Staff Spotlight

Every quarter we will highlight a Blandin Foundation Leadership staff in our “Staff Spotlight” section. This quarter we are pleased to shine our Spotlight on Michele Smith.

Education: I graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1981 and in 1983 I received an Associate of Arts degree from Itasca Community College. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1985 ­ there I studied psychology and communications.

Last job prior to joining the leadership team: Prior to joining the Blandin Foundation, I worked for eight years as a Paraprofessional/Educational Support Professional for the Grand Rapids School District, primarily with an EBD program for teenagers at risk called “Success.”  In this position I worked as an Administrative Assistant and one-to-one with students.  Before that, I worked for 10 years at a large insurance company in Minneapolis, MN (Allianz Life), in accounting and underwriting.

Role on the leadership team: I am the Business Assistant for the Blandin Community Leadership Team.  My primary duties include accounts payable, budgeting, event planning, contract writing, and administrative assistant to the leadership director.

When did you join the leadership team? I joined the leadership team on April 18, 2008.

What attracted you to leadership as a career?  I value being involved in what matters most ­ my community and my family.  The Blandin Foundation Leadership Program is highly respected and has done many wonderful things in rural communities of Minnesota.  I wanted to be a part of facilitating leadership in rural communities.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? It is very gratifying to work in such a welcoming, encouraging, appreciative, and empowering atmosphere where I am encouraged to learn more about myself and about the skills that will make me great at my job.  I also enjoy working with a Leadership Program that helps so many people. While some aspects of my job are familiar, all the new things I’m learning are very exciting and gratifying.

Personal information:  My husband, Brad, is a carpenter for Kraus Anderson Construction, in Bemidji. We live on my family’s homestead where I grew up, with a small hobby farm and 80 acres.  We feel very blessed to literally be back ‘home’ in Grand Rapids, after living in Blaine, MN for 10 years. We have two children, Nevada, age 14, and Kramer, age 17.

I am currently serving a third term as clerk of Harris Township. Much of my spare time is spent working on those duties out of my home. I also enjoy being with family and friends, scrapbooking, renting movies, cooking/baking, and attending a variety of performance events at the Reif Center.