In today’s complex world, especially with the service pivots necessitated by the pandemic, the conditions to be successful are constantly shifting, requiring people from all sectors to lead with a new kind of courage and skill. The Leadership Learning Lab helps leaders to become a more adaptive leader and to take the time to learn, practice, and experiment with new skills acquired in the Lab. The Lab hosts monthly workshops at five regional sites, with Oceana, Mason and Manistee leaders together at the Lakeshore Resource Center in Ludington. The Lab aligns with the Oceana Foundations’ strategic efforts to support capacity building among local nonprofits.
The Lab was born out of the collaboration of 10 northern Michigan community foundations that recognized they could do more together than separately, and funders that wanted to invest in a new way of empowering communities. Facilitated by Rotary Charities, and funded by the Frey Foundation and the local community foundations, the Lab seeks to connect and empower nonprofit executive directors and emerging leaders and give them the skills to strengthen the organizations and communities they serve. The Lab is supported by the Foundation’s Administrative Fund as a leadership initiative.
This program has supported 26 leaders in a wide range of positions across Oceana County. Providing a trusted space for rising nonprofit leaders to develop their talents and a plan for the impact they wish to make within their local communities is invaluable. The Lab is an investment into planting the seeds of open communication and support between different organizations, not only between the nonprofit leaders but also amongst the participating foundations.
The application to join the 2023-24 cohort is now closed. However, we invite you to consider a future cohort and we will announce when the application opens again. Leadership Learning Lab combines monthly sessions, small groups, social media, and cohort support as a year-long program. While learning more about leadership, participants will also network and develop connections with other community leaders. We welcome leaders at all levels from nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and Tribal Nations. To learn more, visit LLL Program’s website.
To read more about the 2023 cohort, please click here.
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Scott Beal, Director of the Hart-Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau
Tracey Blamer, Director of Procurement at Peterson Farms
Steve Bruch, Economic and Community Projects Coordinator for Oceana County
Terri Demeter, Advancement Coordinator and Finance Manager at the Fountain Hill Center
Irma Hinojosa, Chairperson of Oceana Hispanic Center and West Michigan Migrant Resource Council Boards
Mark Kraus, Community Liaison Development Director at TrueNorth Services
Sarah Oleniczak, Deputy Health Director at the District Health Department #10
Kathleen Rash, Library Diector at the Hart Area Public Library
Elizabeth Russell, Board Secretary and Grant Writer at the Pentwater Historical Society
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Paul Erickson, President of Oceana County Fair & Oceana County Historical Society
Kortni Garcia, Public Health Educator, DHD #10
Jodi Nichols, Business Development Coordinator, Oceana County Economic Alliance
Sarah Schaner, 4-H Program Coordinator, MSU Extension
Danielle Siegel, Program Assistant, CFOC
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Tiffany Collins-Haight, Director, Shelby Area District Library
Emma Kirwin, VP Walkerville Thrives, Leavitt Township Supervisor
Rob Widigan, Administrator, Village of Shelby Village
Julie Kreilick, Director, Hart Main Street
Maggie Bowman, Clearinghouse Coordinator, Love INC Oceana County
Catalina Burillo, Community Health Improvement Coordinator, Health Project
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Kittie Tuinstra, Executive Director, Oceana’s Home Partnership
Suzie Geerlings Knoll, Executive Director, Oceana Conservation District
Alyssa Merten, Program Director, Oceana College Access Network
Eva Berumen Reyna, Executive Director, Oceana Hispanic Center
Stephanie Moore, Associate Director, Oceana County Council on Aging
Brian Beckman, Director, The Ladder Community Center