LINK COO Graduates from ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute
August 1, 2022
Golden Triangle, Mississippi – Golden Triangle Development LINK’s Chief Operating Officer, Meryl Fisackerly, graduated from the Appalachia Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute. Fisackerly’s successful completion of the extensive nine-month training program concluded with a July 28 graduation ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“I am thrilled that Meryl was selected to participate in such a prestigious program.” said Joe Max Higgins, Jr., CEO of the Golden Triangle Development LINK. “The transferable practices that the class was exposed to will make the Golden Triangle region and the ARC Region stronger as a whole. Having a representative like Meryl in the class helps show the region just what kind of young leadership talent is in Mississippi and, for that reason, our future is bright!”
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. The current class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute includes representatives from a range of industry sectors, including education, health care, economic development, and public service.
In the nine months leading up to graduation, fellows participated in three virtual sessions and three in-person sessions, all of which included skill-building seminars with regional experts, peer-to-peer learning, and case study analysis. All aspects of the curriculum were designed to equip fellows with the knowledge and network needed to create positive change in their communities.
“I am honored to have been chosen for such a wonderful opportunity,” said Fisackerly. “The relationships formed and practices I learned are incredibly valuable, and I am so excited to share them with my community.”








