Honor A Champion: Where Growth Meets Grace, Lindsey Hemmerlein’s Story
We all know someone who has touched our lives, someone who goes above and beyond to lift others up and make our community stronger. Each year, we recognize some of these extraordinary individuals at our annual Champs Celebration. Inspired by that celebration, Honor A Champion was created to extend that spirit of recognition even further. This special opportunity allows you to turn your CIS support into a meaningful moment for someone who has made a difference. Every donation made in honor of a champion directly supports students while celebrating the champions among us. It’s a simple, heartfelt way to do good together.
Sometimes, the people who impact us the most don’t just guide our careers; they change how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.
For Lindsey Hemmerlein, that person is Megan Johnston. A former supervisor whose leadership left a lasting impression both professionally and personally.
When Lindsey joined the Stryker Johnston Foundation in 2019, she entered a space where leadership looked different. Megan led with intention, care, and a deep sense of responsibility not just to the work, but to the people doing it.
Lindsey says “Through observing Megan, I began to understand what it meant to lead in a way that balanced both purpose and compassion.”
One lesson stayed with her: what’s the best that could happen?
That question became a quiet but powerful shift in perspective. It encouraged Lindsey to approach situations with optimism, to focus on what she could control, and to let go of what no longer served her. Over time, it helped her move through challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
But Megan’s impact became even more meaningful during a pivotal season in Lindsey’s life.
After welcoming her son in January 2023, Lindsey returned to work stepping into both a new role and a completely new identity as a mother. Balancing those transitions could have felt overwhelming, but Megan’s leadership approach was different.
Instead of focusing on productivity or performance, she set a goal centered on adjustment, encouraging Lindsey to take the time she needed to navigate what it meant to be a working parent.
“That moment stood out.” says Lindsey.
In an environment where expectations often come first, Lindsey felt something she hadn’t always experienced before, and she felt like a person first.
“I felt immense support and encouragement,” she shared. “Above all else, I knew everything was going to be okay.”
That experience didn’t just stay in that season; it reshaped how Lindsey moves through life today.
She now leads with kindness, extends grace more freely, and gives others the benefit of the doubt. What once felt like skepticism has shifted into openness, grounded in the belief that people are doing the best they can.
Megan also introduced her to practices like breathwork and guided meditation, small but meaningful habits that Lindsey has carried into her daily routine. Each morning begins with stillness and reflection, creating space for gratitude and presence before the day begins.
These practices, along with Megan’s example, have influenced not just how Lindsey works, but how she lives each and every day.
If given the opportunity to thank her today, Lindsey’s words reflect both appreciation and admiration:
“Thank you for modeling what it means to be a compassionate and empathetic leader. You gave me space to grow, to make mistakes, and to be myself. Because of you, I’ve learned to lead with love.”
Megan’s influence is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about direction, it’s about how you show up for people along the way.
And sometimes, the greatest impact comes from simply creating space for someone to become who they are meant to be.
The CIS Honor A Champion initiative was created to extend that spirit of recognition by inviting everyone to celebrate a champion in their life. This special opportunity allows your CIS support to become a meaningful tribute to someone who has made a lasting difference. Take a moment to honor a person who helped shape your story, or learn more today by visiting: https://ciskalamazoo.org/honor-a-champion/
Tags: CIS, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, Honor a Champion, Lindsey Hemmerlein
