That commitment grew earlier this month when the Institute hired Shauna Fite to coordinate its program work in Benzie County.

A longtime resident of Benzie County, Shauna brings strong local roots to her new position.

She moved to Benzie with her family just before starting high school. And after graduating from Michigan State University, she returned to Benzie County to stay, citing her love of the county’s natural beauty and sense of community.

Fresh out of college, Shauna served Benzie as an AmeriCorps VISTA* volunteer with MSU Extension. Her work with the organization’s at-risk youth and summer recreation programs led her to a position at Big Brother and Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan.

She eventually left town long enough to earn a paralegal certificate at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and then returned to become the outreach coordinator at the non-profit Benzie Housing Council, which works on affordable housing, an issue dear to the Institute.

Shuana brings a great deal of community building, fundraising, and networking experience to the Institute. She is excited about lending a hand in strengthening programs, developing member support, and protecting Benzie’s beauty while helping to build its prosperity.

“People in Benzie live in one of the most beautiful areas in the Unites States, but it can be very difficult to make a living here,” she said. “The Institute confronts this head-on. It advocates for policies and planning that can bring new jobs and new people to the area, build our local economy, and at the same time protect our rural beauty and environment. The Institute is a leader in building a new green economy, and I’m thrilled to be part of it!”

Shauna’s work will include both local work and projects throughout Northwest Michigan that build on and support the Institute’s Food and Farming, Energy and Environment, and Thriving Communities.

You can contact Ms. Fite at Shauna@mlui.org.