To impact our world and future through personal leadership development and coaching by bringing high-level leadership training — typically reserved for professionals — to youth and everyone.

• Impact our future by equipping our YOUTH through personal leadership training.
• Impact EVERYONE by bringing personal leadership development to individuals in areas that typically do not have access to it.
• Through reaching both youth and adults, we will be a POSITIVE FORCE in impacting our world and future.

After surviving a life-altering car crash, our founder Susie Dahlmann sought coaching guidance that would change the course of her life — and become the foundation for Reaching Higher.

Susie had been a second-grade teacher for years but was concerned the extensive brain injuries sustained in the crash would limit her ability to teach. Susie was determined to not allow this trauma to dictate her life and enrolled in the Dale Carnegie course to help her regain her self-confidence. The course changed her life, and she decided to try her hand at becoming a Dale Carnegie instructor — a very exclusive and competitive endeavor. Not only did Susie win one of the six spots, she placed second out of 60 instructor hopefuls.

Susie then knew what she wanted to do with her life — bring personal development leadership and coaching to everyone, including youths. After traveling with author and self-help guru Deepak Chopra, Susie returned home to her 50th birthday party that provided the seed money for Reaching Higher. The youth curriculum soon debuted, and quickly after was in area schools. The adult program has continued upon Reaching Higher’s proven success. “My greatest joy is to help kids reach their full potential,” Susie said.

Reaching Higher’s Executive Board is a working board that’s actively engaged in the development and ongoing growth of its programs. Board members provide key expertise in the areas of finance, instruction, marketing, fundraising and ethics.

MARK HEMEYER (board president)

Mark Hemeyer has been affiliated with Reaching Higher since 2010. Mark is the president of Kennedy Industries in Wixom, Mich. He has worked at Kennedy for over 31 years developing a world-class environmental company with his 85 amazing teammates. Many Kennedy teammates participate in Reaching Higher as mentors or in the adult Reaching Higher class. 

TROY WEIDMAN (board member)

Troy Weidman is Reaching Higher’s director of strategy. He is passionate about helping people and organizations reach their potential. Weidman believes that to truly lead others, you must be humble and lead yourself first. Weidman previously worked for Trubiquity and Electronic Data Systems, leading teams in the area of business development, client delivery and customer satisfaction. He also is a high school basketball coach.

DR. DAVID BAZZETTA (board member)

Dr. Bazzetta is Reaching Higher’s director of integration and stewardship. Since 2005, Dr. Bazzetta has worked as a business advisor at BASF. Dr. Bazzetta is an adjunct professor at Northwood University, teaching “Ethical Leadership and Moral Development.” Dr. Bazzetta also is managing partner of BlackTree Advisors and partner & finance director at RYB Pilates, LLC.

STEVE LIVINGWAY (board secretary)

Steve Livingway is the director of Reaching Higher 4 Youth. He spent 32 years in public education, including 20 years as a middle school principal in Hartland, Mich. He has been a Reaching Higher instructor for 10 years and has served on the RH Board for one year. He also dedicates time to Hartland Enrichment and Recreation Organization (HERO) and the Hartland Teen Center. 

ANN METTETAL (board member)

Ann Mettetal is the director of facilitation and an instructor for Reaching Higher. Her professional experience has been working with organizations in the areas of human resource development, training, coaching, marketing and retention initiatives. She also has served as marketing and communications director for Reaching Higher, marketing and event coordinator at Howell Conference and Nature Center and director of marketing and professional placement at Total Rehabilitation, Inc.

JEFF NACHTWEIH (director)

Jeff Nachtweih is a board member and treasurer of Reaching Higher. Nachtweih retired in 2020 after working in the pump industry for 40 years, serving the Midwest industrial & municipal sectors. He worked for Ingersoll Rand, followed by Kennedy Industries for more than 31 years, where he became owner 25 years ago. He has been involved with Reaching Higher for more than 10 years, both behind the scenes and as a mentor. He hopes to help create an endowment for future generations of Reaching Higher students.

GREG LONG (board member)

Greg Long is Reaching Higher’s facilitator of training and development. He is a former builder and carpenter in Birmingham, Mich. Greg has been an executive consultant and life coach for the past eight years and is recognized as a leader in the industry. His specialties include empowering individuals and companies to operate and design an environment that provides the freedom to create a powerful future for all. 

SARAH PETTENGILL (board member)

Sarah Pettengill is the Director of Identity for Reaching Higher. She is a Michigan State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She was a reporter and then managing editor for The Argus-Press in Owosso, Mich., before transitioning to marketing and social media development. She also does freelance social media development contract work and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

JANE THIELKING (board member)

Jane Thielking has been with Reaching Higher since 2010 as a mentor and instructor. She became the Director of Development and Fundraising in January 2022. She has worked as an independent market research professional, working with retailers and quick-service restaurants, helping them with their consumer research as well as their overall real estate strategies. She is looking forward to developing new opportunities so Reaching Higher can continue its mission of bringing personal leadership development to the world.

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