ATLANTA – State Representative Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville) was recently selected by the Council of State Governments (CSG) to participate in the 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship, which is recognized as the nation’s premier leadership development program for state government officials.
“I am honored to have been chosen as a participant in this prestigious, intensive leadership boot camp as a CSG Toll Fellow,” said Rep. Hutchinson. “This incredible opportunity has truly humbled me, as it reflects the recognition of my potential and a belief in my ability to make a significant impact in leadership and governance.”
Since 1986, CSG has annually convened a new class of Henry Toll Fellows at its national headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Designed as an intensive leadership boot camp, the program’s sessions aim to stimulate personal assessment and growth, empower leaders to collaborate and communicate more effectively, as well as provide non-partisan networking and relationship-building opportunities. Toll Fellows are nominated by their peers and selected by alumni of the program. This year’s program will bring together 47 individuals who serve in various branches of government in 29 states and U.S. territories.
“While the CSG Henry Toll Fellows come from every region of our nation, from both political parties and all three branches of state government, they share one thing in common— they are all people of purpose with a passion for public service,” said CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins, a former Kansas state senator and 1993 CSG Henry Toll Fellow alumnus. “Toll Fellows are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to solve problems, to work collaboratively to get things done and their belief that state government can and must be a force for good. The selection committee looks for leaders who have already demonstrated excellence in public service but who also show promise for continuing to make a difference in the future.”
The fellowship honors the founder of CSG, Henry Toll, who was a former state senator from Colorado and driving force behind the creation of CSG in 1933. More than 1,350 government officials have graduated from the Toll Fellowship, including five state/territorial house speakers, three sitting state supreme court justices, 10 sitting members of U.S. Congress and five sitting governors. More than 200 Toll alumni currently serve as state/territorial legislators.
“Each class of Toll Fellows has a different energy, and we are excited to see this year’s dynamic,” said Lorna Patches, deputy director of membership and leadership development at CSG. “Everyone in this group is a leader in their home state, which provides a tremendous opportunity for attendees to learn and grow through interaction with each other. The CSG experience provides a framework for shared conversations, which begin with our time together and extend for lifetimes.”
The Council of State Governments is the only national organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is operates a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. The organization offers regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.
For more information about The Council of State Governments, visit https://www.csg.org/.
Representative Shelly Hutchinson represents the citizens of District 106 in Gwinnett County. She serves on the Public Health, Regulated Industries, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Juvenile Justice and Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications committees. Rep. Hutchinson is a career clinical social worker, serving in the profession for nearly 30 years. She remains steadfast in her support of reproductive justice in Georgia.
###