November December 2024 - 40

| BY AMERICANHORT STAFF
from americanhort to you
HRI Leadership Academy:
Impacting professional
and personal lives
In 2022, AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research
Institute (HRI) partnered to develop horticulture's future
leaders, today. The HRI Leadership Academy was created
to fulfill this mission, with an intensive leadership training
program for individuals seeking to strategically and
thoughtfully guide teams and organizations.
CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD
The HRI Leadership Academy's inaugural class of 14
participants began the journey in the fall of 2022 to
enhance management and communications skills, develop
strategic decision-making tools and hone individual
motivation techniques. The class was an example of the
horticulture industry's diversity, with participants coming
from the garden retail, nursery, landscape, greenhouse
and allied industry segments.
The curriculum, which applies equally well across
professional levels and individuals' objectives, included both
in-person and online instruction. The program culminated
in a LEAD team project, in which individuals: learn and
research an industry issue; engage with their team and
Over the last two years,
I've noticed that I have
increased my ability to do
those interpersonal
interactions, those hard
conversations, so that
absolutely has impacted me.
It has been a true shift in my
style and my approach.
- Christine Fortman
40 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 GPNMAG.COM
others; adopt a position and solution; and deliver analysis
and recommendations.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Despite the time spent away from family and businesses,
participants found the academy's year-long commitment
to be life-changing.
Kyle Fessler, greenhouse production manager for
Woodburn Nursery in Woodburn, Oregon, participated in
the academy to ensure he was well-prepared to steward
the family business when the transition to his generation
takes place.
" I need to set myself up for future success, to learn
the skills and build the tools necessary to be an effective
leader for our organization, " Fessler explained.
With the program, Fessler said he found " a good
opportunity to help build those skills that I'm looking for,
that I will eventually need for an expanded leadership role
within the company. "
For Christine Fortman, co-owner of Berridge Nurseries
in Phoenix, Arizona, the academy provided an opportunity
for professional and personal growth. Having had a
corporate job outside of the industry before joining the
family retail garden center business, she learned more
about leading a horticulture-specific business.
" I've spent the last decade getting up, going to work,
doing the work and going home, " Fortman said. " I thought
there should be something else that I could be involved
in, learn from and be a part of. (The HRI Leadership
Academy) helped me gain a different perspective across
the industry. "
Fortman credits the opportunity with broadening her
view of the industry beyond retail. " There's a whole other
world of horticulture going on that I just wasn't exposed
to, so that was really exciting for me, " she said.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Both Fortman and Fessler said the HRI Leadership
Academy improved their communication and interpersonal
skills. Fortman admits that interactions with their staff
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November December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November December 2024
