Collaborative Leadership
Megan Rydecki
Executive Director, Collaborative for Leadership and Civic Life and Director, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies
Megan Rydecki joined the Hauenstein Center in January 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Masters in Public Administration, both from Grand Valley State University.
Prior to joining the Hauenstein Center, Megan spent time in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, serving at the City of Wyoming, International City/County Management Association, The Right Place, CQL, and most recently, Consumers Energy. Her community involvement is extensive, highlighted by service to Grand Rapids Whitewater, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the Board of Trustees at Grand Valley State University. These experiences have allowed Megan to recognize the leadership potential in everyone, and she is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders for the betterment of the world.
In her free time, Megan enjoys traveling with her family, playing with her rambunctious dog, Sir Edmund, running with friends, and being out and about in community.
Contact: [email protected]
Kyle Kooyers
Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Kyle Kooyers, M.Div., is the Director of the Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University. With a background in community organizing and capacity building, Kyle oversees the Institute's programming and staff as they advance understanding and belonging across religious, secular, and spiritual communities. On campus and in the community, Kyle coordinates interfaith engagement, relationship-building, and leadership development initiatives that connect religious communities and non-profit organizations. As a facilitator and trainer, Kyle creates space for productive conversations that center human connection and storytelling as folks share the concerns, hopes, fears, and dreams of their identities, communities, and traditions. While respecting the differences that make a community vibrant, Kyle advances a shared sense of dignity and responsibility to create a flourishing community for all. He currently serves as a board member of the Post-Acute Care Committee and Health Equity Committee for Corewell Health, the largest health care provider in Michigan, and is ordained within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
Contact: [email protected]
Lisa Perhamus
Director, Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse
Lisa M. Perhamus was the inaugural Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley State University and now serves as the inaugural director of the university’s Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse. In addition to her directorship, she is a professor in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley.
Earning her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in Curriculum Studies, her Masters in Sociology from The New School for Social Research, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from William Smith College with a double major in English and Religious Studies, Lisa’s interdisciplinary background continues to inspire her current civil discourse work. She grounds herself in the idea that every person has a right to be understood, and through her teaching, scholarship, and service, Lisa seeks ways to elevate people’s stories in the face of societal barriers that often silence people.
Whether leading a civil discourse training in the community or facilitating group dialogue in the classroom, Lisa’s storytelling approach to civil discourse aims to foster mutual understanding through humanizing dialogue rather than divisive debate.
Originally from upstate NY, Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends; working in her intergenerational garden; and going on backpacking adventures.
Contact: [email protected]