Every year, I leave the CEO Facilitator Retreat feeling grateful, energized, inspired, and incredibly proud to be part of the CEO family.

Serving as the Facilitator for Union County CEO is one of the greatest privileges of my professional life. Watching students grow in confidence, leadership, professionalism, and entrepreneurial thinking is rewarding beyond words, and retreats like this remind me that none of us do this work alone.

Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship truly serves as the “mother ship” for CEO programs across the country. The resources, training, support, and guidance they provide are second to none. Their tools are creative, practical, timely, and continually evolving to help us provide the very best experience possible for our students and communities.

The annual Facilitator Retreat is so much more than professional development. It is a time to learn, collaborate, share ideas, challenge ourselves, and return home better equipped to lead. Every detail is thoughtfully planned, every session is purposeful, and every conversation leaves us with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm.

What impresses me most is the leadership Midland consistently demonstrates. Their team leads with integrity, honesty, professionalism, creativity, and genuine care. They are bold and forward-thinking while remaining deeply committed to the vision that Craig Lindvahl established. They don’t just teach leadership—they model it every day.

These retreats are invaluable because they help us become better facilitators, which ultimately strengthens our programs, enriches our students’ experiences, and creates a greater impact in the communities that invest in and support CEO.

Thank you, Midland Institute, for believing in facilitators, investing in our growth, and continually challenging us to dream bigger, lead better, and serve our students well. I am proud to be part of the CEO network and excited for all that lies ahead for Union County CEO.