“Showcase leadership through relationship”
Editor’s Note: In the summer of 2020, one of our interns was able to sit down with Cheryal and get to know her. She discussed her highs and lows, inspirations, and even advice she would offer to a former self.
We are excited to feature her through our Spotlight Profiles.
Cheryal Hills was born 1964 and grew up on a hobby farm in the old growth timber mountains of eastern Oregon where she enjoyed 4 seasons to grow & raise food, hunt, fish and forage for huckleberries and morel mushrooms to feed our families. When not working, Cheryal loves to garden and preserve/can foods, spend time with her family and travel. She is the mother of 3 children, all of whom are married and she has 2 young granddaughters. Cheryal’s life partner for 35+ years is Mike Hills.
Cheryal identifies herself as professionally diverse. She owned a low-voltage company for over 30 years with her husband, ran a non-profit builders association, was a hospice nurse and has been with Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) since 2006. R5DC is a regional unit of government serving five counties in Central MN. They do this through 5 lending programs: transportation initiatives, community planning, renewable energy, broadband, local foods, welcoming communities projects/programs and more.
Question: Describe your connection to rural America for us?
Answer: I’m attracted to rural places with forest and water landscapes. While urban places have their charm, I’m personally content in rural. I understand rural; I can bring all my resources and creativity to address opportunities and challenges.
Question: Tells us about a moment you felt discouraged and how you overcame it.
Answer: When R5DC was picketed by concerned citizens who were protesting our Welcoming Communities program at an event co-hosted for the unveiling of the Growth & Justices’ “The MN Equity Blueprint” on June 26, 2019 – my concerns grew about how rural MN would be economically and socially prepared for future demographic shifts. I knew that to continue our work, I would need to bridge a culture of fearful residents who do not share my world views. Certainly in ways that did not shame anyone. I made a personal commitment to learning more about inequities and systematic oppression. All the while, acknowledging how we have historically attempted to norm our “ruralness” despite our diverse values. For me, discouragement’s best enemy is intentional tenacity.
Question: How do you lead and create change in your community and how can your community better support rural women?
Answer: There are dozens of projects and programs we can all point at. But, I heard this phrase that truly captures my leadership values “showcase leadership through relationship.” Early in my tenure at R5DC I heard a speech by the then MN USDA State Director Ms. Colleen Landkamer. She was sharing the importance of “relationships.” Which, at the time was a message that I felt was too simplistic. It was not reflective of the serious issues we were facing in rural MN. Of course, later I learned that she was completely right. If authentic relationships are absent, we can’t mentor, value, challenge and change. I am a mentor and mentee and I appreciate both roles. My rural community can better support rural women through pay equity and election of women to elected leadership roles.
Question: If you could give one piece of advice to your former self, what would that be and why?
Answer: A younger Cheryal would say that all 13 of my personalities have great self care advice but much like Alice in Wonderland “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it”. As a more mature (older) Cheryal I try to listen to myself more about how hard I should and should not work as I’m practically the only one who can convince the other 12.
More seriously, while my instincts have been good, I’d tell myself to intentionally balance economic prosperity with environmental stewardship and to ALWAYS place equity at the center. Lastly, I’d give a pep talk and tell myself to continue to surround yourself with innovative compassionate people. As well as trust and verify and own and direct the power of your passion.
Question: Who or what has been your biggest inspiration?
Answer: Tough question! Over the last 15 or so years I play a mental game when I have windshield time. It goes like this: If you had to pick 10 women to “go to battle with”… figuratively speaking… who you know that regardless of the challenge, together you could win. Who would they be? Why? So, the list has changed over time depending on where I am in my journey, but it has always been a list of amazing women I believe in. Interestingly, I’ve never had a rock star or politician or even the Notorious RBG on the list. Instead, place my trust in so many of the 100 Rural Women who get up every day – just like me – who might seem like small grains of sand on the beach but together we shape rocks to make one hell of a difference.
Unquestionably, that swell of sisterhood drives me and I love you all.