Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re thrilled to bring you a conversation that captures the essence of visionary municipal leadership. Episode 152 features Danielle Dulin, City Manager of Manhattan, Kansas, whose journey from rural farm life to city management offers powerful insights for leaders at every level.
Perhaps the most compelling moment in this conversation arrives when Danielle shares her philosophy on municipal vision: “We work in generations, not in election cycles.” This profound perspective encapsulates what makes exceptional city leadership different from politics-as-usual.
Danielle witnessed this generational thinking firsthand during her six years in Lenexa, Kansas, where city leaders maintained a decades-long vision to create a vibrant city center despite economic downturns and political pressure. Today, Lenexa City Center stands as testament to municipal leaders who refused short-term thinking, creating instead a thriving mixed-use development that transformed their community.
Like many impactful leaders, Danielle’s journey wasn’t linear. Growing up on a farm 30 miles southeast of Dodge City, Kansas, she initially had no exposure to city management as a career. Her path took her from studying economics to working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City before a chance encounter with municipal officials visiting her public finance class sparked her interest in local government.
“I had no idea what a city manager was,” Danielle admits. “I had no idea what a city council was, what a city commission was, any of that.”
This relatable origin story reminds us that great municipal leaders often discover their calling through unexpected circumstances and the willingness to explore new opportunities.
In a field where only 13% of city managers are women, Danielle’s story highlights both the challenges and possibilities for diversifying municipal leadership. She shares candidly about navigating career advancement, family considerations, and the moment she realized she was ready to step into the city manager role.
Her perspective offers valuable encouragement to aspiring women leaders who might hesitate to pursue top positions. “I want women to see female city managers so they know that’s an opportunity for them,” she explains.
Perhaps what makes this conversation particularly valuable is Danielle’s openness about the personal dimensions of public service leadership. From managing a relationship while her husband works in another city to creating boundaries that protect her wellbeing, Danielle offers a realistic look at what sustainable leadership requires.
Her insights remind us that effective public service isn’t just about professional competence—it’s about creating sustainable patterns that allow leaders to bring their best selves to their communities consistently.
Whether you’re a current municipal leader, aspiring to public service, or simply interested in how cities work, this episode offers valuable wisdom from someone who’s navigated the complexities of local government leadership with integrity and vision.
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The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a community for city managers and administrators to experience growth and support as they lead thriving teams and communities. Podcast listeners receive 20% off with a 7-day free trial using code “PODCAST” when registering at haltingwinter.com/mldc.
Seth Winterhalter is the host of The HaltingWinter Podcast and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to building stronger cities through stronger leaders. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.
