MPLP: Orange Vibes and Unexpected Lessons in Holland
I headed into Session II of the Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) with more confidence than the first time around—but still with that mix of anticipation and curiosity that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone. This time, our cohort met in beautiful Holland, Michigan, at the Haworth Hotel, and my roommate was Allyson Faulkner.
Rooming with Allyson turned out to be such a fun time. She’s really into health and wellness, especially the ingredients and chemicals in our food. Before I knew it, she was helping me decipher product labels and pointing out red flags I hadn’t even noticed before.
Our first evening included dinner and a compelling presentation on housing by Mary Balkema, Housing Director for the City of Kalamazoo. Her story was remarkable—her leadership style is grounded, resourceful, and deeply compassionate. She shared that when she did her last unhoused survey that 80% of the population was in the special education program when growing up. That really hurt to hear. I believe we need local control over it, but I believe we always need to take care of ones who can’t help themselves due to physical or mental limitations.
Here’s a funny photo of me and my new friend Kasi Meyers (also in the MPLP program) at New Holland. LOL
Later that night, we walked over to New Holland Brewing Company for a casual reception. I had a great conversation with Justin Onwenu, who works for Mayor Duggan and hopes to run for State Representative. Naturally, we ended up talking about printing—because if you know me, you know I’ll talk print with anyone, anytime. I left that conversation feeling inspired by his drive and optimism.
Saturday morning opened with a legislative panel featuring Representative Nancy DeBoer, Representative Bradley Slagh, and Senator Roger Victory. It was one of those sessions where you feel like the message was meant just for you. Rep. DeBoer talked about running hard for a final term as mayor—and losing—but how that loss opened up new doors, especially during the challenges of COVID. As a woman of faith, I resonated deeply with her reminder that God’s plan doesn’t always look like our own.
Senator Victory showed up in a Michigan State sweatshirt and spoke in a way that reminded me of Commissioner Steve Frisbie from Session I—approachable, sharp, and refreshingly unpolished. There’s something comforting about leaders who are just real. No fluff, no pretense. Just solid public service.
After breakfast and check-out, we visited the Tulip Time Festival offices to hear from Gwen Auwerda and Linda Hart. I’ve been going to Tulip Time for years, so it was fun to learn more about its history and impact. As someone who thrives on community events, it also got my wheels turning for Swift Printing and how we can continue supporting hyper-local celebrations in creative ways.
Then came one of my favorite sessions: the True Colors Workshop, led by Chad Williams from the Michigan Education Association. Unsurprisingly, I’m an orange—the energetic, spontaneous, "let’s go for it" personality type. Here’s a quick breakdown of the colors we explored:
Orange: Energetic, action-oriented, spontaneous, and creative problem-solvers.
Blue: Empathetic, caring, and relationship-driven. They bring the heart to the table.
Green: Logical, independent thinkers. These are your strategists and planners.
Gold: Organized, reliable, and structured. They’re the folks who make sure things get done on time.
It was fun to see how each color interacts—and how we all need each other to lead effectively.
We wrapped up the weekend with campaign development updates. It was encouraging to ask questions and receive supportive, thoughtful feedback. Being in a room full of future leaders—each with their own path and purpose—is both humbling and energizing. It reminded me that while we’re all here for different reasons, we’re united by a shared desire to serve.
At MPLP, every session reminds me that leadership is more than a title. It’s about learning, growing, and embracing people who think, act, and lead differently than you do. Holland offered a weekend of great conversations, meaningful reflection, and one more step in becoming the kind of leader I aspire to be—not just in Cannon Township, but wherever I’m called to serve.
