Haneen Aljuhani, Kelsey Boyd, Anna Cook, Eniko Csikos, Nikki Dean, Brianne Dorsey, Sophie Idilbi, Lam-Anh Le, Dawn McAvoy, Bonnie Norris, Richelle Plater, George Reese, and Jennifer Tether

Key Executive Leadership Program Team

The Key Executive Leadership Programs is considered the “gold standard” in leadership development for federal agencies and provides executive education to public sector leaders at all levels of government.

When the COVID pandemic forced AU and much of the US to quarantine and lockdown, the program abruptly halted. Not able to provide programming in the traditional in-person format, Key was at risk of losing many of its federal clients, reputation, and the external revenue generated by the program. Pivoting to a virtual delivery format was unprecedented as faculty, and federal clients were resistant to virtual programming. Managing government security and network firewalls was a tremendous challenge as each agency had its preferred virtual and approved platform. Additionally, to remain compliant with contracts and the federal fiscal budget, the 2020 programming had to be completed by the end of the year.

The challenges created purpose and opportunities to innovate and take risks. The Key team thrived and excelled in collaboration, support, and empathy. The team delivered more than 3,800 hours of class programming and support and 2,400 hours of executive coaching between May - December 2020 by providing content in a virtual delivery format on Zoom before the university adopted Zoom as its virtual platform. The Key program experienced zero attrition and attracted new clients, outpacing all financial expectations.

Congratulations to the Key Executive Leadership Program team for being selected as the 2021 Innovation and Change Award recipients, and thank you for all that you do for American University.