Contact:
Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
[email protected], 734-669-6311
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2024
Ann Arbor, Mich. – The inaugural graduates of the Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive were honored at the 2024 Convention this morning. The class of 30 was recognized on the main stage at the event on Mackinac Island.
The Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive is a groundbreaking program borne from the success of the Women’s Municipal Leadership Program (WMLP) presented by the 16/50 Project. The WMLP is a training program for appointed officials, and many elected women wanted a similar option. The intensive is a transformative five-week program dedicated to equipping elected women with the essential resources, tools and skills needed for impactful leadership.
“Our Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive empowers elected women officials to reach new heights in their service,” said Emily Kieliszewski, Assistant Director, Member Experience & Learning, at the League. “These graduates are returning to their communities with renewed passion and enhanced capabilities, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and lead with even greater effectiveness. Michigan’s communities are in good hands.”
The intensive supports the League’s commitment to fostering well-informed and effective leaders. It also seamlessly integrates with the Elected Officials Academy (EOA). Participants of the intensive earn 10 elective EOA credits.
The League received many applicants from women around the state, including former League Board of Trustees President and Sterling Heights Councilmember Barbara Ziarko.
“As a believer in lifelong learning, I immediately wanted to be a part of the inaugural Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive,” said Ziarko. “Women in government need to be prepared to be problem solvers and able to provide our perspective on local government issues. This program provided education in a sharing atmosphere with other women who wanted to learn how to lead effectively. It was evident that we wanted to grow personally, and this program helped us to evolve in our positions and learn more about ourselves so that we could better serve the residents we represent.”
The class of 2024 attended weekly virtual sessions April 4–May 2, covering topics that included parliamentary procedures, finance, community engagement, communications and economic development. The program culminated with an in-person summit on May 4 at the League’s Capital Office in Lansing, which featured a full-day executive coaching session and insights on well-being as an elected official.
2024 Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive Graduates:
Anita Ashford, Councilmember, Port Huron
Annie Boensch, Mayor Pro Tem, Saginaw
Jackie Boleware, Councilmember, Farmington Hills
Laura Marie Cadey, Mayor Pro Tem, Novi
Rebecca Cheezum, City Commissioner, Royal Oak
Pamela Kaye Colestock, Mayor, Eaton Rapids
Christina DeMoore, Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem, Petoskey
Janet Dillon, Mayor Pro Tem, Saline
Andrea Grupido, City Clerk, Evart
Susan N. Halloran, Village Trustee, Onekama
Sharon Henderson, First Ward Commissioner, Benton Harbor
Amanda Herzog, City Commissioner, Royal Oak
Emily Hornbeck, Councilmember, Trenton
Pamela Joann Howd, Councilmember/Mayo Pro Tem, Linden
Andi Knapp, Clerk, Maple Valley Township
Michelle LaVoy, Clerk/Treasurer, Monroe
Raylon Leaks-May, Mayor, Ferndale
Melyssa Lindenthal, Commissioner, East Jordan
Theresa Mungioli, Councilmember, Rochester Hills
Amy Pershbacher, Commissioner/Mayor, Mount Pleasant
Meagan Poznanski, President, Romeo
Patricia Robinson, Councilmember/President Pro Tem, Brooklyn
Melanie Rutherford, Councilmember, Pontiac
Felicia Rutledge, Councilmember, Inkster
Maria Sandow, Supervisor, Larkin Charter Township
Rebecca St. Clair, Commissioner/Vice Mayor, Muskegon
Shella Tomkowiak, Mayor, Grosse Pointe
Kimberly R. Whitsett, Clerk, Ecorse
Regina L. Williams, Councilmember, Harper Woods
Barbara Ziarko, Councilmember, Sterling Heights
For questions about the Women’s Elected Leadership Intensive, contact the League’s Emily Kieliszewski, Assistant Director, Member Experience and Learning, at 517-908-0302 or [email protected].
For additional information, contact the League’s Jessica Weirauch, Director, Marketing and Communications, at 734-669-6311 or [email protected].
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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