DPPL Graduates Prepare for the Future

Graduates of the fifth Directors Developmental Program in Leadership (DDPL) cohort attended graduation on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Va. The 20 graduates from seven different agencies celebrated their achievements completing the 18-month program. Throughout the program, participants develop and apply leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities to become effective leaders at the highest levels of the Department of Defense. The program travels to ten universities and military education institutions around the United States and classes are taught by top professors. At the end of the program, DDPL members spend time at the Pentagon and Capital Hill, learning and applying what they learned to the highest levels of the United States government.

Mr. Maxwell Walens gave a speech on behalf of the Cohort's graduating class, sharing; "Reflecting on why I joined the DDPL program, it was the promise of a unique and valuable educational experience that initially drew me in. DDPL absolutely delivered on this promise. The concepts, theories, and frameworks taught have added valuable tools to our leadership toolkits. I know many of us have already started using these tools to navigate complex challenges with greater confidence and clarity."

Ms. Jennifer Desautel, Director, DCAA, spoke directly to the cohort and shared how the program has evolved since she participated in the first cohort. She passed words of wisdom to the cohort, "Continue to embrace challenges as opportunities and collaborate across agencies to drive innovation and progress. Above all, lead your organizations with vision, courage, and compassion."

The graduates are:

• Mr. Matthew Browne: Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• Mr. Steven Butler: Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• Ms. Kimberly Carder: Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
• Mr. Kevin Cassidy: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Fontaine Chapman: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Latonya Johnson: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Robert Kilburn: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Scott Kozenski: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
• Mr. Michael Mandolfo: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Gabriela Meenan: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Joseph Merryweather: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Avelino Munoz: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Jaclyn Parziale: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Michael Quant: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Mr. Brian Reinhart: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Nancy Spinney: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Nicole Spruill: Defense Contract Audit Agency
• Ms. Lisa Steenburn: U.S Army Corps of Engineers
• Mr. Corey Squires: Defense Logistics Agency
• Mr. Maxwell Walens: Defense Logistics Agency