Fort Belvoir, Va. –
The Anita Bales Leadership Development Program (ABLDP) is a senior level leadership development program, formerly known as the Directors Development Program in Leadership. This is an immersive 18-month program designed to prepare and train prospective DoD leaders. The rigorous curriculum incorporates training from top-tier civilian educational institutions that focus on ten specific DoD Civilian Leadership Development Continuum competencies in seminar format. The program also includes two capstone events, putting the theories participants learn into real-world practice.
Gabriela Meenan is a Regional Audit Manager for the DCAA’s Western Region who graduated from the program in October 2024. Gabriela applied after a fellow Regional Audit Manager shared their positive experience with the program. Once she completed a personal written statement and received endorsement from her leadership, she joined the fifth cohort of the ABLDP; “I started the application process early and coordinated my desire to participate with my leadership.”
Many of the ABLDP program participants have different goals, some are attracted to the program’s curriculum, while others are interested in progressing their careers to the Senior Executive Service (SES) level. For Gabriela, it was the combination of the program’s leadership development, collaboration opportunities, and continuous growth that caught her attention, “The highlight of this program is the cohort composition, opportunities to collaborate within and outside my agency, and enhance my leadership skills through the comprehensive curriculum. I really enjoyed working with people from other areas of DCAA and the DoD.”
Many ABLDP participants maintain their relationships after the program and frequently network when seeking solutions to complex challenges and hurdles. While cohort members spend plenty of time together in the classroom learning and working on projects, they also connect after classes; “Some of my favorite memories from this program include the opportunity to get to know other cohort members, develop rapport and build friendships by gathering for evening dinners and activities. I really enjoyed my time in this program, both inside and outside the classroom.”
Overall, Gabriela views her time in the ABLDP with high regard, “I highly recommend this program to others. The relationships I built, the knowledge I gained, and the experiences I had were truly unique and essential for my future goals. I am extremely grateful for this program and opportunity to have such a specialized program available at my organization.”