Celebrating Our First Emerging Leaders Program Graduates

At Group 1001, employees are our number one asset. That's why we're proud to celebrate a milestone in our leadership development practices: 36 team members recently graduated from our inaugural Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) – a three-month course designed to equip high-potential talent with the skills and tools to lead the future of our organization.

Building a Strong Talent Pipeline at Group 1001

As we continue to grow, developing leaders from within is a strategic priority. The ELP course is a key component of that strategy. The ELP prepares the next generation of leaders who can adapt to the evolving needs of our business, champion our culture, and help drive long-term success across our companies.

“Watching this first cohort step into their potential has been one of the most rewarding parts of building this program – these are the future leaders of our company,” said Vice President of Talent Management Josh White. “Their dedication and commitment to excellence are exactly what will carry Group 1001 forward.”

A Three-Stage Leadership Development Journey

The program is built around three key stages – foundation, cultivate, and emerge – each designed to build on the last.

Foundation is where the course begins. Participants learn their strengths, reflect on their career aspirations, define their personal values, and discover their “why.”

Cultivate shifts the focus to action. This stage introduces the habits and skills that transform contributors into impact players.

Emerge brings the program full circle with a focus on connection, communication, and personal branding.

ELP graduate Tristan Suel, Supervisor, Gainbridge Member Experience, shared: “I couldn't have asked for a better experience with the ELP. It gave me the space to identify both my strengths and areas for growth, while feeling genuinely supported throughout the course. I started applying what I learned from the beginning and have enjoyed doing so daily ever since. My favorite part was connecting and learning from other emerging leaders within Group 1001.”

2026 ELP Cohort

Congratulations to our 2026 ELP cohort!

Zionsville cohort:

• Stephen Anderson, Senior Manager, Sponsorships

• Kaylynn Cline, Social Media Content Creator

• Jared Cummings, Director, Financial Planning and Analysis

• Amber Deford, Customer Service Coordinator II

• Rylee Fels, Marketing Communications Specialist

• Natasha Gaskin, Tax Manager

• Jonathan Gerber, Senior Investment Operations Analyst

• India Graves, Contact Center Team Lead

• Tyrone Jordan, Supervisor, In-Force Operations

• Marcus McFalls, Team Lead, Agent Services Processing and QC

• Jacqueline Mckey, Associate Director, Finance

• Quintin Meyers, Contact Center Team Lead

• Morgan Murphy, Manager, Community Impact & Engagement

• Lucas Oliveira, Associate Director, Investment Reporting

• Taylor Richardson, Senior Compliance Consultant

• Evan Russell, Senior Accountant

• Patrick Smith, Associate Director, Investment Finance

• Tristan Suel, Supervisor, Gainbridge Member Experience

• Melissa Velasquez, Conference & Event Coordinator

Remote cohort:

• Maria Alvarez, Senior Compliance Consultant

• Mildred Caba, Associate Director, Finance

• Katie Day, Senior Compliant Resolution Consultant

• Jessica Estevez, Operations Relationship Manager

• Spencer Harrison, Associate Director, Compliance

• Meredith Hayes, Director, Internal Audit

• Shelby Hehir, Associate Director, IT Support Specialist

• Sarah Huffer, Director Insurance Products and Filings

• Philip Kang, Associate Director, Actuarial

• Kim Rutherford, Team Lead, Operations

• Allen Sallinger, Developer Experience Engineer

• Jeff Sayler, Associate Director, Investment Operations

• Leslie Solis, Workday Security Analyst

• Kendra Thompson, Supervisor, Agency Success

• Pierre Tournier, Director, Model Validation

• Kayla Watts, Director, Financial Planning and Analysis

• Jacob West, Data Analyst