Loretta Tillery, CPM has been named the 2023 recipient of the Kenneth K. Henning Award by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers® (AACPM), their highest award recognizing professional excellence in public service.
Tillery is an alumna of the Regional Executive Development Program (REDP), a year-long program run in partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and GW's Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL). The REDP program is open to local government leaders across the Metropolitan Washington area and leads to a Certified Public Manager® designation.
She is the 30th recipient in the history of the award and the first graduate of the REDP program to receive this honor. This award recognizes her commitment to the principles of public service. She found that being involved in the national association (AACPM) was an avenue for her to live out that commitment.
According to Dennis Martino, the 28th recipient of the award, “The Henning Award, named for the CPM® program founder, Kenneth K. Henning, is presented annually to an active Academy Fellow whose contributions to their profession, community, society, and Academy have been superlative. Loretta Tillery is very deserving of this award.”
"Loretta exemplifies the best in public leadership, taking what she learned in the Regional Executive Development Program about leading effectively across boundaries of all sorts -- political, geographic, social, economic -- to make the opportunities of society available to everyone. She extended her vision beyond the metropolitan Washington region throughout the nation, through her participation in the American Academy of Certified Public Managers® (AACPM), both as a member and as President."
Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon
GW CEPL Associate Director
Loretta currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. She was previously a member of County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III’s administration serving as Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education.
She received her Bachelor of Administration from Cheyney University of PA, Master of Public Policy from Bowie State University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Certified Public Manager® Education Foundation (CPMEF). She is also a Past National President of the Academy of Certified Public Managers® (AACPM) and a Past National President of the Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA).
"Currently, as a member of the Board of Directors of the CPM Education Foundation, Loretta continues to make it possible for all persons who are interested in improving their capabilities as a public servant by becoming a CPM®, or continuing their Professional Education after graduation, regardless of financial need. Loretta has a heart for ensuring that government services are available to all, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society. She is an outstanding member of the GW CEPL family--we are proud to call her one of our own!"
Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon
GW CEPL Associate Director