Thanks to our generous donors, the Women’s Municipal Leadership Program — part of the Michigan Municipal League’s 16/50 Project — is celebrating its fourth success story.

Ellen Glass, the Village of Vernon clerk, starts her job as the new Linden city manager on Sept. 3.

Glass is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Women’s Municipal Leadership Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Community

Development from Central Michigan University. She also works as a Certified Grant Administrator for Michigan Economic Development Corporation where she assists communities through the grant process for state/federal funding. In addition she serves on the Executive Board of Directors for Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity.

Already, Kim Awrey was promoted to assistant manager in Gaylord; Courtney Magaluk, is now the Scottville city manager; and Frances McMullan was hired as the Ypsilanti city manager.

The Women’s Municipal Leadership Program is sponsored in part by the MML Foundation, thanks to our generous donors. These four women were part of a class of 25 that received executive coaching, the chance to build their network, and courses in municipal budgeting and economic development. While the 16/50 Project prepares women to take the next step in their careers through the Women’s Municipal Leadership Program, the 16/50 Project also paves the way for the graduates by educating local officials on implicit bias in the hiring process.

The 2019 Women’s Municipal Leadership Program launched Aug. 23 with a class of 29 women.

You can create another success story by becoming a donor today.