July 15, 2021

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is an active supporter of Leadership Fairfax, sending two or three mid-level managers to the organization’s annual 10-month programs. The mission of the Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI) and the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) is to inspire, connect, develop and engage leaders to impact issues facing the county and surrounding region.

This year’s LFI class included Jamilah Dalton, recently promoted to the rank of captain. She is responsible for two of the four confinement squads that operate the Adult Detention Center. Her LFI team of eight examined how the concept of the “whole healthy child” is addressed in Fairfax County schools.

Dalton valued an exercise on having difficult conversations. “The exercise tested the boundaries of each class member’s comfort level and resulted in an engaging, thoughtful and compassionate conversation with others who had differing opinions and perspectives,” she explained. “It was a reminder of what we can all accomplish together when we take the time to hear each other without pretense or defensiveness.”

Sergeant Kathleen Carter and Sergeant Michelle Carter (no relation) both enjoyed their experiences in ELI.

Kathleen Carter’s team project was a webinar/Facebook Live event with the nonprofit OAR, a Sheriff’s Office partner that teaches inmates life skills and facilitates re-entry efforts. “Restoring More Than Justice” was primarily a discussion among two prosecutors and a judge about alternative sentencing and diversion programs. Kathleen Carter said the most important thing she learned from ELI was “investing in myself and others.” She looks forward to sharing everything she learned with the Sheriff’s Office and the community.

Michelle Carter remarked that ELI offered a different perspective on leadership and the process of developing good decision-making skills. An important takeaway for her was learning that teamwork requires trust. “You have to trust your team members to utilize their strengths to get the project completed,” she said. “When you allow others to shine, the plan comes together.”

Leadership Fairfax participants come from businesses, non-profits, faith-based organizations and Fairfax County government agencies. This year’s programs were held virtually due to Covid-19. Learn more about Leadership Fairfax.