Michael Finley

About Michael Finley

I design leadership systems that actually change how people lead — not just how they attend training.As Director of Training & Development for the Mississippi State Personnel Board, I lead the strategy, design, and delivery of statewide leadership and workforce development programs serving supervisors, managers, directors, and senior executives across Mississippi state government.My work goes beyond courses and certifications. I build long-term leadership pipelines, continuous improvement programs, and practical learning experiences that help leaders- Think strategically- Lead through change- Improve processes and outcomes- Develop people, not just policiesKey initiatives include- Mississippi LEAD – a two-year executive leadership development program for senior state leaders- MS-CIP (Mississippi Continuous Improvement Practitioner Program) – a hands-on, project-based program focused on improving existing processes and delivering measurable resultsI bring over 20 years of experience in training, leadership development, and organizational performance across both public and private sectors. I’m known for blending structure with realism — and for keeping leadership development practical, honest, and human.My leadership philosophy is simple: Build capability. Reduce complexity. Respect the work.If you’re interested in leadership development that produces better decisions, stronger teams, and measurable improvement, we’re probably aligned. I enjoy connecting with organizations and leaders who are working to strengthen leadership capability or apply continuous improvement in meaningful ways. Specialties: Project Management Professional (PMP)MBTI Certified PractitionerSix Sigma Yellow BeltHSEEP Certified TrainerCreator of \"Leadership Roll Call\" YouTube Channel

Experience

1. Director of Training and Development

   Mississippi State Personnel Board

   Jul 2022 — Present · Jackson, MS, US

   The Situation:State agencies were operating with inconsistent leadership development, limited alignment across agencies, and training that often lacked real-world application.What I Did:Designed and launched MS LEAD, a two-year leadership development program for senior state leaders, focused on strategic thinking, decision-making, and real-world applicationBuilt the Mississippi Continuous Improvement Program (MS-CIP), integrating project management, Lean/process improvement, and change management into a hands-on team-based modelShifted training from event-based delivery to application-driven learning, requiring participants to apply concepts to actual agency challengesPartnered with agency leadership to align training with workforce and operational prioritiesOversaw development of courses supporting supervisors through executive-level leaders across state governmentThe Impact:Established a statewide leadership pipeline, strengthening leadership capability across multiple agenciesCreated a repeatable model for continuous improvement, equipping teams to solve real operational problemsIncreased engagement and accountability by tying training directly to on-the-job performancePositioned training as a strategic function, not just a compliance requirement

Education

• The University of Southern Mississippi

  Master of Science (M.S.), Human Capital Development

• The University of Southern Mississippi

  Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

Skills

• Training Course Development
• Swat
• Physical Security
• Security
• Leadership Development
• Tactics
• Leadership
• Crisis Management
• Management
• Team Building
• Program Management
• Training
• Corporate Security
• Training Delivery