Megan Fagnani, Shaker Logistics’ Director of People and Operations, recently completed The Leadership Institute, a professional leadership development program produced by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Fagnani was among 24 individuals who were selected from various Capital Region organizations for this 6-month program. The curriculum included leadership skill-building, networking, and community service opportunities.

“As someone who is not originally from the Albany area, this was an awesome way to learn about the Capital Region and network with a lot of professionals,” Fagnani said. “The class members were from all different industries and walks of life. We bonded as a group and I know that I’ve made lifelong connections.”

The Leadership Institute includes a two-day retreat focused on personal development and team-building, and then subsequently includes monthly training sessions focused on a specific topic, often featuring a keynote speaker or panel discussion.

“Listening to these esteemed community members talk about their career paths and provide insight into how they lead on a day-to-day basis was invaluable,” said Fagnani. “A common focus throughout the training topics was to always lead with empathy. Take care of your employees and they will take care of you. Learning how to alter your communication as a leader is necessary if you want to be successful.”

Since joining Shaker Logistics in March 2021 as the company’s first human resources hire, Fagnani has made enormous contributions and expanded her role to include operational responsibilities. She’s led the charge on the company’s driver recruitment push during a difficult hiring market and has pushed her colleagues to think more strategically about human resources and how the employee experience impacts business goals.