Women We Admire named Dr. Terri Dunn of Andalusia as one of its top 50 Women Leaders from Alabama to 2023. The announcement was made on the Monday of December. 4.
These outstanding leaders have played a significant role across different sectors, including the fields of academia, healthcare, and non-profit organisations. While Alabama continues to grow and grow, it has seen extraordinary contributions from women who have played key parts in determining the direction of the state. The awardees this year have different perspectives, experiences, and methods of problem-solving in fostering creativity and innovation in organizations. They are examples and sources of inspiration for women and girls, inspiring women to take on leadership positions and challenge traditional gender roles.
“I am humbled to be mentioned amongst such wonderful women. It’s certainly a privilege to be nominated and acknowledged in this manner however, in the end to me, it’s all about helping others. I’m eager to assist others in achieving their maximum potential and am grateful for a job and opportunities to be a part of programs that let me accomplish this. This is something that I am extremely interested in and I am determined to make an impact in the lives of people near me.” Dunn said.
Dr. Dunn began her professional career nearly 24 years ago, working as an accountant for an area CPA firm. In the following years, she landed an additional job as a teacher of accounting and business classes by way of adjunct instructors at the local community college which eventually led to full-time employment as the director of a program dubbed “School-to-Career.” This was when she realized that she was on the right track to fulfill her dream.
Over the last 21 years Dr. Dunn has served in different roles inside the Alabama Community College System where she is a highly experienced administrator who is adept at organizational leadership as well as consulting, program development as well as problem-solving, assessment student and instructor development grant writing and budgeting, development of the workforce as well as coaching and efficiency planning. In her current position she is the director of workforce development. Dunn works directly with WIOA Title II sub-recipient award programs located within the Southern region of Alabama to develop partnerships and expand programs that meet the industrial and business needs of the current and future workforce.
In all the roles which she has been involved In all the roles she has held, she has served in many capacities. Dunn is most passionate in helping others to develop. She has supervised leadership programs for a number of years. She is also the founder of the Covington County Youth Leadership Program, where she collaborates with other education and business professionals to provide leadership development for high school students.
Dr. Dunn is a Certified Talent Developer for the State of Alabama and is part of the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways which is a group that is part of the Alabama Workforce Council tasked with annually identifying statewide and regional careers, occupations that are in demand and credentials that are valuable. She has served in her community through various boards, and served the state of Alabama as a member and president of the Alabama Adult Education Directors’ Association and as President of the Alabama Association for Public and Continuing Adult Education. She is currently as a member of the Professional Development Planning Team for the National Association of State Directors of Adult Education.
Dr. Dunn’s academic background includes master’s and bachelor’s qualifications from Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and an advanced doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law. She is also a proud graduate from the Alabama Community College Leadership Academy that is offered by the University of Alabama.
Dr. Dunn and her husband, Scott, have been married for 27 years. They reside in Andalusia with their two children, Gabrien (21), an incoming junior in Huntingdon College, and Adelaide (15) who is an incoming student attending Straughn High School.
The story Dunn is named as one of the Women We Admire’s Most Admired 50 Female Leaders of Alabama for 2023 appeared in The Andalusia Star-News.
