After nearly 30 years with this incredible organization, I will be leaving Groundwork at the end of the year.
 
Yes, big news.
 
As you can imagine, it’s not easy to leave the best job in the world. But the time is right.
 
Groundwork is as strong as it has ever been. The staff is absolutely fantastic. So is the Board of Directors. Our base of supporters and partners is thriving and continues to grow. Our programs are making more of a difference than ever. After nearly three decades, it is indeed time for Groundwork to have a new director to guide this incredible organization into the next 30 years and prepare it for what lies beyond.
 
My last day will be December 31. Next month we will officially announce the search for the next Executive Director. A committee of Board and staff will conduct interviews, and a decision for the next E.D. should be completed by the end of summer.
 
I am overflowing with gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Groundwork’s Executive Director. It’s been a defining element of my life. So many close friends. Such a wonderful community of beautiful people. As I go forward, I will carry a deep sense of pride for what we have accomplished together and a profound respect for what is possible when people come together to advance a shared mission.
 
I was 26 years old when I started with this organization in 1995. It was called Michigan Land Use Institute back then, founded just weeks before by Keith Schneider, a journalist who wanted to do a little more to make a difference. It was a wild ride in those startup days. Keith had a real vision for what this organization could be, and he put everything he had into it (which was a truly powerful amount of talent and drive). We gathered momentum, and people came out to support us.
 
In 2000, I was named Executive Director. Other than the mentoring I’d had from Keith and a genuine commitment to the mission, I was far from qualified to run a growing nonprofit. But the staff, the Board, and people close to the organization rallied behind me (which meant the world to me then—and now).
 
We have come a long way since then. Our staff grew over time, reaching the 24 people we have today. We moved our headquarters to Traverse City and considerably expanded our statewide presence. In 2015 we changed our name to Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, which better reflects the integrated nature of our work, and we thought the name invited a wider range of people to our ranks. What I am really proud of is our track record of tangible public interest results and how Groundwork has earned a reputation as a credible and effective organization. Our staff are often identified as leading experts in their fields. Our programs are seen as examples to be replicated elsewhere (and of course we have learned a great deal from other organizations along the way).
 
As our journey evolved, we would gather from time to time to take stock of how we were doing and of where we were headed. We talked about threats and opportunities. Created new priorities and sharpened our strategies. What is striking to me is that we always held tight to some principles that never really changed:

• Our results are all about motivating people to get involved—and you can really make a difference when you mobilize a range of people from different walks of life toward a common goal.
• To mobilize people you must inspire them with an engaging narrative, using well-researched facts and real life examples they can connect with.
• You have to be specific about what you are after. Even when facing the most challenging and complex issues, always put forward a clear and practical solution.
• And finally, treat everyone with respect. We learned this from Governor and Helen Milliken. In their heyday, Michigan was a national leader on environmental policy and conservation programs. The Millikens argued passionately for what they believed in. And they also listened to others. Humility, civility, kindness, and results, those are some of the traits of the Milliken Legacy—and I think that approach is alive and well at Groundwork

There’s another core value that has been with us since the early days, and in our last strategic planning session, we made sure it rose to the top of our priority list: make sure our work benefits diverse populations and historically excluded people. I am so pleased that this strategic prioritization of inclusivity and equity is at the center of how we do our work, and I have no doubt it will remain a guiding principle in Groundwork’s future.

One very personal and powerful marker of this journey is my family. My wife, Maureen, and I were just kids when all this started. Open minded. Energetic. We didn’t need much. You may have heard the origin story about how Keith offered a room in our first office to Maureen and me as part of my compensation. We were like, “Heck yeah!” We loved our early days in Benzie County, getting to know that wonderful community of people and exploring the area’s stunning beauty.

A little later, Maureen and I moved into a home in Elberta, and our daughter Aiden was born, and then 20 months later along came Lucy. It was a busy time to say the least, trying to raise our kids and keep up with a growing organization that was leaning in on some of the state’s hottest environmental issues. It was not unusual for me to come home after working late at the office or out at a town hall meeting to find my family tucked away in bed. For that kind of backing, and all the loving support Maureen has given me over the years, I am deeply grateful. Really, anyone who appreciates what Groundwork is today should share that gratitude with her, because without Maureen Voss there is no telling how this story would have unfolded.

Well, the kids grew up, as they do, and went off to college and beyond. I started thinking with more focus about my future and the future of Groundwork. I was not ready to end my run, but it was obvious to me I had to start positioning the organization for another phase—for a future without me. I focused on building the most capable and collaborative team possible and shaped the organization to truly empower our awesome staff. I stepped back and gave them room to lead. And it did not take long to see the benefit. We became more efficient, more strategic, and better structured to accomplish our mission. We strategically and intentionally implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have made us stronger.

I have no doubt that Groundwork is absolutely ready for a new leader—someone to carry it to the next phase, to guide it into the next 30 years. Someone who understands the essential essence of Groundwork—that ephemeral mix of moxie and partnership, rapid response to breaking issues, and a convincing vision for what is possible in the next generation. Someone who comes at the toughest challenges with audaciously big ideas. I am talking about the spirit of, “Hey, let’s start a passenger train, and why not organize a coalition to shut down an oil pipeline?” And the vision to lead an organization that is committed to tangibly helping people—I mean everyone—like how we have launched and sustained a farm to school program that is accessible to kids across the entire state. And of course, our next E.D. must have an unflagging optimism that a better world is possible if we keep pushing sustainable solutions forward.

One reason for my optimism is the deep commitment I see in our supporters. It’s always blown me away. Thousands of engaged and committed people who ultimately are the power behind everything we do. Taking the time to write a letter to an elected official. Showing up at a public event. Sending in a check to support the cause. Nothing inspires me more than meeting a Groundwork supporter for the first time and hearing the story of what drives their involvement. They often thank me, but really it is their energy that drives us. From all of us on the staff, I want to send out a big open-hearted thank-you to each and every person who has been a part of the movement that is Groundwork. And, friends, stay with us for this next phase!

And me? I honestly don’t have any specific plans. No larger nonprofit in a big city. I just want to unplug and see what unfolds. I will tune into my role as a life partner to Maureen. I will spend more time with my family. And I will spend more time in nature. I have some ideas about next phase career ideas but I am going to take some time to let them unfold.

One thing is clear, the experience that has been Michigan Land Use Institute and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities will always be a defining part of my life, and I will always feel appreciative for the opportunity I had to contribute to a better world and thankful for the many, many incredible people I have come to know and call friends.

Whew! It feels good and real to share these thoughts with you all. Hopefully it’s not too heavy. Let’s save our goodbyes for the end of the year. Plus, I have a huge amount of work ahead of me in the next seven months! I will be actively involved in the search for the next E.D. I will continue to do whatever I can to support our staff and programs. And I will be working to raise funds for the future of the organization.

One thing is for sure: We will keep you posted as things unfold. We are in this together. Next month we will send out our E.D. job search post, and it would be great if you could forward it to people who might be interested. We will announce the new Executive Director when a decision has been made. We will let you know of a “Going away party” for me in December in Traverse City (it is definitely not a retirement party—I am just stepping into something else). And I imagine I will send another goodbye letter when we get closer, and include my contact info so we can stay in touch.

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for being a part of Groundwork and the crucial work we do. Thank you for playing an important role in my life. It’s been more than I could have dreamed of.

Thank you for the better world you bring!

With gratitude forever,

Hans Voss
Executive Director