Without notes, hesitation or limitations, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Mary Buikema spoke about her experiences in leadership to Grand Valley State University students, staff, faculty and community members at the Venderbush Leadership Lecture on March 18.

Focusing on her personal experiences through her work with Habitat for Humanity, Buikema discussed what it means to be a leader and the most beneficial ways to create and sustain a team that works for maximum results.

Buikema has held the position of executive director at Habitat for Humanity of Kent County since 2010. Previously, she was a builder, designer and project manager for BDR Custom Homes Incorporated in Grand Rapids. She also worked as senior associate for Advancement at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Though Buikema has extensive experience in project management, working with nonprofit organizations was not always her career plan. Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting and sculpture from Calvin College, Buikema said she is no stranger to the idea of the worry that surrounds the choice of the right major.

“You can do anything you want to do,” Buikema said. “There are no rules, and if there are rules that stand in your way, break them. If you have motivation and determination, there are no limits to what you can do and where you can go and what you can do with your experiences.”

Additionally, students’ majors are not a set in stone path for every aspect of the future, Buikema said. The opportunities that you have in one area can often add variety and opportunity to another professional pathway, though she did warn that switching areas of focus too quickly can result in limitations of achievement.

“If you want to make a change, make sure to give yourself time to adjust to the work that you have to do,” Buikema said. “Put everything you have into what you do and you will be successful in your goals and ambitions. Leadership is a journey, not a destination.”

Collaboration is also imperative, as well as the most exciting part of leading an organization, Buikema said.

“Let people do what they do best,” Buikema said. “You cannot do it all. Assemble a group of people you can trust and then observe the greatest impact you can make and how to get there.”

Overall, students should not be afraid to take the opportunities that are presented to them, Buikema said. By limiting the consideration of challenges that present themselves, there are chances for missed experiences – especially when peers or administrators present these opportunities.

“When someone sees something in you that you don’t see in yourself, you should follow that chance and see where it can take you,” Buikema said. “You never know.”

The Venderbush Leadership Lecture, designed to recognize extraordinary leadership throughout organizations on the GVSU campus, has also worked to honor the memory of Kenneth R. Venderbush since 1999 through this opportunity.

This event works to give students the opportunity to listen to stories of leadership, as well as the opportunity to acknowledge outstanding student leaders who contribute regularly to our community by giving the Immediate Impact Award to one exceptional student leader.

The Immediate Impact Award goes to a person who has shown leadership qualities in their organization, and has risen to make an impact for the greater good of their organization, campus or surrounding community. This year, the award was given to Rachel Jensen of Gama Phi Beta.

New members of the National Leadership Honor Society Omicron Delta Kappa are also recognized during the event.

Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc., (ODK) is a National Leadership Honor Society that recognizes scholarship, leadership and character. New members are selected each semester and honored at the Venderbush Leadership Lecture and at their induction ceremony. ODK members assist with the “I am Grand Valley” events, sponsor a leadership case study competition at Leadership Summit, co-sponsor the Student Networking Reception and support a variety of on-campus events.

In addition to the acknowledgement of the new ODK members, the organization presented the ODK Faculty of Distinction Award to Chris Haven, associate professor in the writing department at GVSU.

“Through this event, the Office of Student Life believes in recognizing leadership and what that means,” said Brendan Gallagher, graduate assistant of leadership development in the Office of Student Life. “We’re really pushing forward as leaders, and it has been our tradition for almost 15 years to do just that through these type of leadership initiatives.”