Commissioner Sue Hakes
On March 4, Cook County Commissioner and former Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes received some exciting news. The Bush Foundation announced a list of 24 regional leaders who would be receiving Bush Fellowships—and Hakes is on that prestigious list.
“We are thrilled with our new class of Bush Fellows. It’s an extraordinary group of leaders who are already making a real difference in this region,” said Bush Foundation President Jennifer Ford Reedy. “We are excited to see what they will make of the opportunities that a Bush Fellowship offers and what it will help them accomplish for their communities.”
Since 1965, the Bush Foundation has assisted more than 2,200 people through its Fellowship programs. The Bush Fellowship is designed for people who have already demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities, but who feel they could accomplish even more for their community with focused, intensive leadership development. The Fellowship is distinctive in its flexibility, allowing Fellows to articulate what they need to become a better leader – whether through a self-designed learning experience or an academic program – then providing them with the resources and support to make it happen.
“Some have used their Fellowship to pursue doctorate degrees, others to obtain bachelor’s degrees. Some have used it to travel across the country and build connections with thought leaders on topics important to their community, others to build stronger networks within their community,” Reedy said. “What Fellows do during their Fellowship is unique to their individual needs, but the impact is often the same: an experience that leaves them better equipped and better networked to be a more effective leader for their community.”
Asked what she would do as a Bush Fellow, Hakes said, “My goal is to build leadership capacity in rural Minnesota to improve the quality of life in Cook County and northeastern Minnesota. It is critical that Greater Minnesota thrive for its own benefit and also for the benefit of all Minnesotans.
“Collaboration between government, nonprofits and the private sector is so important to a healthy future in greater Minnesota. We need to work together to close the economic gap and other disparities between rural and metro communities. We need to find a more unified voice,” said Hakes.
The Cook County News-Herald asked how she would work toward her goals. Hakes replied, “During my two-year Fellowship, I will build my own leadership capacity by earning a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, as well as attend Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education courses. I will use this education and the experience of the Fellowship to support and encourage local leadership working to improve life in rural northeastern Minnesota.”
How will Hakes juggle her county commissioner duties with her educational pursuit? Hakes said, “Thankfully, my education at the U will be earned on-line and on weekends. The Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education courses will require my attendance between one to three weeks per course.”
Nearly 400 people applied for the 2014 Bush Fellowship. Applicants were asked to describe their vision for strengthening or contributing to the common good of the region and to explain how they would use a Bush Fellowship to achieve that vision. From the initial pool of applicants, 60 semi-finalists were selected and invited to provide additional details about their vision and themselves, including three references who could speak to their qualities as a leader. From there 36 finalists were selected and invited to travel to the Bush Foundation’s headquarters in Saint Paul, Minn. for a half-day of interviews with the Fellowship Selection Committee, which was composed of community leaders and Bush Fellowship alumni from across the region.
Hakes said, “I’m honored, humbled, and thrilled beyond belief to have been selected.”
The Bush Foundation, which was established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife, Edyth, will accept applications for the 2015 Bush Fellowship in July 2014. The Bush Fellowship is open to anyone age 24 years and older who lives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or one of the 23 Native nations that shares the same geographic area. For more information about eligibility criteria, visit BushFoundation.org/ Fellowship.
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