Dr. Mardy L. Leathers

Dr. Mardy L. Leathers has a diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles. In recent years, they have held executive positions at Adaptive Construction Solutions, serving as the Executive Vice President, overseeing strategic leadership and policy development in the global renewable energy market. They have also worked at PCI Government Services LLC, where they served as a contractor for the US Department of Commerce CHIPS Program Office, focusing on workforce development planning activities for semiconductor fabrication facility projects.

Prior to these roles, Dr. Leathers founded Hashtag Strategies, a firm that supports private and public sector partners in workforce, education, and economic development initiatives. They have also worked in academia as an Adjunct Professor at William Woods University, designing graduate programs in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership.

In the public sector, Dr. Leathers served as the State Director of Missouri's Office of Workforce Development, overseeing the state's public workforce system and serving as the Executive Director of the State Workforce Development Board. They were also the County Clerk for Crawford County, Missouri, and held various roles in the county government.

Throughout their career, Dr. Leathers has demonstrated expertise in workforce and economic development, program development, and strategic leadership.

Dr. Mardy L. Leathers completed a Doctor of Management degree at Webster University from 2015 to 2020. In 2022, they obtained a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). They also obtained a Certificate in Political Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2021. Prior to their doctoral degree, they earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management from William Woods University between 2012 and 2014. Their undergraduate education includes a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Political Science, Public Administration, and Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, which they completed from 2001 to 2005. They also obtained a Real Estate Certificate from the Missouri School of Real Estate Practitioners in 2003. Dr. Leathers holds additional certifications, including Leadership Missouri from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry (obtained in 2018), Novak Leadership Institute from the University of Missouri-Columbia (obtained in 2018), Six Sigma Green Belt from East Central College (obtained in 2017), LMI Analyst from C2ER: Council for Community and Economic Research (obtained in 2016), and a Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Licensee from the State of Missouri Real Estate Commission (obtained in 2003).