Leading Rural Michigan: Building Strong Rural Leaders to Strengthen Michigan's Future

The Leading Rural Michigan program, offered in partnership with Michigan State University Extension, brings together emerging rural leaders for a 12-month development experience. The program’s goal is to boost engagement, collaboration and the recruitment and retention of strong leaders in rural communities. What sets it apart is its unique curriculum — blending leadership training with civic education — and its focus on building a statewide network of rural leaders.

Strengthening Michigan’s Next Rural Leaders

There are many ways to lead in rural Michigan – whether it’s through elected, appointed, professional or volunteer positions, every rural community has a need for civic service. We’re here to support emerging leaders as they cultivate skills and relationships to confidently grow in local, regional and state leadership positions.

“If you want to make a difference in the world, start in a small town.”
Office of Rural Prosperity Director Sarah Lucas

Leading Rural Michigan advances our work on the four pillars of ‘readiness’ that increase capacity and build resilient rural communities:

Assessments, visioning and plans
Staff, leadership and expertise
Community engagement and collaboration
Grant applications and project implementation and management

The Future of Rural Leadership Starts Here

The inaugural cohort includes 31 individuals identified as emerging leaders by established leaders in their respective communities. Leading Rural Michigan participants will meet monthly in an online format and will join together for several in-person events over the course of the 12-month cohort.

Leading Rural Michigan program content focuses on the development of skills necessary to be engaged local leaders:

Individual Leadership

Personality and strengths inventories, time management and effective communication.

Partnership and Collaboration

Conflict management, civility in discourse, facilitation, change management, team building and change management.

Rural Leadership/Civic Education

Working with elected officials and tribal leaders, community and economic development; visioning and planning; municipal funding structures; etc.

2025-2026 Cohort and their Represented Communities

Sam Bailey, Harbor Springs
Nia Becker, Traverse City
Kathleen Blust, Indian River
Virginia Bolshakova, Delton
Jacqueline Borozan, Frankfort
Duska Brumm, Nashville
Laken Chapin, Owendale
Dave Faber, Sandusky
Travis Garvey, Hesperia
Megan Haselden, Calumet
Zach Hautala, Crystal Falls

Billi Jo Head, Harbor Springs
Lauren Hunt-VanderPloeg, Martin
Kassi Huotari, Ironwood
Braedan Johnigan, Cadillac
Kristi Lucas-Zimmerman, Ludington
Brian Meissen, New Haven
Mallory Meston, Norton Shores
Penny Payea, West Branch
Anson Pavlov, St. Clair
Alisha Proctor, Deford

Nikki Radke, Sault Ste. Marie
Kathy Thomas, Cedarville
Sean Tichenor, Suttons Bay
Danielle Timmer, McBain
Zachary Vega, Kalkaska
Allison Watkins, Newberry
Erine Wescoat, Manton
Patricia West, Gladstone
Amanda Wichinski, Roscommon
Leandra Wolschleger, Harbor Beach

Making This Program Possible

Curriculum development and delivery for Leading Rural Michigan are made possible by a $154,000 ORP prosperity grant to Michigan State Extension, and by a $250 participant fee. This program is informed by the Office of Rural Prosperity’s engagement with rural communities, and draws on the expertise of units across Michigan State University Extension including

The MSUE Center for Local Government Finance and Policy which supports communities in their efforts to efficiently deliver critical public services that promote health, safety and well-being. The Center works to enhance decision-making for public officials in communities of all sizes through a diverse offering of training, engagement, and applied research opportunities.
The MSU Extension Government and Community Vitality Team, which helps ground Michigan’s 1,858 municipalities and 12 federally recognized tribal nations with trusted information that helps in sound governance through the education of newly elected and incumbent officials.
The Great Lakes Leadership Academy, which develops leaders through intentional personal introspection and growth, working across differences to create constructive and inclusive solutions for today’s complex problems.

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