In Northfield committees that embrace diverse leadership
“This program provided me with a deeper understanding of myself, which has increased my confidence. I feel a deeper inspiration to step up and get more involved because I feel I can make a difference. And I have initiated steps in my community to get more involved already.” Participant, Northfield Emerging Leaders Program
Northfield, Minnesota’s 2018-20 strategic plan is all about becoming a welcoming community. “One way to help our diverse newcomers feel comfortable here is to have local leaders who look like them,” says Beth Kallestad, Northfield’s city coordinator. She notes their city boards and commissions are lacking in diversity. “So one of our strategic plan initiatives is to change that,” she says. In 2020, Kallestad collaborated with leadership and civic engagement educators Mary Ann Hennen and Jocelyn Hernandez-Swanson to launch Growing Local: 2020 Northfield Emerging Leaders Program.