15 May MCCF Staff Invest in Professional Development to Strengthen Community Impact
As part of the McPherson County Community Foundation’s (MCCF) ongoing commitment to excellence, staff members have recently taken part in professional development opportunities across the country. These efforts are designed to help team members grow as leaders and communicators while bringing fresh ideas back to benefit our communities.
Michelle Huddle, MCCF’s current CFO and incoming president and CEO, attended the Council on Foundations’ New Executive Leader Retreat. The retreat, located in Indianapolis, brought together 16 newly appointed community foundation CEOs to share challenges, learn from each other’s experiences, and collaborate on best practices for leadership.
“The most impactful takeaway for me was the concept of co-active leadership,” Huddle said. “Effective leadership is dynamic and responsive—it means leading from the front at times, walking alongside the team at others, and supporting from behind when needed.”
Huddle said the experience energized her and reaffirmed her dedication to the Foundation’s mission.
“I look forward to continuing our work with the people of McPherson County,” she said, “Planting seeds today that will grow into opportunity for the next generation.”
More on Huddle’s appointment to President/CEO
Director of Community Services Betsy Davis and Director of Development Jim Ostlund attended a workshop in Topeka hosted by the Kansas Association of Community Foundations and Embolden, an organization specializing in donor and advisor engagement, with the focus of the workshop being engagement and legacy gifts.
“Both presenters from Embolden came from legal backgrounds, so they offered deep insight into estate planning and charitable giving,” Ostlund said. “One thing that stood out was their emphasis on listening, skilled advisors don’t start with solutions, they start with understanding.”
MCCF has previously partnered with Embolden to provide content to local professional advisors. Ostlund said he’s eager to use more of Embolden’s tools to build stronger relationships with fund holders and the broader community.
“I’m excited to implement the resources we received, to help spark meaningful conversations about legacy giving and deepen connections with nonprofits, boards, and community members,” he said.
Davis and Ostlund had both previously attended the Big Rural Brainstorm, an event hosted by the Inman based Kansas Sampler Foundation. The gathering brought together nonprofit and government leaders from across the state to share ideas, strategies, and creative solutions for rural communities.
“The energy, creativity, and collaboration at that event are truly inspiring,” Davis said. “It’s a space where imagination flows freely and even the boldest ideas are welcomed.”
Davis said her biggest takeaway was the reminder that every rural community has a unique identity.
“Many of us face similar challenges, but there’s no single ‘right’ way to solve them,” she said. “The open exchange of ideas helps us move from insight to action—and reminds us that we’re not alone.”
As always MCCF is committed to the success of McPherson County. By providing opportunities for our staff to learn and network, MCCF can adapt and adjust strategies to better serve our partners and communities.