Executive Director Omotayo Alli and five Academy alumni welcome the program's fourth class
PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — The Georgia Public Defender Council's Leadership Academy Class of 2026–2027 opened its year in Pine Mountain last week, beginning a nine-month leadership program developed in partnership with the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
The opening session began with a kickoff dinner on September 9. Executive Director Omotayo Alli welcomed the new class, and five Academy alumni spoke about their own year in the program — what it taught them, and what they carried back to their offices.
Two instructors from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government joined the class for the opening session.
Preparing Public Defenders to Lead
Now in its fourth year, the Leadership Academy prepares mid-career public defenders for expanded leadership responsibilities across GPDC's statewide network of offices. Over the coming months, the class will meet in communities across Georgia to build the skills leadership asks for: managing people, building budgets, setting strategy, and speaking for an office.
Alumni Leading the Way
The five alumni who spoke in Pine Mountain are part of a growing network of Academy graduates. Many have gone on to serve as Circuit Public Defenders, Managing Attorneys, and Division Directors across Georgia.
Last spring, 21 public defenders graduated from the Class of 2025–2026, each receiving a Certificate of Leadership Development from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Welcome, Class of 2026–2027.