What would you do if you were suddenly thrust into a critical leadership role tomorrow? In the dynamic world of local government, career trajectories can change in an instant—and your ability to adapt quickly can define your entire professional journey.

What We Will Cover

Whether you're a CAO, ACAO, department head, or front-line staff, this 90-minute webinar provides a roadmap for navigating unexpected leadership transitions with confidence, strategic insight, and professional grace.

You'll discover:

• Practical advice and strategies for managing the immediate demands of a new position while setting the stage for long-term success
• Confidence-building techniques for unplanned leadership roles
• How to maintain continuity
• Navigating organizational dynamics and politics
• Building trust with teams and stakeholders under pressure

Whether you're stepping up unexpectedly or preparing for future opportunities, this session offers tactical insights and tools to turn professional curveballs into powerful career advancement.

Don't just adapt to change—master it. Join us and learn to turn unexpected transitions into your greatest professional advantage.

ICMA-CM: Participation in free coaching webinars qualifies for ICMA-CM (voluntary Credentialling Program) credit.

Learning Objectives

Manage Immediate Responsibilities – Explore strategies for quickly assessing priorities, stabilizing operations, and establishing trust in a new role.

Develop Leadership Presence – Gain techniques to project confidence, build credibility, and inspire teams during challenging transitions.

Maintain Continuity and Vision – Understand how to uphold organizational goals and community trust while navigating change.

Can't attend? Register and watch on-demand.

Visit the ICMA Coaching Program for more coaching and mentoring resources.

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Meet the Speaker

Peggy Merriss Executive Director, Georgia City-County Management Association

Read Peggy's Bio

Peggy Merriss has a passion for furthering local government excellence and innovation through service, teaching, and being a mentor and advisor. For 35 years she served the City of Decatur, GA including over 25 years as the City Manager and since retiring she has served as the Interim City Manager for Sandy Springs, GA and the Acting City Administrator for Pine Lake GA. Currently she serves as the Executive Director for the Georgia City-County Management Association and on the faculty of the Athenian Program and the Women in the Civic Arena. 

Peggy completed a MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was recognized with the “Distinguished Service Award” in January 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, where she was recognized with the “Career Achievement Award” in April 2012. In 2022, Peggy was elected as a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow. She was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Association Hall of Fame in 2018. She has also completed the SEI program at the UVA and received her ICMA Credential Manager designation in 2003. She previously served as the President of ICMA, having completed a term as President in 2002-03, the first woman, and youngest person, to ever hold the office.

 At the end of 2020, she completed ten-years of service on the ICMA-RC Board of Directors (now MissionSquare), serving as the first woman chair. The Georgia City/County Management Association recognized her with the Pillar of Professional Excellence Award, and she was awarded the “Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award” for a city appointed official. An avid traveler, she recently visited her seventh continent with a trip to Antarctica. She looks forward to completing her goal of visiting all 50 US states and all 10 Canadian provinces.