Jeanne Hess shares her journey from playing volleyball at the University of Michigan to becoming a coach, professor, author, and now vice mayor of Kalamazoo. She coached women’s sports at Kalamazoo College for 35 years, also serving as a chaplain and writing two books about spirituality and purpose. After retiring, a nudge from former Mayor Bobby Hopewell led her to run for City Commission, where she found parallels between coaching and public service.
“There is a huge connection between what I do now as vice mayor and as a member of the commission of Kalamazoo and coaching and teamwork,” said Hess. “One of the reasons I made the [volleyball] team at [University of] Michigan was because I was a good team player. I was a hard worker, did my homework, trained, all that kind of fun stuff. Today, I sit on a group of seven people. And if you know your volleyball, there is there are six players and a libero, the player who comes in and out for plays defense. So there’s literally seven people on a on a court, and there’s seven people on the commission. I’m very comfortable working with them, and it’s not working against them. We’re working together for the greater good of the city.”
Watch the complete conversation and become inspired to do your part for our community.
