CLA graduates find purpose in leadership, embark on new journeys

McGuckin echoed Ymker's comments, saying his time in the Cook Leadership Academy gave him a clear direction for his life.

"You need to find your route where you want to become a leader, where your heart and passions lead you and the places where your skills are applicable," McGuckin said. "That is what was most beneficial to me."

The Cook Leadership Academy's 2024-2025 cohort includes: Lead fellows Abigail Austin, Aseel Ayesh, Alaysha Cannon, Isa Grunwaldt, Hannah Hosfelt, Anna Obi, Eric Satterlee, Georgia Skarzynski, Julia Smolinski and Emily Voisinet; Fellows Mariam Abdel-Moemen, Minna Abdel-Moemen, Emmanuel Addo, Jackie Adema, Tori Airo, Owen Appel, Lucero Arizaga Jimenez, Damon Arnold, Kyle Belian, Jackie Belkin, Shaun Boyland, Collin Christ, Jake Clarey, Lauryn Davis, Daniela De Andrade, Rylie Dietz, Jacklyn Driesenga, April Duran, Matt Engler, Elijah Fosu, Aly Furstenau, Lajla Hadzimujic, Maggie Hallead, CK Hamilton, Yash Hazari, Melanie Hernandez, Nancy Hoogwerf, Tamara Jones, Katie Karmanos, Lauren King, Sydney Lancaster, Grace Loftus, Maisha Marriott, Alex Martinez, Lalro Mawii, Evan McCarthy, Ian McGuckin, Lexie Medford, Pragya Mehla, Anees Mohammad, Matthew Moraw, Briannna Mucciante, Austin Nielsen, Lily Nykamp, Albert Okwei, Viola Pagnani, Jackelyn Palmas, Alec Palumbo, Lola Robar, Naomi Sang,