
About Us
Who We Are
Leadership Barry County offers established and emerging leaders a unique opportunity to be part of a group that comes together to develop their professional and personal leadership skills; learn about Barry County through discussion and firsthand experience; and build relationships with others.
Our roots reach back to 1989 when the W.K. Kellogg Foundation issued a grant to Michigan State University extension offices for leadership and local government education. Out of that grant, Leadership Barry County became the pioneer rural leadership program in southwest Michigan.
Growth does not stop with the program. Over the past 28 years, our network has grown to almost 500 program graduates. These alumni are offered continued opportunities to keep learning and connecting throughout West Michigan. Leadership Barry County also provides broader services to the community, such as workshops on running for public office and serving as a point of connection between non-profit organizations and potential board members.