Why aren’t more women holding the top leadership role in local government?

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, to talk about his bold idea—the 16/50 Project—created to shift the statistics and change the trajectory for women in municipal leadership.

We explore what it really takes to become a City Manager, the mindset required to lead at that level, and why both tactical skills and executive presence matter more than ever. Dan also shares his leadership philosophy and why this work is so personal—and so necessary.

🎙️ In this conversation, we cover:

• The origin and impact of the 16/50 Project

• The evolving role—and pressure—of the modern City Manager

• The leadership gap between the #2 and #1 positions

• Dan’s take on what effective leadership looks like in today’s world

• How Michigan communities are changing as more women lead

If you're passionate about leadership, equity, and the future of local government—this episode will leave you inspired.

DAN GILMARTIN BIO:

Dan became the League’s seventh executive director in 2005 and its youngest leader in the organization’s long history. Through his work with communities, Dan is recognized as anational leader in urban policy and revitalization. He holds leadership roles with the National League of Cities and the international Placemaking Council. Dan is a co-author of two books on the economic importance of place and isfrequently quoted in state and national publications. Dan received the Diamond Award from is association peers in Michigan for his work as a strategic leader, and under his direction, the League is designated as a Top Workplace by theDetroit Free Press and as Most Effective Lobbying Organization in the state by a MIRS/WPIC-MRA Insider Survey. Dan is a lifelong Michigander and a Detroitnative (and booster), and currently resides in the historic downtown of Northville, Michigan, with his wife, Lori, and two sons.

What if the key to energized, authentic leadership isn’t found in a boardroom — but in a sound bath?

In this episode of Charging Up Leadership, we explore the power of vibration with Geoff Lamden — a musician turned sound healer turned entrepreneur behind Sacred Springs, the makers of sound-infused kombucha. Geoff’s path is anything but traditional, but his insight into presence, resonance, and rhythm offers a refreshingly grounded take on modern leadership.

Before he’s a business owner, Geoff is a human — and that foundational truth shapes how he leads, connects, and creates.

We explore:

• How Geoff’s journey from music to sound healing to kombucha creation reflects a deeply intuitive leadership style
• Why the Sacred Springs taproom was designed as a space for connection, expansion, and intentional community
• What “vibratory response” means in leadership — and how we can tune into the way people and systems react to our presence
• The concept of entrainment — how teams, like rhythms, sync up when strong leadership sets the tone
• How Geoff uses sound to read dissonance and consonance in the body — and what that teaches us about organizational harmony
• Leading from the “base self”: the power of showing up as human before professional
• How to stay in alignment with your values, intuition, and energetic presence — even while growing a business
• What it means to charge up leadership through resonance instead of force
• Why listening is a core leadership skill — not just to others, but to yourself and the energy of a space

This episode is an invitation to lead from the inside out — to trust the vibe you bring, the rhythm you move with, and the sound you leave behind.

Learn more about Geoff and Sacred Springs:
https://sacredsprings.com

BIO:

Geoff Lamden is a self-proclaimed pioneer in the exploration of sound and vibration as a healing tool for individuals and community. His music career started with putting his first band together in 1990 while in 8th grade. He has toured the nation and been in over 100 hundred bands since then. In 2014 he started his venture into sound healing with one-on-one sessions involving tuning forks, singing bowls, and didgeridoos which then lead him to small groups in yoga studio settings. In 2012 he started using vibration as a catalyst in his home brewing of kombucha. In 2016 he co-created Sacred Springs sound-infused kombucha company that grew quickly into distribution into over 500 stores in Michigan and surrounding states. In 2018 as they were about to go nationwide a choice was made to cut down production and focus on a small scale taproom facility that is still open to this day. Geoff has lead hundreds of musicians as well as a large and small staff of employees over the years. His focus is sustainability through authenticity of self and offers a place where employees, clients, and customers are encouraged to know themselves and take action from this place of feeling and knowing. His latest addition is holding space with his voice and sound creations in plant medicine ceremonies. His message is love and presence with an openness to be willing to listen first and then take action.

🎧 New Episode: Mariah Walton - "Her Ceiling is Now Her Floor"

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mariah Walton, City Manager of East Pointe, as she shares her leadership journey, transformation, the power of mentorship, the need for validation, and how she overcame internal biases to step into her full potential.

We dive into career transitions, women in leadership, and what it takes to navigate the world of local government with confidence, integrity, and personal power.

Mariah also discusses the huge impact of the MML "16/50 Project" program, how it impacted her personal life, and the shift in her own glass ceiling.

Listen now and get inspired to take charge of your leadership journey!

#Leadership #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #LocalGovernment #EmpoweredLeadership