Contact:

Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
[email protected]
 734-669-6311

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2026

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Six current and former elected officials from Michigan cities were honored with awards on October 6 during the Michigan Municipal League's Board of Trustees Dinner, as part of the 2026 Convention in Traverse City. The recipients are as follows: 

• Brenda F. Moore — Honorary Life Member Award   

• George Bosanic — Community Builder Award  

• Valerie Kindle — Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award  

• Khalfani Stephens — Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award  

• Kathryn Beemer, Mariah Walton — Emerging Leader Award  

"I am overwhelmed, excited and humbled to receive the League's Honorary Life Membership Award," said Mayor Brenda F. Moore, City of Saginaw. "Thirteen years ago, I set a personal goal to learn everything that I could from the League to take back to my city to improve it—and I am grateful that I've met that goal."  

"I am humbled and honored to accept the Community Builder Award on behalf of my City Council, my team and the greater Greenville community," said City Manager George Bosanic, City of Greenville. "Ours is a story of perseverance, collaboration, vision, dedication and success in overcoming what seemed like insurmountable challenges. It is especially gratifying to receive this recognition from this amazing organization, whose support and dedication is an inspiration to all of us." 

"Receiving the Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award is incredibly meaningful to me because public service has always been about showing up, doing the work and making a difference in the lives of the people I serve," said Mayor Valerie Kindle, City of Harper Woods. "I see this honor not only as recognition of my leadership, but as a reflection of the residents of Harper Woods and everything we have been able to accomplish together. It inspires me to keep working hard, serving with purpose and moving our community forward." 

"Receiving the Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award is especially meaningful because the Michigan Municipal League has been an important part of my professional life—not only as a place where I have had the opportunity to serve, but as a community from which I have learned enormously," said Khalfani Stephens. "I have always believed that none of us accomplishes much alone; our greatest growth and impact come through the exchange of knowledge, experience and support with others. To be recognized by a community that has given so much to me makes this award particularly special."   

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Michigan Municipal League for the Emerging Leader Award, and an important reminder of the torch we all carry in local government," said City Administrator Kathryn Beemer, City of Fennville. "The knowledge I gained from mentors through the League is how a small community like Fennville has been able to do some big things. I look forward to continuing to learn from those who came before me, and to passing along the core values and lessons that help shape our communities to the next generation of local government leaders." 

"Receiving the MML Emerging Leader Award is an incredible honor and acknowledgement of my commitment to public service," said Deputy City Administrator Mariah Walton, City of Ann Arbor. "My career began in human services, supporting youth and families facing complex challenges, and that experience continues to shape how I understand the responsibility of local government. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this work and be recognized among Michigan's emerging leaders." 

"I'd like to congratulate each of this year's award recipients," said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the League. "Energetic, inspiring and committed to their communities, these six local leaders represent the best of what Michigan has to offer. We at the League are profoundly grateful for their service and proud to honor them." 

For more information on each of the awards, please visit the Awards page on the League's website here. 

Pictures of Convention 2026 award recipients will be available on the League's Flickr account here.  

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan's communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan's greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C. and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org. 

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