June 10, 2024 — PEF members have upped their leadership skills by participating in the first PEF Leadership Institute, which kicked off in July of last year and wrapped with a final meeting a few weeks ago. As part of the program, each member proposed a project that advanced the strategic interests of PEF and the goals of the union, its members, and the communities they serve.
“Building a strong foundation of leaders is vital to PEF’s future,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “Participants of the Leadership Institute worked on projects from how to fill steward vacancies, to creating council leader networking opportunities, to building social engagement among younger members, creating new member orientations, and brainstorming campaigns for Tier 6 pension reform. Congratulations to all the members who participated in the institute and PEF will continue to work with the members as they move forward with their leadership roles in the union.”
Participants that attended the final meeting included:
-
- Alan Fish, an ITS 3 with the Law Department in Region 8
- Sandy Darby-Roberts, a labor services representative with the Department of Labor in Brooklyn
- Dr. Wanda Bates, a psychologist at Fishkill Correctional Facility
- Jacob Daly-Engel, an education trainee for the State Education Department in Region 8
- Haris Ismail, a senior transportation analyst with the Department of Transportation in Region 1
- Alison Rissing, a parole officer in White Plains
- Blessing Ijeoma, an RN2 at Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services Office
- Michelle Rosello, a social worker 2 at Creedmore Psychiatric Center
- Mickey Dobbin, a research collections technician at the State Education Department in Region 8
- Ivan Giannou, an RN 2 at Pilgram Psychiatric Center
- Brian Silva, an investigative officer with the Department of Labor in Region 8
The mission of the PEF Leadership Institute is to not only help build upon the skills of PEF’s current leaders, but to develop the skills of new ones. It recognizes the strength that comes from having leaders of all age groups and generations. Learn more about the institute here.
