Kim Harmon, a long-time State of Tennessee employee, will serve as the next executive director of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, an agency of The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service (IPS). Harmon succeeds the previous director Dr. Macel Ely who is now in the role of director of organizational improvement for IPS. Her Naifeh Center tenure begins Feb. 1.

“We are excited to have an executive leader of Kim’s caliber joining our institute,” said Dr. Herb Byrd III, vice president of IPS. “Her tremendous knowledge of leadership principles and her experience in Tennessee state government will be a great addition. I have full confidence that she will continue to build on the success of the Naifeh Center.”

 Since 2018, Harmon served as inspector general for the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Inspector General Division. From 2001 to 2010 she served as a special agent in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and from 2011 to 2018, she was a special agent in charge for TBI’s training division. Harmon received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Carson-Newman College and a master’s in professional studies from Tennessee State University.

The Naifeh Center provides training and professional development for leaders at all levels, from the emerging supervisor to the experienced executive.