Skip to content

Manistee Area Leadership Program

Develop as a leader. Connect with your community. Make an impact.

The Manistee Area Leadership Program is a nine-month experience designed for emerging and established leaders who want to better understand Manistee County, strengthen their leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships across the community. Through immersive community days, leadership development, conversations with local decision-makers, and a hands-on class project, participants gain a deeper understanding of the people, organizations, opportunities, and challenges shaping Manistee County.

Why Leadership?

Why Leadership?

The Manistee Area Leadership Program is a nine-month program where participants gain an inside look at the people, organizations, and industries that shape Manistee County while building skills and connections that last beyond the program.

Build Your Network

Connect with professionals, community leaders, and organizations from across Manistee County.

Discover Your Community

Go behind the scenes of local government, education, healthcare, industry, natural resources, tribal government, and more.

Strengthen Your Leadership Skills

Develop practical skills and gain new perspectives that support your personal and professional growth.

Learn from Local Leaders

Hear directly from the people and organizations working to move Manistee County forward.

Make an Impact

Work alongside your cohort to create and complete a community service project that makes a lasting impact.

Build Lasting Relationships

Spend nine months learning, collaborating, and forming meaningful connections with people from different industries and backgrounds.

2026/2027 Application - Closed
2026 Leadership Cohort

2025/2026 Leadership Cohort

Rec Center Improvements – Leadership Cohort Project
The 2025/2026 Leadership Cohort is excited to support improvements at the local Rec Center by helping revamp the space and update items throughout the facility. This project focuses on creating a refreshed, welcoming environment that better serves residents of all ages. Through updates to the space and enhancements to the facility, the team hopes to create a more enjoyable and functional area where community members can gather, participate, and build lasting connections.

Participants:

Alicia Harmon - Northwest Michigan Health Services
Anna Hansen - Manistee County Tourism Authority
Blake Bailey - Filer Credit Union
Cheyanne Krasinski  - West Shore Community College
Dawn Kenney - Filer Credit Union
Jennifer Kirchinger - Northwest Michigan Works!
Justin Pelletier - Packaging Corporation of America
Meghan Mauntler - Manistee Intermediate School District
Ron Villamaria - Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Sara Schultz - House of Flavors Mfg

2025 Leadership Cohort

2024/2025 Leadership Cohort

Art for All Initiative – Leadership Cohort Project
The 2024/2025 Leadership Cohort is excited to bring creativity and community connection to Manistee through the Art for All Initiative! This project focuses on enhancing public spaces by incorporating accessible, engaging artwork that reflects the community’s unique character and spirit. Through collaboration with local artists and community partners, the team is helping create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience art in new and meaningful ways. The initiative aims to inspire connection, encourage creativity, and add vibrancy to the places we gather and enjoy.

Participants:

Adam Freigang - Martin Marietta Magnesium Specialties
Amy McKinley - Crystal Mountain
David Jarvi - Manistee County Planning Department
Denver Leigh Phillips - Manistee Intermediate School District
Jeremy Swartz - Shelby State Bank
Kathleen Raspotnik - 4Front Credit Union
Katie Biehl - West Shore Community College
Kristi Adamczak - Filer Credit Union
Logan Tomaszewski - Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts
Mackenzie Leedham - Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
McKenzie Bradford - Manistee County Courthouse
Michael Keiser - Red Pine Building and Design LLC
Raven Winter - Watson's Manistee Chrysler
Sarah Hornkohl - Coastal Woods Vision
Theresa Waldo - City of Manistee
Trinity Herbert - West shore Bank
Zoe Braun - Packaging Corporation of America

 

2024 Leadership Cohort

2023/2024 Leadership Cohort

The 2023/2024 Leadership Cohort is excited to lead a complete revamp of the First Street Beach Dog Park! In addition to installing new fencing for safety, they're introducing benches for comfort, agility obstacles for fun, and a running water source to keep dogs hydrated. The team is also enhancing the area with much-needed landscaping, making the park more attractive and enjoyable for both pets and their owners. These upgrades aim to create a vibrant, welcoming space where the community can come together and enjoy our beautiful beachside setting with their furry friends.
 

Participants:

Rebecca Danison - Central Wellness
Zach Reau - Edward Jones
Abbie Hubbard - Filer Credit Union
Katie Mehl - Manistee County Planning Department
Jeffrey Kamaloski - Manistee Intermediate School District
Holly Eckard - Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties, LLC
Alexander Nurmiko - Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties, LLC
Arnold Malstrom - Myotek
James Wygmans - Myotek
Tina Holden - Networks Northwest/Michigan Works! Manistee
Heather Luttrell - Networks Northwest/Michigan Works! Manistee
Zebadiah Jones - Packaging Corporation of America
Lacy Crummy - Wexford-Missaukee-Manistee Great Start Collaborative

2023 Leadership Cohort

2022/2023 Leadership Cohort

The 2022/2023 Leadership Cohort has selected water safety as its theme for this year's community project. For the 2023 Big Day of Serving, the leadership group will be building and installing Life Vest Loaner Stations at various waterfront locations around Manistee County. These life vest loaner stations will be permanent structures containing varying sizes of life vests from infant to adult. The stations will work based on the honor system - borrow a life vest and return it when done. The goal of the project is to help educate the community on water safety while helping to make water recreation safe and accessible for all.

Participants:
Kyle Gurzynski - Filer Credit Union
Debra Bowman - Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Rachel Henderson - West Shore Community College
Mike Szokola - Manistee County Planning Department
Jill Witkowski - Manistee Intermediate School District
Heather Taylor - Manistee Township
Payton Tyndall - Ludington Beverage
Kendra Dula - Manistee Conservation District

2022 Leadership Cohort

2021/2022 Leadership Cohort

This year's class chose to give back to the community through minor construction, clean-up, and outdoor building maintenance as their community service project or "Big Day of Serving."

Participants:
Cindy Vasquez - Peterson McGregor Insurance
Kyle Ray - Networks Northwest
Alex Henderson - Mika Meyers
Lucas Richardson - Spicer Group
Rebecca Amidon - Manistee Democratic Party
Daniel Groess - Packaging Corporation of America
Devin Wegner - Manistee Intermediate School District
Michael Carroll - Packaging Corporation of America
Amber Cooper - West Shore Community College
Eva DeLaGarza - Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Kari Koscinski - Filer Credit Union
Sara Herberger - Historic Vogue Theater

Thank you to everyone involved in the 2022 Big Day of Serving - it wouldn't be possible without you! Special thanks to the 2022 Big Day of Serving sponsors!

2021 Leadership Cohort

 

2020/2021 Leadership Cohort

This year's class chose to focus on "Recycle Right" as their community service project or "Big Day of Serving." 

Participants: Brian Mckie, Josh Arnett, Heather Hansen-Foggo, Kali Owens, Kristina Bajtka, and Courtney Gorch worked together to bring awareness of the recycling practices and options within Manistee County. 

Thank you to everyone involved in the 2021 Big Day of Serving - it wouldn't be possible without you! Special thanks to the 2021 Big Day of Serving sponsors, supporters, and congratulations

Leadership Program Presenting Sponsors

Leadership Program Sponsor Recognition

"Joining this past year's Leadership Program has helped me form additional professional and personal contacts. We had a quaint group, 6 in total which helped us all get to know each other on a more intimate level that will carry on for years to come. Get out there and experience what our county has to offer and find out what wonderful opportunities await you. Step outside of your comfort zone and discover what this program can do for you!" 

~Kali Owens, City of Manistee

"The Leadership Program has allowed me to grow professionally while learning about and exploring the community that I live in. It is an eye-opening experience that has made me more aware of the challenges that our community faces and the fact that there is plenty of opportunity to impact the community in a meaningful way. This program has opened the door for the possibility of opportunities that I had never known about before."

~Heather Hansen-Foggo, West Shore Community College

"The Manistee Chamber Leadership program was an amazing opportunity to meet and connect with numerous people in the community, as well as get to know eleven awesome people throughout the experience."

- Kyle Ray, Networks Northwest/Michigan Works! Manistee

"It has been a great experience being part of the 2022 Leadership Program. I have learned so much about Manistee and the people that make Manistee the way it is today. I recommend the Leadership Program to anyone living in Manistee whether you've lived here your whole life or just moved here, there is truly so much to learn about this great place! I have also enjoyed working as a team to make the Big Day of Serving a reality!"

- Kari Koscinski, Filer Credit Union

"The Leadership Program has helped me to grow professionally while networking with professionals around Manistee County. It allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and explore and learn about the community I live in. It was a very eye-opening experience that made me aware of the challenges our community faces. This program helps to make Manistee County a better place for all by teaching people how to give back to the community in a meaningful way."

- Amber Cooper, West Shore Community College

"To anyone who has the initiative and desire to become a leader in our community; The program is a great opportunity to work with other leaders whom you may have never met, to see what good things you can do for the area and what good things are already happening." 

- Lucas Richardson, Spicer Group, Inc.

"I have really enjoyed my time as part of the Leadership Group. I was able to visit local locations that I had never been to. Specifically the Arcadia Marsh and Tippy Dam."

- Cindy Vasquez, Peterson McGregor Insurance

Not only did I learn so much about Manistee County through the leadership program, but I also got to be a part of an impactful project that will positively benefit the lives and safety of the residents and visitors of Manistee County for a long time with the installation of seven life jacket loaner stations through our class's big day of serving project.  It's powerful when people from all walks of life and all areas of commerce come together with a common goal.  I never would have been able to make such a huge and lasting difference in my community by myself, it took all of us together to make a difference.

-Rachel Henderson, West Shore Community College

My time spent with the Manistee Area Leadership Program Cohort brought me a plethora of education.  I was able to learn more about my community that I already love, seeing different loval resources and having a better view and understanding of how different areas of the community work, such as education, healthcare and law enforcement.  Highly recommend for anyone that has thought about applying!

-Sarah Hornkohl,  Coastal Woods Vision

The cohort model of the Manistee Chamber area leadership program brought everyone together, making it easy to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other. People didn't just grow as leaders-they had fun doing it, and the whole group got stronger in the process.
 
-Theresa Waldo, City of Manistee

If you or your company has an interest in being a part of the next class and you have additional questions please contact Nicole Kaminski via email at operations@ManisteeChamber.com or by phone at 231-723-2575. 

Scroll To Top