Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

Hey JDE Connection listeners! We’re back with an inspiring episode featuring some of the most engaged and inspiring members of our community. This week, we shine the spotlight on the Quest Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)—and we brought the “Quest for the Best” capstone team with us to tell you all about it.

Meet Your Hosts and Guests

Joining us this episode are Chandra’s Emerging Leaders teammates and fellow change-makers:

• Karla Pappas – Business Analyst at MasTech and cake-decorating hobbyist
• Eric Maxon – New dad and Development Analyst at Carolina Biological Supply
• Arul TT – PeopleSoft HCM Lead for North Dakota University System

What Is the Emerging Leaders Program?

The ELP is a nine-month leadership development journey for Oracle users across the JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Cloud communities. It’s designed for mid-career professionals who want to level up their leadership skills, connect with peers across the ecosystem, and grow through hands-on experience. Think:

• In-person kickoff retreat
• Virtual learning sessions
• 1:1 mentoring
• Capstone team projects
• Skills assessments and personal reflection

Highlights from Our Conversation

• Growth Through Discomfort: Many of us signed up for the program without knowing exactly what to expect. And that’s where the magic happened. We tackled topics outside our comfort zones (AI, anyone?), trusted our teammates, and showed up for one another.
• The Capstone Experience: Our project focused on helping Quest explore AI adoption—something some of us knew nothing about going in. But that’s what made it so powerful. We each brought unique strengths, from organization to technical depth to creative vision. The result? A well-rounded, collaborative project that taught us as much about ourselves as it did about technology.
• Mentorship and Community: Every participant is paired with a mentor, participates in industry connection events, and has access to a vibrant peer network. We grew as leaders by learning from each other, exchanging stories, and supporting each other through challenges.
• Different Styles, Same Growth: We talked a lot about how leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you lean introvert, extrovert, or omnivert, there’s a place for you in this program. You don’t have to know it all. You just have to show up, stay curious, and be open to growth.
• The Power of Perspective: One of the biggest takeaways was learning to value different leadership styles, understand when to apply them, and how to approach others based on their strengths. Leadership is a skill—and this program gave us tools, frameworks, and confidence to lead with intention.

Would We Recommend It?

Absolutely. We all said yes—and here’s why:

• You’ll gain new leadership tools and confidence.
• You’ll learn from people across Oracle communities.
• You’ll get structured, supported time for personal development.
• You’ll walk away with real friendships and a renewed sense of purpose.

Whether you’re a technical expert stepping into people leadership, or a seasoned manager wanting to sharpen your edge, the ELP can help you grow in ways you didn’t expect.

What’s Next?

We’re wrapping our cohort’s journey, but the relationships and lessons continue. Quest is already working on building out an Alumni program to keep the momentum going.

Interested?

If you’re even slightly considering the Quest Emerging Leaders Program, do it. Don’t hesitate. It’s an investment in yourself, your growth, and your impact on your organization and community.

Until next time, let’s keep learning, sharing, and—most importantly—laughing together.

Toodles!

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Learn More

Quest Oracle Community is where you learn. Ask questions, find answers, swap stories and connect to other JD Edwards customers and product experts in the JD Edwards Community, where you can also check out what’s happening in the Business Analyst SIG.