Thank you for 18 years of leadership!

Over the next month, Amy Quinn will prepare to leave Grow & Lead to focus on family and explore what’s next in her professional journey. She will be working closely with Holly Jackson, Grow & Lead director of operations, who will assume the role of interim CEO Aug. 1.

When Amy joined Grow & Lead, she was new to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. What began as an opportunity to lead soon became a lifelong commitment to the people, organizations, and communities that call the U.P. home. Through her vision, dedication and unwavering belief in the nonprofit sector and how it supports youth development, Amy helped transform Grow & Lead into a trusted partner for organizations across the region, one that has empowered countless leaders and strengthened communities for generations to come.

Amy understood from the very beginning that when nonprofits are equipped with the right tools, resources and relationships, entire communities thrive, setting a strong foundation for youth. Under her leadership, Grow & Lead expanded opportunities for organizations throughout the Upper Peninsula by bringing high-quality training directly to rural communities with the Strong Organizations Strong Youth (SOSY) program.This initiative was designed to train and assist youth-serving and other supporting nonprofit organizations to build capacity through sub awards, workshops and technical assistance.

Her vision extended far beyond programs and funding. Amy believed that collaboration was one of the nonprofit sector’s greatest strengths in helping youth thrive. She cultivated partnerships that connected organizations with one another, bridged relationships between nonprofits and the business community and helped create a network of leaders who knew they were stronger together than they could ever be alone. Whether serving as United Way campaign co-chair, contributing to the Lake Superior Community Partnership or facilitating strategic planning sessions for organizations like the Peter White Public Library, Amy consistently brought people together around a common purpose.

During times of uncertainty, Amy became a steady presence. Long before virtual meetings became commonplace, Amy embraced emerging technology and encouraged others to do the same. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of nonprofit work, Grow & Lead was ready to respond because Amy had already built a culture that embraced innovation, adaptability and connection. Organizations throughout the region found not only resources, but reassurance, knowing there was someone ready to help navigate whatever challenge came next.

Perhaps one of Amy’s greatest gifts is her ability to see potential: in organizations, in partnerships and most importantly, in people. She believes every team member has unique strengths worth developing. She encourages staff to try new ideas, trusts them with meaningful opportunities and celebrates individual talents in ways that help people discover confidence they didn’t know they had. Her leadership has created an environment where learning is encouraged, creativity is welcomed and mistakes become opportunities for growth rather than reasons for criticism.

Amy also understands that caring for people means caring for the whole person. She championed work-life balance long before it became common practice, building policies and a workplace culture that recognizes employees as people first. She listens deeply, remembers the details that matter most and approaches every conversation with compassion and respect. Her door is always open, and her title never defines the way she treats others.

Whether facilitating a board retreat, guiding CEOs through difficult conversations or helping organizations navigate periods of change, Amy has a remarkable ability to remain calm, fair and grounded. She asks thoughtful questions, welcomes diverse perspectives and keeps conversations moving forward with integrity, professionalism and just the right amount of firmness when needed. She earns trust not because she demands it, but because she consistently demonstrates it.

Her impact reaches far beyond conference rooms and board meetings. Amy loves beginning staff meetings with “good news,” reminding everyone to pause and celebrate life’s wins, both big and small. She has a knack for bringing people together through thoughtful icebreakers, shared laughter and genuine curiosity about the lives of those around her. She remembers birthdays, checks in after difficult moments and never hesitates to support someone who needs encouragement. Whether it is offering a meaningful opportunity, giving someone else the spotlight, or quietly extending an act of kindness; Amy’s generosity often speaks louder than words.

Prior to her career in the nonprofit sector, Amy worked as a commodity trader for Cargill, where she developed the analytical mindset that would later serve Grow & Lead so well. She tackles complex budgets with the same confidence she navigates Upper Peninsula blizzards, pairing strategic thinking with practical solutions. Yet despite her impressive expertise, Amy remains remarkably humble. She treats everyone with the same respect, whether they are a first-time nonprofit leader, a longtime community partner or a member of her own staff.

The true measure of a leader is not simply what they accomplish, but what continues because of them. Amy has helped create stronger organizations that are better equipped to serve their communities. She has mentored nonprofit leaders who found confidence through her encouragement. She has created stronger partnerships built on trust, collaboration and shared purpose. And she leaves behind a Grow & Lead culture rooted in integrity, innovation, compassion and the belief that people do their best work when they feel seen, valued and supported.

Thank you, Amy, for your vision, your compassion, your leadership and your unwavering commitment to communities in creating a positive impact on youth development. Thank you for believing in people before they believed in themselves, for leading with both strength and kindness and for showing us that the greatest legacy a leader can leave is helping others discover what they’re capable of becoming. Congratulations on an extraordinary 18 years!

Grow & Lead is excited to offer two opportunities to celebrate with Amy and recognize all she has accomplished during her time with the organization. In keeping with our commitment to serving and including community members throughout our rural region, we are replacing our regular Thriving Thursday program on Thursday, July 16, with a virtual Kudos & Well-Wishes drop-in from 12 to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/KudosAmy.

Later that day, we invite the community to join us for an in-person open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Island Store Pavilion at Presque Isle in Marquette. RSVPs are appreciated at: https://tinyurl.com/RSVPAmy.

Questions about either event may be directed to info@growandleadup.org.