Sterling Heights City Council Members Receive Awards from MML Elected Officials Academy

Two Sterling Heights City Council members recently received recognition for their completion of credits in the Michigan Municipal League's Elected Officials Academy. Councilwoman Barbara Ziarko and Councilman Michael Radtke were both awarded a certificate of completion of the EOA's Level 2: Leadership Award at the MML Conference in March.

The EOA is a voluntary program designed to encourage elected officials to pursue education on topics critical to governing their city or village, and to participate in a variety of leadership roles. Officials are recognized as they complete each of three levels in the Academy. Participation in these core activities provides officials with the tools they need to make sound decisions affecting their community's future.

"This prestigious acknowledgement underscores our leadership's commitment to effective governance and community advancement," said Sterling Heights Community Relations Director Melanie Davis. "We're incredibly proud of the unwavering commitment to service from all of our elected leadership, and their relentless pursuit of excellence has been the driving force behind our exceptional quality of life for all residents and businesses."

In addition to the Level 2 Leadership Awards, Ziarko was also recently accepted into the Women's Elected Leadership Intensive, the MML's new, transformative five-week program dedicated to equipping elected women with the essential resources, tools and skills needed for impactful leadership. As a participant in the program, Ziarko will join a community of dynamic women leaders for weekly virtual sessions covering essential topics such as parliamentary procedures, finance, community engagement, communications and economic development. The program concludes with an in-person Women's Leadership and Well-Being Summit, featuring a full-day executive coaching session and insights on well-being as an elected official.

"Communities thrive when their elected officials embrace continuous education where they can expand upon the wisdom needed to navigate the ever-evolving challenges of governance," said Davis.

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