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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2026

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Municipal League honored the graduates of the 2026 Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive (WELI) on March 10 at the League’s CapCon 2026 in Lansing.

A transformative new program, WELI is dedicated to equipping elected women with the crucial skills necessary for strong leadership, ensuring they excel in their positions. Over the course of five weeks, the cohort participated in sessions to in budgeting, governance, and community leadership, capped off in Lansing with a daylong Women’s Leadership & Well-Being Summit.

“On behalf of the League, I’d like to congratulate this year’s Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive graduates,” said Emily Kieliszewski, Assistant Director of Member Experience and Learning at the League. “These talented women are dedicated to leading Michigan communities forward. We are excited to continue developing this powerful network of local leaders from across the state.”

The 2026 graduates are:

• Jennifer Antel, Mayor, City of Wayland
• Emily Bauman, Councilmember, City of Westland
• Tracy Bottecelli, Councilmember, City of Fenton
• Erin Britten, Councilmember, City of Howell
• Christy May Davis, Councilmember, City of Jackson
• Michelle Germani, Councilmember, City of Monroe
• Yolanda C. Haynes, Councilwoman, City of Southfield
• Lisa Hicks-Clayton, Treasurer, City of Dearborn Heights
• Amanda Johnson, Commissioner, City of Big Rapids
• Me’Chelle King, Councilmember, City of Ypsilanti
• Jessica LaCosse, City Commissioner, City of Battle Creek
• Candice Mushatt, Council Member, City of Flint
• Judy Priestley, Councilmember, City of Flint
• Jessica Steinhart, Commissioner, City of Huntington Woods

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.