Strong communities depend on more than programs and resources. They depend on people who know how to work together.
That's why the Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) is investing in the people behind the organizations and institutions serving Oceana County. Five local leaders have been selected to participate in the 2026-27 Leadership Learning Lab, a year-long regional leadership development program focused on strengthening leadership skills, building relationships across sectors and increasing community impact.
The investment comes at a time when rural communities are navigating increasingly complex economic and social challenges, often with limited staff and resources. Across Michigan, rural-development efforts increasingly emphasize that strong leadership, community engagement, planning and partnerships are essential to a community's ability to respond to change and pursue new opportunities.
For OCF, that makes investing in people and relationships an important part of investing in Oceana County's future.
"The challenges and opportunities facing our community rarely belong to just one organization," OCF CEO Tammy Carey said. "They require people who are willing to listen, learn from one another and work across organizations and sectors. When we invest in those leaders and give them opportunities to build relationships with one another, we're investing in the capacity of our entire community."
Selected to represent Oceana County in the 2026-27 Leadership Learning Lab are:
• Lindsay Brown, Economic & Community Development Coordinator, City of Hart
• Heather Stephenson, Outreach Regional Coordinator, Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency
• Qur'an Griffin, Community Health Coordinator, District Health Dept. #10
• Jack Boitel, Academic Advisor, West Shore Community College
• Jo Estrada-Guerra, Departmental Analyst, MDHHS, Farmworker Outreach Services
Together, the five participants bring perspectives from local government, human services, public health, higher education and community outreach, creating opportunities for learning and collaboration that extend beyond any one organization.
The Leadership Learning Lab provides participants with dedicated time and space to develop as adaptive leaders while learning alongside peers facing similar opportunities and challenges in their own communities. Through monthly workshops, peer learning groups, online engagement and cohort support, participants practice new leadership approaches and build meaningful relationships with leaders from nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies and Tribal Nations throughout northern Michigan.
"One of the most valuable things we can help create is connection," Carey said. "This program isn't simply about sending someone to leadership training. It's about creating a network of people who know one another, trust one another and can draw on those relationships when opportunities or challenges arise in the future."
The Leadership Learning Lab grew from a collaboration among 10 northern Michigan community foundations that recognized they could achieve greater impact by working together. The program is facilitated by Rotary Charities of Traverse City and is funded by participating local community foundations. It supports nonprofit executive directors and emerging community and nonprofit leaders as they develop the skills and confidence to strengthen the organizations and communities they serve.
For participants from Oceana, Mason and Manistee counties, monthly workshops are hosted at the Lakeshore Resource Network in Ludington. This year's three-county cohort includes 16 nonprofit and community leaders and held its first in-person gathering on Sept. 15.
The Leadership Learning Lab is part of OCF's broader commitment to building community capacity, recognizing that thriving communities require strong organizations, strong leaders and strong relationships between them.
Since the program began, 26 leaders from Oceana County have participated in the Leadership Learning Lab, representing a wide range of professional and community roles.
"The impact doesn't end when the program ends," Carey said. "Participants bring what they've learned back to their organizations, but they also bring back relationships with other leaders. Those connections can open the door to new ideas, partnerships and ways of working together that ultimately benefit the entire community and their respective organizations."
OCF supports the Leadership Learning Lab through its Administrative Fund as part of its commitment to nonprofit capacity building and community leadership development.
By investing in the people doing the work today, the Oceana Community Foundation hopes to strengthen the network of leaders who will help shape what's possible for Oceana County tomorrow.
