The Bush Foundation announced the selection of its 2020 Bush Fellows, a group of 24 leaders who are thinking big about how to solve problems and shape a better future for their communities. The 24 Fellows are from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations in the Upper Midwest.
Fellows receive up to $100,000 over 12 to 24 months to pursue formal and informal learning experiences that help them develop skills, attributes and relationships they need to become more effective, equitable leaders who can drive change in their communities and region as a whole. Funding can be used for a variety of purposes.
One fellowship recipient is Jenna Udenberg of Two Harbors. Udenberg is on a mission to make the world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities, especially her home community on the north shore of Lake Superior.
A wheelchair user from an early age, she understands the physical and intangible societal barriers facing those with disabilities. Udenberg wants to change attitudes, approaches and accessibility so that the North Shore of Minnesota becomes a destination for people with disabilities and a model of welcome other areas can emulate. To become both an expert and advocate for change, she needs to learn how to better tell her story to remove the chasm between the non-disabled and disabled worlds. She will also pursue advanced training in Universal Design and visit other locations known for cutting-edge accessibility.
“The Bush Foundation believes that strong and equitable leaders are necessary for our communities to be places where every person can thrive,” said Bush Foundation Leadership Programs Director Anita Patel. “These 24 Fellows have demonstrated tremendous capacity to lead change, and we believe in their potential to make an even greater difference.”
A total of 746 people applied for the 2020 Bush Fellowship.
