Thoma named outstanding 4-H alumna
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EmailMonroe County 4-H alumna Schawna M. Thoma, of Anchorage, Alaska, was among 12 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society at a ceremony on Sept. 30.
Monroe County 4-H alumna Schawna M. Thoma, of Anchorage, Alaska, is among 12 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society. Thoma was recognized on Sept. 30, during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing.
The Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society honors former Michigan 4-H members whose professional leadership and community service reflect the ultimate outcome of 4-H membership – extraordinary use of an individual’s head, heart, hands and health to make communities, the country and the world better places in which to live. This recognition is provided by Michigan 4-H Youth Development with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
Schawna Thoma is vice president of Northern Compass Group, a business consulting firm she helped found in 2015. The firm provides problem solving, strategic issues campaign, and public policy solutions for businesses, government, and organizations in Alaska and across the nation. Before she become a consultant, Thoma spent nearly 20 years working for Alaskan politicians and candidates for office. She served as state director for U.S. Senator Mark Begich, chief of staff for State Senator Johnny Ellis, and deputy director of Anchorage’s Office of Economic and Community Development. Prior to her years in politics, Thoma served a 10-month term as a team leader with the National Civilian Community Corps. She has received many awards, including being named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Alaska Journal of Commerce in 2005.
Thoma credits her 12 years with Monroe County 4-H with setting the course for her career. She was a summer 4-H program assistant helping to lead the Citizenship Washington Focus program at the National 4-H Center near Washington, D.C. Following this experience, Thoma began her long history of political service as an intern for U.S. Senator Carl Levin.
“My 4-H experience and leaders are the reason I have a career in politics and policy, the reason I take on seemingly impossible projects, and why I have never given up on any of it,” said Thoma. “Our 4-H leaders taught us the art of when faced with a problem, turn to others to find a path forward. We learned about styles of leadership and that we were going to run into people different from ourselves, so we had to learn to work together.”
Thoma has served as president of the Alaska Young Democrats, vice chair of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership board of directors, and member of the Alaska International Education Foundation Board. Currently, Thoma is finance chair and a member of Visit Anchorage’s executive board of directors and serves on the executive board of the Anchorage League of Women Voters. She also sits on the board of directors for the AK Hopes and Dreams Project and is part of a leadership team for the Anchorage School District. Thoma serves as a mentor and role model to many and volunteers with the Anchorage Parks Foundation. In 2022, she received a volunteer service award for her service to the Anchorage Parks Foundation.
The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration was hosted and emceed by MSU Extension Associate Director Matt Shane, a Kent County 4-H alumnus and 2014 4-H Emerald Clover Society inductee. Also inducted into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society Class of 2022 were: Gail R. Frahm, Saginaw; Larry J. Gould, Morenci; Jon D. Hausserman, Fenwick; L. Janel Horrocks-Boehmer, Williamston; Alice A. Kempf, Holton; Karen Kolberg Kietzer, Stevensville; Dian M. Liepe, Pullman; Sarah J. Pion, Cassopolis; Rachael N. Ramirez, Birch Run; Melissa A. Souva, Bronson; and Mary J. Yeomans, Midland.
Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society members are inducted every two years. The inaugural class of 62 members was inducted in 2002 to coincide with the national 4-H centennial. For more information on the 4 H Emerald Clover Society and its members, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs.
The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of MSU Extension. Nearly 100,000 youth are involved in 4-H with the support of 9,000 adult volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu.
