DRA invests in regional leadership through its annual Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. Fellows representing each of the eight DRA states are selected by the eight governors and the federal co-chairman from a competitive pool of applicants that represent both public and private sectors. During the nine-month executive leadership development program, six sessions are held in different cities throughout the eight-state region, which focus on areas such as transportation infrastructure, government relations, and regional collaboration.
Alumni of the DLI Executive Academy may continue their engagement with one another and support of the region through the Delta Leadership Network (DLN). DLN is more than 700 members strong.
2026 DLI Sessions
The Delta Leadership Institute will host six sessions in the following Delta communities:
Session I: Orientation
February 2-5, 2026 | Demopolis, Al
Session II:
March 23-26, 2026 | Poplar Bluff, MO
Session III:
April 27-30, 2026 | Monroe and West Monroe, LA
Session IV:
June 8-11, 2026 | Washington D.C.
Session V:
July 27-30, 2026 | Marion, IL
Session VI: Graduation
September 14-17, 2026 | Memphis, TN