GovLove: A Podcast About Local Government
#728 State Professional Association Leadership with Jackie Schulze and Noah Schuchman
Why It Matters
Professional associations like MCMA are essential for building resilient local governments, especially as officials face increasing complexity and public scrutiny. By highlighting real‑world benefits and personal stories, the episode shows why investing time in such networks pays dividends for both individual careers and community outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- •MCMA launches first formal mentorship program for municipal managers
- •Association membership provides peer support, resources, and career development
- •Code enforcement experience builds essential customer‑service skills for city managers
- •Supportive spouses and managers crucial for professional association involvement
- •Career paths often start in public service or retail roles
Pulse Analysis
The latest GovLove episode, recorded at the Minnesota City County Management Association (MCMA) conference, spotlights the transition of leadership from outgoing president Jackie Schultz to incoming president Noah Schuchman. Both seasoned municipal administrators explain why professional associations remain vital for local government leaders, offering networking, best‑practice resources, and a collective voice that amplifies individual impact. Their discussion underscores how MCMA’s strategic plan and member‑first focus help city managers stay current on policy trends, technology adoption, and workforce development across Minnesota’s diverse municipalities.
A centerpiece of the conversation is MCMA’s inaugural formal mentorship program, modeled after successful finance‑officer initiatives. The program pairs experienced administrators with emerging talent through a structured application, matching questionnaire, and kickoff events in August. Participants receive guided discussion topics and clear criteria to foster meaningful relationships, addressing a long‑standing gap for junior staff seeking unbiased counsel beyond direct supervisors. By institutionalizing mentorship, MCMA aims to accelerate leadership pipelines, improve retention, and cultivate a collaborative culture that benefits both mentees and mentors.
The hosts also trace the guests’ career trajectories, revealing how early roles—Jackie’s high‑school basketball refereeing and Noah’s retail stint at Mall of America’s Bare Bones store—provided frontline customer‑service experience essential for handling resident complaints and code‑enforcement challenges. Both credit supportive managers, elected officials, and spouses for enabling their active participation in MCMA activities. Their stories illustrate that a blend of formal public‑administration education, on‑the‑job learning, and robust professional networks can propel municipal professionals to senior city‑manager positions, reinforcing the association’s role as a catalyst for career growth and effective local governance.
Episode Description
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about state professional association leadership. Jackie Schulze is the Assistant City Administrator at City of Waconia, Minnesota and Noah Schuchman is the City Manager for the City of Golden Valley, Minnesota. They shared the value of professional associations, and how professional associations can help promote the future of the profession. They also discussed what they hope to accomplish as leaders of the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA).
This episode was recoded at the 2026 MCMA Annual Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Host: Lauren Palmer
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