Melissa Marsh | MME President
It is truly an honor to serve as your Michigan Municipal Executives President for 2026. I am grateful for your trust and for the opportunity to spend another year working alongside professionals who care deeply about our profession, their communities, and one another.
January’s Winter Institute was a great way to kick off the year. The sessions were practical and relevant, but what stood out most were the conversations between those sessions. There is something energizing about being in a room with other managers and municipal leaders who truly understand the complexity and responsibility of the work. I left the Winter Institute both proud and inspired by the willingness of experienced managers to share lessons learned while emerging leaders leaned in with curiosity and confidence. Those cross-generational conversations are where the future of our profession is shaped.
Thank you to the Professional Development Committee for delivering a thoughtful and engaging program, to the Michigan Municipal League staff for their continued partnership, and to our sponsors whose support makes these opportunities accessible to members across the state.
Every profession eventually faces the same question: who comes next?
In local government, that answer does not happen on its own. It depends on whether emerging professionals feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to take the next step forward.
In 2026, our focus is on intentionally creating that space within our organization. The strength of MME has always been the willingness of its members to share experiences openly and help one another solve complex problems. Now we are taking the next step in making sure newer voices feel invited into the conversation and see a clear future for themselves in the profession of local government management.
For MME, inclusion is not a standalone initiative. It shows up in mentorship, in who we invite into discussions, and in how accessible we make our professional spaces. Sometimes that looks like encouraging a first-time conference attendee to ask a question during a session. Sometimes it means introducing a colleague to others in the room. Often, it is simply pulling up a chair and making it clear that someone’s perspective is valued. Those moments may seem small, but they shape careers and collectively they shape the future of this profession and the future of our MME.
Over the coming year, you will see continued emphasis on mentorship and engagement across career stages as well as making it easier for students to be involved. Whether you have decades of experience or are attending your first event, your presence matters. Your willingness to share, to listen, and to connect strengthens this organization.
The strength of MME has always been its culture of generosity. Our next step is ensuring even more professionals feel invited to receive that knowledge and, in time, to pass it along.
Melissa Marsh
President, Michigan Municipal Executives
City Manager, Madison Heights