Strengthening MSBO Connections – Julie Williams-Muz

By Julie Williams-Muz, M.Ed, CPA, CFO, MSBO Board Immediate Past President, Finance Director, Bay-Arenac ISD 

Following are comments given by MSBO Immediate Past President Julie Williams-Muz at MSBO’s Annual Business Meeting held at the 2026 MSBO Annual Conference.

This year MSBO focused on strengthening connection in meaningful, practical ways. We launched the MSBO Exchange, our new secure, members‑only online community where you can ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. We’re also developing a Back-to-Basics video series to provide timely, on‑demand guidance on foundational topics. These tools were created for one purpose: to make your work easier and your network stronger.  

My hope is that they help you feel more supported, more connected, and more equipped to perform at your highest potential. 

I’m filled with both gratitude and reflection. There’s something deeply meaningful about reaching the end of something you’ve poured so much of yourself into — the satisfaction of completing the work, but also the ache that comes with letting go. 

Leadership, like life, is a series of chapters. We turn the page not because we’ve run out of story, but because a new one is waiting to be written. Still, it’s hard to close a page that has meant so much. This organization, this board, and this community have shaped me in ways I could never have predicted. The friendships, the laughter, even the challenges — they’ve all become part of who I am. 

Over the past year, MSBO has continued to grow and strengthen through meaningful initiatives — initiatives centered on professional growth, collaboration, and member support. From expanding learning opportunities to enhancing the resources that make our jobs easier and our schools stronger, this year was about building connections that last. 

And to the incredible MSBO staff — thank you. You are the steady, talented force behind everything we do. Your ability to take board vision and turn it into impactful action is nothing short of remarkable. Each initiative, each conference, each communication that helps our members succeed — it all happens because of your dedication, professionalism, and care. 

Jon Gordon, this year’s keynote speaker, often reminds us that leadership is not about titles, but about influence — about creating something that will endure long after you’ve stepped aside. I’ve seen that truth lived out here. The power of togetherness — of shared purpose and genuine collaboration — is what makes MSBO strong. It’s what allows us to serve Michigan’s schools, our colleagues, and ultimately the students who depend on all of us to keep their learning environments thriving. He challenges us to choose a single word that captures our focus, intention, or vision for the year instead of writing a long list of detailed action plans.

This is what you shared:

 As I hand this gavel to the next president, I do so with tremendous pride in what we’ve accomplished together and confidence in where we’re headed. This moment isn’t an ending — it’s a beginning. A continuation of something greater than any one individual. 

To the membership — thank you for trusting me so many years ago to serve on this board. That opportunity has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Every decision, every project, every shared moment has deepened my appreciation for who we are and what we stand for. 

MSBO’s story will keep unfolding in new ways, with new voices and new energy. I’m proud to have played a part in that story. As I pass the gavel, I do so with pride — knowing the foundation beneath us is strong, with it being rooted in our shared commitment to serve, lead, and grow TOGETHER.