Rural leadership is often discussed as if rural communities are static and homogenous. They aren’t. According to 2020 U.S. Census data, nearly 1 in 4 rural residents is a person of color, 20% are aged 65 and older, and rural economies increasingly rely on immigrant labor, women-owned businesses, and multigenerational leadership. At the same time, many rural regions face leadership shortages, workforce gaps, and declining trust in institutions. These realities make one thin
