Just as this year’s Class 25 Fellows graduate, the UF/IFAS Extension Natural Resources Leadership Institute (NRLI) has more to celebrate as Joy Hazell is named permanent director after spending more than a year as interim.
“I’m excited to take on a new challenge because I believe in the people who came before me,” Hazell said. “I hope I can live up to our mission and keep the institute strong and evolving.”
Over the course of eight months and a series of sessions held across the state, the institute educates natural resource professionals in skills, concepts, tools, and strategies related to collaborative decision making, conflict management, communication and negotiation.
“Combined with her strong understanding of Florida’s natural resource landscape, Joy leads in a way that’s thoughtful, steady, and genuinely engaging,” said Jake Fojtik, Florida Farm Bureau assistant director of government and community affairs and current Class 25 Fellow.
“Throughout the past year, Joy has guided this year’s Fellows to better navigate tough conversations and build lasting, effective relationships across diverse groups throughout the natural resources sector,” said Fojtik.
The Fellows graduate after completing a practicum applying leadership skills acquired through their participation in NRLI. This year’s Class 25 Graduation Banquet is held on Saturday, April 18, presented by the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.
Since its origination in 1998 the institute has graduated over 650 Fellows.
Hazell has deep ties to NRLI. She graduated as a Fellow from Class 9 and later joined as part of the project team in 2011.
“I have had great mentors in the program, John Dain, the former director of NRLI, and stepping into the interim position, I thought to myself, these are really big shoes to fill but also thought about the strength of my team and our alumni,” Hazell said. “If I remember that and concentrate on my ability to support the legacy, then we’ll bring NRLI into the next 25 years of protecting and sustaining Florida’s natural resources.”
“This isn’t about me. This is about NRLI and I have such a dedicated team,” Hazell said. “I really sat with this decision and then remembered that leadership is not about being the person in front but bringing other people up and engaging their expertise and knowledge.”
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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