Julianne Princinsky Selected as the 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award Recipient

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Leadership Michigan, a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, is pleased to announce its 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient, Dr. Julianne Princinsky. She will be honored at the program's Annual Leadership Dinner on October 21, 2010, at The Henry -- formerly known as the Ritz-Carlton -- in Dearborn.

"Dr. Princinsky, President of Baker College of Flint, was selected for this award because of her exceptional leadership qualities, her achievement in both professional and civic activities, her ability to create and articulate a vision and effect change, and her significant contribution to the development of future leaders," said Aimee Bahs, Director of the Leadership Michigan program.

"While Julianne is a person of deep compassion, she understands that what is needed in the greater Flint area today is leadership that believes in the human capacity to achieve great things against the odds," said Kathi Horton, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. "She is the voice that urges us to get past any sense of victimization and 'get to work!' She is the kind of leader that makes a depressed community believe in itself and its future again."

Dr. Princinsky serves as President of the largest College in the Baker system, Baker College of Flint.  The College is known for its deeply embedded roots in the communities it serves.  To support its high quality education and training curricula, Dr. Princinsky leads the College faculty and staff in adhering to all of the College's Ten Guiding Principles, not the least of which is maintaining a strong community orientation as well as strong fiscal performance and exemplary customer service, thus enabling graduates to retain a 98.9 percent or better graduate employment rate.

"She is an in-demand board and committee member sought out by many for her integrity, intelligence and innovation," said nominator, Beverly Brown, Leadership Michigan 1998 graduate. "Moreover, Julianne understands the power of teams and knows how to harness their collective intelligence to achieve any outcome."

Dr. Princinsky has served on many community boards. Currently, she is Chair of Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce; Vice President and Past Secretary of Food Bank of Eastern Michigan; Executive Committee/Board member of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan; Greater Flint Educational Consortium board member; and Greater Flint Health Coalition board member.  She has also served in the past as both Chair of the Genesee County United Way Campaign and Chair of the United Way Board of Directors.  She has received many community awards including the Athena Award, Jewish Federation Donald Reigle Award, and Citizens of the Year for Tall Pine Council.  Last year, on behalf of Baker College of Flint, she accepted the Business of the Year Award from the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Princinsky has also played a significant role in many community projects. She helped transform the YWCA of Greater Flint both locally and nationally by demonstrating and coaching others how to lead; she led the charge to re-engineer property that was a large eye-sore inside the city limits into a prominent Center for Transportation Technology; and she assisted in the blending of four economic development organizations into the current Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"In her service to numerous non-profit agencies, she encourages other leaders to never give up on a cause that you're passionate about.  She fuels others with endless motivation and sets a stellar example of positive influence and wisdom," said Brown.  "Dr. Princinsky is a role model and visionary in the eyes of many."  

"We are honored to recognize Dr. Princinsky's outstanding achievement in leadership and to provide an example of what excellence in leadership means," said Bahs. "She exemplifies how a leader can apply their leadership abilities and skill set to a wide range of areas, extending beyond their own core work area.  She has clearly made a large impact on her organization and community."

The crystal award will be presented to Dr. Princinsky at the Leadership Michigan Annual Leadership Dinner on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at The Henry -- formerly known as the Ritz-Carlton -- in Dearborn from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Please visit www.michamber.com/mx/leadershipmi for details.

The Distinguished Leadership Award was created in 2005 to honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence in leadership and exemplify the goals and aspirations of the Leadership Michigan program. Over 500 professionals have graduated from the program since its start in 1988. Past award recipients include: Bob Buckler, retired, DTE Energy (2009); Jim Barrett, retired, Michigan Chamber of Commerce (2008); J. Paul Austin, retired, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (2007); Patrick L. Anderson, Principal, Anderson Economic Group (2006); and Jim Epolito, entrepreneur (2005).

SOURCE Michigan Chamber Foundation