait staff when we are finished with a plate. As my career has evolved, I have seen firsthand the importance of networking, and those early lessons on presence and etiquette at business dinners have been invaluable. At the time, I didn’t realize just how crucial these skills would be, but over ten years later, they remain tools I rely on and that have served me well.

Did 21CL help you develop a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?

21CL is very intentional about giving students early opportunities to lead. During one program, I was asked to say the dedication over dinner—a first for me. While it was a small task, the experience felt empowering, and the encouragement I received afterward showed me that leadership doesn’t have to be intimidating. This lesson gave me confidence to step into new leadership roles and taught me to volunteer for opportunities, even if they make me nervous or are unfamiliar.

Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? What advice would you give to current or future students?

Programs like 21CL are invaluable, and I believe the most valuable assets they offer are visibility and representation. It is much easier for one to believe in their potential when they see people who look like them achieving things they dream of. My advice to current and future 21CL students is to nurture the relationships they build with their cohort—many will go on to achieve incredible things, and those connections will pay dividends throughout their career. And most importantly, always find ways to give back!

Share the Inspiration!

Alumni Spotlight: Abdallah Al-Obaidi

Anne Gahongayire — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:21:33 +0000

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

2010’s Decade
Name: Abdallah Al-Obaidi
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2016
High School: Apalachee High School
College: Emory University/Tufts University School of Medicine
Current Role: MD/MBA Candidate

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

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Rachel Fowler

The 21st Century Leaders program has been the cornerstone of my American journey since my arrival from Jordan, providing me with invaluable insights into the complexities of the American educational system and the requirements of the intricate college application process. Beyond mere preparation, 21CL has shaped my personal and professional identity, seamlessly integrating academic excellence with a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and fostering a profound sense of self-awareness. This transformative experience has not only demystified the college application process but has also equipped me with the crucial skill of self-advocacy. As I stand at the threshold of my collegiate journey, I carry with me the indelible impact of 21CL, which goes beyond academic preparation to prepare me for a leadership role within both the college and the broader community, laying the foundation for a future marked by meaningful contributions to society.

What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)

One of the standout and enlightening moments from my tenure at 21CL was undeniably the transformative experience during the etiquette workshop, which immersed us in the art of proper dining. For someone who just moved to the US at the time, the guidance on the nuances of tableware utilization, the graceful passing of food, and the adept use of nonverbal cues to signify the ongoing or completed nature of one’s meal left a long-lasting impact, one I am often thankful and reminiscent of.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?

At the time, it would be an overstatement to say I was a leader in any sense. I was knee-deep in figuring out life after moving to the US. As I progressed through the crucible of higher education, the understanding that anyone can be a leader, even of a team of two, became evident, but the true essence lies in leading effectively—a nuanced interplay between knowing when to lead and when to follow. 21CL unknowingly set me up with the knack for being a good team player, teaching me that effective leadership is this dance between leading and following that makes a real impact.

Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?

21CL took a chance on me when I first came to the US. I am an example of what investing in your community looks like: a former Iraqi refugee who fled the war has made it to college, and now medical school. Working hard alone would not have helped me come this far. I was lucky, but I have since learned the subtle art of getting lucky.

“Getting lucky” is not about random chances. Rather, it is about looking for and creating opportunities, about being able to find the silver linings even in the middle of the darkest clouds, and to insist on being seen, despite, and in spite, of all I went through as a refugee.

Share the Inspiration!

Alumni Spotlight: Mark Lindemann

Anne Gahongayire — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 19:32:56 +0000

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

2000’s Decade
Name: Mark Lindemann
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2009
High School: Chamblee High School
College: Emory University; University of Miami Law School
Current Role: Corporate Attorney, DLA Piper, LLP

Paint a brief picture of yourself and what you are doing now.

I am an avid Braves fan and recreational softball player with a penchant for word games. I live in Chamblee with my wife, Erika, and dog, Paisley. And I am an attorney in DLA Piper’s Private Equity Group where I represent private equity firms and private companies in mergers and acquisitions as well as general corporate matters.

When were you in high school and which 21CL programs did you participate in?

I graduated from Chamblee High School in 2009 and I participated in the 2007 Summer Leadership Institute at Georgia Southern University.

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

Upon graduation from Emory University, my career started in consulting where I advised companies on compensation and rewards practices. I eventually left that role to take on the challenge of law school. Upon graduation from the University of Miami School of Law, I returned to Georgia where I began working as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Justice Division of the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. After some time there, I decided to pivot back to the business world and moved into my current role working on private transactions of all sizes.

What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)

I recall one program where we were split into teams and each team had to build a tower out of plastic straws. Building the tower was easy. The hard part was getting the entire team to agree on a single structure design. Our team, like many, incorporated a few different design elements from different team members. The teams that fared the best seemed to be the teams that melded various ideas together into something cohesive. The activity helped shape my view that, for me, leadership is often a collaborative effort.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so, how? And if you’ve recently learned something else about leadership please share!

Yes, 21CL helped me develop a highly collaborative leadership style. I always solicit input from numerous stakeholders to create a cooperative work environment and help maintain engagement.

What advice would you give to a current or future student?

Networking opportunities may arise at any time and any place. Be prepared to take advantage of such opportunities.

How would you describe 21CL?

Exciting, Enlightening, Empowering!

Share the inspiration!

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Jyoti Sharma

Anne Gahongayire — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:17:43 +0000

35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight

1990’s Decade
Name: Dr. Jyoti Sharma
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 1998
High School: Chamblee Charter High School
College: Emory University
Current Role: Medical Director, Women’s Heart Program at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?

I grew up in Atlanta and prided myself on going to a high achieving diverse magnet high school. As a young woman of color, I felt like my school and family had taught me a good deal about diversity and understanding others. During my summer with 21CL, I remember how I was struck to spend time with students from rural and small communities that were nothing like mine. 21CL taught me that the concept of diversity encompasses more than just ethnicity and socioeconomic status and helped me to expand my idea of community and instilled in me the importance of seeking to understand others. As a practicing physician, I know that I am doing the right thing for the patient when I first listen and then seek to truly understand their concerns.

What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)

One of my most memorable moments at 21CL was leading my first group discussion and actually putting leadership into practice. Being a leader is challenging and takes a lot of work. Spending the week interacting with other young leaders gave me the confidence to stand up and practice my leadership skills, things like- communicating effectively, being an active listener, practicing problem-solving, and building up the courage to speak with authenticity.

Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?

Before I went to 21CL, I had not interacted with students outside my neighborhood and immediate community. It was a great opportunity to meet students with different families, different values, different academic priorities, and meet students who had different ways of imagining what success could look like for them in the future. Learning how to communicate and build bridges with other students that were not like me was one of the most valuable skills that I learned at 21CL. I spend most of my days now communicating with different people across a large healthcare system and aligning members of different groups behind important initiatives. My time at 21CL was foundational for my understanding and practice of how I relate and communicate with others.

Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?

My advice for a current and future student is to Believe in yourself! So many of us struggle with self-doubt, with imposter syndrome and ask ourselves “Do I belong here? Am I good enough?” The answer is yes! My summer with 21CL was critical in building my understanding of my leadership potential and abilities. It was a place to explore the kind of leader I wanted to be and gave me access to connect with others so I could understand what different kinds of leadership styles looked like in real life. I want to encourage students to stretch themselves, try something hard, stick with it, and believe in themselves.

Share the inspiration!