The Centennial Center for Leadership hosts a Leader-in-Residence each year. The Leader-in-Residence program is designed to provide the HWS community with extended access to leaders in a variety of fields. This year, we have two local leaders, Jackie Augustine and Jeff Henderson, who will immerse themselves in the campus culture and work to bring students, faculty, and citizens of the Finger Lakes together for programs and projects that share thematic elements.
Jeff, a Geneva native, has explored the world on a bicycle. He has spent time as a high school math teacher, journalist, bike shop mechanic, computer engineer, and professional triathlete, though his current calling is in the sport of triathlon as a race director. While envisioning the inaugural City of Portland Triathlon in 2007, Jeff encountered a neglected, polluted downtown river that threatened the viability of the proposed event because residents were afraid to swim in it. Instead of accepting the prevailing statewide sentiments of apathy and disgust, Jeff initiated a call-to-arms for its rehabilitation and a restoration of hope in the public's eye. In Geneva, Jeff has spent the last seven years directing the Musselman Triathlon, an annual July event that reaches beyond sport to stitch together many disparate elements of this community. Forming an umbrella over these projects and their ideals is the Council for Responsible Sport, a non-profit organization he co-founded in 2007 to enable race directors to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their event planning model.
Immediately following her graduation from William Smith, Jackie has devoted the last ten years to service as a City Councilor for Geneva's First Ward, becoming the youngest female elected official in New York State. She has approached the post with tenacity and caring, applying the principles cultivated through her study of Ethics (at HWS and later in Doctoral work at the University of Rochester) in efforts to make Geneva a great place to live, work, and play. While representing the First Ward, Jackie has often avoided myopic decision-making in order to realize a more holistic vision for Geneva: a healthy populace, safe and welcoming neighborhoods, and a vibrant downtown. Jackie has led several community organizations promoting social justice and continues to make that a hallmark of her public service.
Throughout their year as Leaders-in-Residence, Jeff and Jackie will be establishing several of their own projects with the assistance of HWS students, mentoring students who are eager to start their own projects on campus or within Geneva, and furthering the connection between the HWS and Geneva community.
Moreover, Jeff and Jackie will promote the theme of this year's Leader-in-Residence program, moral courage. The concept of moral courage begins with the premise that we, as members of a community, have an obligation to work for its betterment. Through tasks large and small, projects wide-ranging and immediate, we can (and must) strive to immerse ourselves in the lives of our fellow citizens so that we may all realize a more robust quality of life. Moral courage is the internal tug to do what's needed, when it's needed, for the right reasons, always. It is the bedrock upon which all endeavors can be built and it is a fundamental trait of effective leadership. Moral courage serves as a guidepost as we navigate rough waters of effective and ethical leadership.
JoAnn Heisen P'12, April 2009
Former Chief Information Officer at Johnson & Johnson and the first woman on Johnson & Johnson's executive committee, Heisen offered her expertise as a corporate leader to the entire HWS community. She engaged with students during workshops on women in leadership and diversity in leadership and offered her perspective about leadership in uncertain times in a session attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni and alumnae.
For more information about the Leaders-in-Residence program or to receive updates on upcoming workshops, lectures and events, contact (315) 781-4550.
