Darlene Drew

    As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Member, a Speaker, Leadership Trainer and Executive Coach, I can offer you workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, one on one and/or group coaching, aiding your personal and professional growth through study and practical application of John's proven leadership methods. Working together, I will move you and/your team or organization in the desired direction to reach your goals.

With enthusiasm, I joined the John Maxwell Team in December 2017. It was a perfect fit for me because its core values and interest aligns with mine. Particularly, we have a shared calling with a like passion and purpose of building up people by speaking, teaching and training on personal and professional development. In 2017, I launched my own business and serve as Owner & Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Conditioning, Personal & Professional Development, LLC. I offer the services of Speaking, Teaching, Leadership Training, Personal & Professional Development Training, Communication Training, Maxwell DISC Training and Executive Coaching.  My life and leadership experience have positioned me to readily provide these services on a full time basis. In my prior career working in Law Enforcement - Corrections in the Federal Sector, I frequently created and hosted Leadership Training for my direct reports while running Federal Correctional Facilities. Because I thoroughly enjoyed every book that I read by John C. Maxwell, without exception it was required reading for participants in the Leadership Training Courses, Workshops and Seminars.

I enjoyed working in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for over 32 years, where I occupied senior leadership positions with direct responsibilities to over see staff for thirty of those years. In 2008, I was appointed into the Senior Executive Services (SES) and held the position as Warden for 11 years, Associate Warden for 8 years, along with various positions in the Human Resource Management component for approximately 7 years, along with Executive Assistant/ Public Information Officer for approximately five years. I relocated pursuant to the custom of the agency to assume positions of greater responsibilities nine times in the course of my career.

I served as the first and only woman in the position as Warden of the infamous United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, Georgia which opened in 1902. I completed four and a half years in the assignment exceeding the average tenure of my five most immediate predecessors. With the support of some extraordinary staff, I was able to fulfill the Agency mission of safety and security, while also placing staff development as an equivalent priority despite some criticisms for it. While some have thought and held the perspective that it is impossible to provide training beyond the typical basic requirements to staff and run a prison, I have always taken the position that we could not afford to delay the provision of offering beyond the required training to staff. Therefore, I found a way to provide it, which was not difficult for me. As such, I have hosted many training forums. The most notable ones include, but is not limited to several Women’s Symposiums and the Going Pro Leadership Conferences, which were lauded by its participants. I provided training on other topics which included Communication, Contract Negotiations, Building Relationships, How to Manage Your Supervisor, How to Manage Your Staff, How to be a Better Supervisor, Performance vs. Conduct and many more. One of my most renowned Leadership Trainings was a twelve month program,The Moving & Striving Toward Excellence, Respect & Success (MASTER’s) Program that included Graduate Level course work with a requirement to maintain a 3.0 grade point average to remain in the course. During my career in the Bureau of Prisons, I earned credibility as a skilled passionate professional Speaker, Leadership Trainer, Mentor and Leadership Coach. I participated on numerous panels and served as Keynote Speaker at many events within and outside of the agency. 

I also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois, where I taught Ethics, Integrity & Social Responsibility during a Summer Session to graduate students.

In my career in Corrections, I was among the smallest percentile of Federal employees appointed to the Senior Executive Service. I was awarded the prestigious Attorney General Award for Mentoring Staff, which was presented to me by the Honorable Attorney General Janet Reno, along with Eric Holder, who was Deputy Attorney General, at the time. I was awarded the distinquished Susan M. Hunter award presented by the Association of Women Executives in Corrections for my work in creating and hosting Leadership Programs for staff. I was also the recipient of the Regional Director’s Award for developing Staff Training Programs.

I enjoyed the great pleasure to attend the Women and Power Program at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. I am an alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Executive Education. I earned my Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Governor State University. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University.

I was fortunate enough to recognize my passion early in my life. Through advanced education, regular application of using my gifts and skills, I have been able to help others achieve their goals through professional speaking, training, teaching and coaching in the area of personal growth and professional development.  Helping individuals grow is not work for me. It is beyond something I merely have the skills to do. This is what I am called to do! I would be thrilled to work with you. Are you ready? Come on, let's get started!

Contact me, I am looking forward to assisting on your journey to raising your leadership level.