MSU Extension Great Lakes Leadership Academy

Jordan Pusateri Burroughs, Director

Jordan is the Director of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) within Michigan State University Extension. Jordan manages GLLA’s Leadership Advancement Program and Emerging Leader Program where she is responsible for curriculum development and delivery, participant recruitment and selection, managing the budget and staff, and fundraising. She is eager to develop synergies and serve as a catalyst for new leadership training initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities that benefit and strengthen our great State of Michigan.

Jordan spent the first 15 years of her career as a wildlife outreach specialist in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU. In 2009, she was named the Boone and Crockett Club Wildlife Extension Specialist where her passion for working with partners to bridge the science-policy interface and empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding conservation issues was brought to life. Her resume touts a wealth of experience in designing and facilitating collaborative stakeholder engagement efforts and developing innovative educational programs. A self-proclaimed foodie and adult-onset hunter-gatherer, Jordan pioneered efforts that embraced the locavore and sustainable eating/living trends in order to build awareness and strengthen social support for hunting and conservation. 

Jordan received her M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and her B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a fellow of the Natural Resources Leadership Project (2006), National Conservation Leadership Institute (2010) and LEAD-21 (2014). She was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and now calls Michigan home. Jordan loves spending time outdoors – hunting, fishing, gathering, grilling, hiking, kayaking – with her husband, son, daughter, and rambunctious black lab, Ripley.

Lindsey Gardner, Associate Director

Lindsey Gardner is the Associate Director of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy and a statewide Specialist in leadership. Lindsey is a Board Certified Coach and Certified Virtual Facilitator. She is trained in visioning, strategic planning, environmental scanning, and action planning with the Technology of Participation. Lindsey has expertise in conflict resolution, able to administer the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Lindsey has a broad range of professional experience including public education advocacy, affordable housing development, entrepreneurship, and youth development. As a former community organizer and nonprofit manager, she has a unique perspective on community engagement and organizational development. Lindsey earned a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organization Development and Cognitive Studies and a Master of Education in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kara Kelly, Program Coordinator

Kara is the GLLA Program Coordinator. Kara worked as a Research Scientist for nine years for MSU before transitioning to her new role with GLLA. She received her M.S. in Forensic Science from Bond University (Australia), and her B.S. in Biology from Tennessee Technological University.

Kara enjoys spending time outdoors, playing soccer, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.