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About Us:
Vision:
To inspire and enable the Coast Guard workforce to grow as leaders by delivering standardized, repeatable, and sustainable training programs to ensure individual, unit, and organizational success.
Mission
We enhance mission effectiveness and organizational climate through exceptional training and leader development.
Values
The Coast Guard clearly defines leadership as “you influencing or inspiring others towards a goal.” We do this through Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty while Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Performance and Change and Leading the Coast Guard.
Strategic Goals
- We will ALIGN the leadership development continua and provide leadership development progression opportunities for the workforce.
- We will BUILD innovative delivery methods and development resources through focused research.
- We will create an engaged leadership COMMUNITY by communicating through a strong presence.
- We will invest in DEVELOPMENT to broaden the Coast Guard's perspective on how leadership and professional development happen.
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Commanding Officer's Biography
Robert P. Hill
Captain, USCG
Commanding Officer, Leadership Development Center
A San Diego, California native, Captain Hill graduated from National University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He was commissioned in February 2002 after attending Officer Candidate School and served as a Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719) homeported in Alameda, California. During this tour, he deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His next tour was as Weapons Officer of USCGC HAMILTON (WHEC-715) homeported in San Diego, California. Following this assignment, Captain Hill served as Commanding Officer of USCGC ASSATEAGUE (WPB-1337) homeported in Apra Harbor, Guam. In 2009, he earned a Masters Degree in Performance Technology from San Diego State University, and upon graduation, served as Branch Chief for Operations Specialist, Yeoman, and Storekeeper “A” Schools at Training Center Petaluma. Captain Hill became the Executive Officer of USCGC CONFIDENCE (WMEC-619) homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida in June 2013. Following this tour, he served as Commanding Officer of the Training Quota Management Center, and the newly formed Education and Training Quota Management Command, where he oversaw all issuing of “C” School orders and Tuition Assistance for active duty, reserve, and civilian members of the Coast Guard. From there, Captain Hill reported to BERTHOLF (WMSL-750) in July 2018 as the Executive Officer, and straight back to sea as Commanding Officer of RELIANCE in June 2020. Following his tour on RELIANCE, he reported to JIATFS in June 2022, serving as the Deputy J3, where he oversaw the tactical deployment of all air and surface assets in the detection and monitoring counterdrug mission within SOUTHCOM’s AOR. He reported to the LDC in June of 2024.
Captain Hill’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Coast Guard Commendation Medals (w/”O” device), 2 Coast Guard Achievement Medals (w/”O” device), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and various other awards. He was awarded his permanent Cutterman Insignia in 2007
Executive Officer's Biography
Commander Megan L. Drewniak
Commander, USCG
Executive Officer, Leadership Development Center
CDR Drewniak assumed duties as Executive Officer of the Leadership Development Center in New London, Connecticut, in July 2025, where she oversees the execution and delivery of 21 accredited leadership, professional development, and military indoctrination courses to more than 8,000 students annually.
Previously, CDR Drewniak served as the Deputy Commander for Sector Northern New England in South Portland, Maine, from June 2022 to July 2025. In this capacity, she implemented the Sector Commander’s vision and strategies for all Coast Guard missions across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and portions of northeastern New York including activities for 200 waterways covering 5,600 square miles and an international border with Canada. In fulfilling these responsibilities, CDR Drewniak led more than 650 active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary personnel, and employs 20 boats assigned to eight multi-mission stations, three Aids to Navigations Teams, two Marine Safety Units, and a Sector Field Office.
CDR Drewniak served in multiple operational assignments including Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Toledo, Prevention Department Head at Sector Northern New England, Senior Investigating Officer at Sector Miami, Waterways Management Division Chief at Sector Northern New England, and in the Response and Prevention Departments at Sector San Francisco. Staff billets include a tour at the Leadership Development Center in New London, CT, as the Leadership and Management School Chief and assignment as the Coast Guard Liaison Officer/Lecturer to the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, where served as the Director of the Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration Specialization and led multiple European Union and Nordic funded research projects.
CDR Drewniak was selected as the recipient of the 2016 Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership award, 2016 Military Times Coast Guard Service Member of the Year, and 2020 Captain David H. Jarvis Inspirational Leadership Award. Her personal awards include three Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, six Coast Guard Commendation Medals, a Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the NOAA Special Achievement Medal, CG Volunteer Service Medal, three Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, and various other unit and team awards.
Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management with a Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification from the New England College of Business. She received her commission from Officer Candidate School in July 2004.
CDR Drewniak lives in Woolwich, Maine with her husband, Kyle, and their two children, Olivia and Liam.
Command Master Chief's Biography
Kelly J. Dunn
Master Chief, USCG
Command Master Chief, Leadership Development Center
Master Chief Kelly Dunn reported to the Leadership Development Center in June of 2025 as Command Senior Enlisted Leader. She serves as the unit’s Command Master Chief and as the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course’s School Chief. Her primary duty is to advise the LDC Commanding Officer on issues, policies, and initiatives pertaining to all unit members and their families; as well as oversee the Coast Guard’s pinnacle course in the enlisted leadership continuum.
Master Chief Dunn’s previous assignments include H-60 Assistant Leading Chief at Air Station Clearwater; Facilities Chief, Forward Operating Base Point Mugu, CA; Structures shop supervisor, Air Station Atlantic City, NJ; H-65 Mechanic at Aviation Technical Training Center, Mobile, AL; H-60 Mechanic and Flight Mechanic Instructor at Air Station Elizabeth City, NC; and Machinery Technician Third Class at Station Ponce De Leon Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Master Chief Dunn has a Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation from St. Louis University, Master of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology from Purdue University. She holds Federal Aeronautics Administration Certificates for Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and Private Pilot. Additionally, she is a graduate of the USCG Senior Enlisted Leadership Course and the Chief Petty Officer’s Academy.
Originally from House Springs, Missouri, Master Chief Dunn enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in September 2007. She has earned the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Arctic Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. She is also a recipient of the DHS Secretary’s Meritorious Silver Medal, the LT Robert A. Perchard Trophy, and the Spirit of the Chief Award. In addition to other various personal, team, and unit level awards, she proudly wears the Aircrew Insignia.
Master Chief Dunn is married to Steven Dunn who is a Chief Petty Officer in the Coast Guard. They have raised five children. Outside of work, she enjoys audio books, playing hockey, scuba diving, snowboarding, and traveling abroad.