OPD5 CEO Completes Harvard Leadership Program

OPD5 CEO/General Manager MeLisa Garcia completed Harvard University’s Executive Leadership Series for Electric Cooperative Leaders earlier this month, earning a certificate through the Harvard Division of Continuing Education Professional and Executive Development program.

Garcia participated in the three-day curriculum on Aug. 3-5 at the prestigious Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She joined about 30 electric cooperative industry leaders from across the country for an intensive exploration of strategic leadership, artificial intelligence, organizational change and emerging technologies.

The program examined the rapidly changing environment facing electric utilities and focused on helping cooperative leaders understand how new technologies and innovative approaches can be incorporated into organizational strategy. Learning topics included artificial intelligence and the emerging technology “stack,” business applications beyond ChatGPT, strategic responses to technological change, stakeholder engagement, creating a shared organizational vision, leading successful change initiatives, building trust during periods of innovation and managing transition risks.

For Garcia, the experience reinforced the importance of continuous learning and adaptability as OPD5 prepares for the future.

“Leadership is a continuous journey of learning, reflection and growth,” Garcia said. “My experience in Harvard’s Executive Leadership Series challenged me to think differently about self-leadership, agile teams, change management, data strategy and the growing role of AI.”

Garcia said the opportunity to learn alongside other electric cooperative leaders was an especially valuable part of the experience.

“Learning alongside these industry leaders made the experience even more meaningful and reinforced the value of staying curious, adaptable and committed to becoming a more effective industry leader,” she said.

Garcia emphasized that the lessons from the program extend beyond technology and leadership development. As OPD5 continues planning for system growth, infrastructure investment, reliability and changing customer needs, effective leadership requires keeping the broader community in mind, she said.

“The decisions made inside and for OPD5 affect all of the communities we serve,” Garcia said. “I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Garcia expressed appreciation to the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (NRUCFC), National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange for providing the opportunity to participate in the program. She also thanked the OPD5 Board of Trustees for supporting her continued professional education.

“Investing in leadership is an investment in the future of OPD5 and the communities we serve,” Garcia said.

OPD5 Board Chairman Jack Nelson said that he was pleased that Garcia had been able to attend this valuable program. “The board thanks MeLisa for her strong commitment to excellence,” he said. “Programs like this just add to that excellence. We are so proud that she attended this Harvard class and survived.”