Rural Leader Magazine APRIL 2025

APRIL 2025

Cover Story

Five ways to boost healthier living during National Nutrition Month, pg. 7 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2025 1

Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com

About Us

Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad.

Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com

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5 Move It Monday 2025 Spring Kickoff COVER STORY 7 Five ways to boost healthier living during National Nutrition Monthein Day 8 Rural Leaders Roundtable sponsored

by Sowega Rising 11 Half of Americans feel more comfortable using AI in their finances now, compared to a year ago

13 How digital health is making early type 1 diabetes screening easier 15 The time is now: What schools need to bolster waning math education 17 Nuturting Hope and Inc sponsors "The Shoes We Wear" 19 Four ways to save money all year round

Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support!

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag

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COVER STORY

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Five ways to boost healthier living during National Nutrition Month Have you ever thought about all the ways food brings people together? The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month®, “Food Connects Us,” created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, encourages individuals to explore the importance of making informed food choices while developing healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Sharing meals brings people together in ways that hold deep cultural and social meaning across communities worldwide, providing opportunities to learn about food preparation, the origins of ingredients, and the history behind the people who create the dishes. Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access all play a role in shaping people’s relationships with food and sharing meals can enhance social connections and strengthen community bonds. While all these factors influence the foods you eat, that food in turn also affects your health.

Herbalife is fully embracing National Nutrition Month®, with its nutritionists and scientists highlighting how food connects people to their cultures, families and communities - both their own and others. As a global health and wellness company present in over 90 countries and known for its science-based nutrition products, Herbalife has built a worldwide network of distributors, many of whom operate independent nutrition clubs, to encourage learning about healthier lifestyle habits.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) such as those at Herbalife, all play a critical role in helping people understand the connection between the foods individuals and communities eat, and how these foods impact everyone’s health throughout their lives.

Here are tips from the experts at Herbalife for improving your health during this National Nutrition Month® and beyond.

1. Make time to learn. Experts like the registered dietitians who make up the Dietetic Advisory Board and members of the Nutrition Advisory Board at Herbalife dedicate significant time in educating their distributors and their customers to help them achieve the nutrition they need for a healthier lifestyle. Learning how to read and understand nutrition labels is one crucial step, along with understanding the importance of eating nutrient-dense foods - ingredients containing many essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need, without a lot of empty calories that are devoid of nutritional value.

To help you get started, there are plenty of online resources on nutrition, such as Herbalife.com, where you can find tips for shopping and meal planning.

Focusing on ways to prepare well-balanced meals, rather than opting for the quickest and easiest snacks, is key to fostering better health and well-being for you and your family.

2. Find community and connection: How you cook and eat together with family, friends and your community can impact your health and wellness goals. Activities like shopping, cooking together and having children spend time with you in the kitchen can help your whole family build healthier habits.

Your children will learn from your example as you prioritize choosing quality ingredients and prepare them with care to make healthful meals.

You can also enhance that sense of connection by sharing meals with extended family, friends and other community members. Becoming an Herbalife distributor or joining one of their nutrition clubs are ways to engage with your community and continue to learn and grow.

3. Practice mindful eating. Pay attention to the origins of your food, as well as how you consume them.

Learning where ingredients come from and how they are best prepared can enhance your appreciation for meals and encourage healthier habits.

Increase mindfulness by turning meals into special occasions where distractions (like phones) are set aside. Spend time enjoying the food and each other’s company as you share the meal together. Slow down to appreciate each bite of food so you can not only savor the flavors and the social occasion but help decrease everyone’s tendency to overeat.

4. Prioritize nutrition. Focus on creating well-balanced meals that include a variety of nutrients.

Even when you do your best, statistics show that the American diet does not always provide the proper amount of some key nutrients that are needed for the body to function optimally. It’s all too easy to lean on convenience over substance, which can have a negative impact on long-term health. Herbalife products can help supplement your diet with essential nutrients, ensuring you get the nutrition you need.

5. Stay active together. Combine more nutrition-focused eating with physical activity with family or friends to create a healthier lifestyle for everyone.

Herbalife encourages incorporating exercise into your daily routine, through group activities at nutrition clubs, personal workouts and/or family outdoor GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2025 7

activities. You can start with simple family walks or bike rides before or after dinner.

“Herbalife is more than just a provider of nutrition products - it’s a trusted community that helps millions of people around the world achieve their health and wellness goals every day,” said Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND and senior director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife. “We focus on creating lasting behavioral changes that enhance overall health and quality of life. Herbalife’s commitment extends beyond products, with our networks of independent distributors

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offering coaching and motivation to help customers reach their goals.”

Explore healthy living habits, nutrition tips and how to participate in a community focused on wellness at Herbalife.com.—

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Half of Americans feel more comfortable using AI in their finances now, compared to a year ago

New research from Empower explores how Americans are seeing the “AI Advantage” with nearly half of Americans (47%) feeling more comfortable using the tool in their financial lives compared to a year ago.

Some 56% of people say they would use AI to recommend money moves to plan for retirement, provide tips to consolidate debt (58%), and help with budgeting (54%).

Importantly, 62% of Americans value the human component of financial advice, especially for significant financial decisions like investing. Many Americans see AI as a powerful tool to complement human expertise in financial decision-making: 61% say they would use AI alongside human financial advisors to achieve better results.

AI at work. AI is becoming a regular part of the modern workplace, with 58% of Americans currently using AI tools in some capacity while on the job. Among these users, 60% rely on AI mainly for writing and other content-generation tasks. While AI adoption is growing, more than a third (34%) say they do not use AI at work. Others are uncertain

about their company’s policy on AI usage at the office (38%).

AI is indispensable for some - 28% of Americans, including 29% of Millennials and 27% of Gen Z, can’t imagine working without these tools. But there is hesitation around adoption: Only 15% of Americans have received AI-specific training at work, and 14% avoid AI altogether due to fears it may one day replace their job.

Gen Z employees are leveraging AI to support their professional growth and workplace readiness: Over half of them (52%) use AI tools to build or edit their resumes, streamlining the job application process. Nearly half of Gen Zers (47%) use AI to prepare for important presentations, while 43% rely on it to practice for job interviews.

MethodologyThe Empower “AI Advantage” study is based on online survey responses from 1,009 Americans ages 18+ fielded in December 2024.— RO4165058-0225

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How digital health is making early type 1 diabetes screening easier

By Mariano Bendersky, Head of Digital Healthcare & Innovation, U.S. Autoimmune T1D at Sanofi Sponsored by Sanofi Healthcare (as we know it) is evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly digital world. Between telehealth adoption and people of all ages embracing “health from home” solutions, it’s clear that new tools and resources are shifting how people look at, and manage, their care - expanding preventative care and wellness for communities with unmet needs.

Take the type 1 diabetes (T1D) space, as one example. Today, new and exciting advancements are working to reduce barriers, increase access, and expand optionality when it comes to early T1D autoantibody screening. And it couldn’t come at a better time. While T1D screening helps people understand their risk of developing the disease before symptoms (and potentially serious complications) appear, many are unaware that screening exists. Perhaps even more troubling, some have difficulty accessing it.

Thanks to an influx of digital innovation in the existing screening landscape, this is all about to change.

Below, take a look at how T1D screening access is transforming in the digital age.

Why T1D screening matters. According to the T1D Index, an estimated 1.6 million people in the U.S. are living with T1D - an autoimmune disease wherein the pancreas makes little to no insulin. The disease doesn’t occur overnight; it develops in stages over time. That said, in Stages 1 and 2 of the T1D, there are often no visible signs or symptoms, making it difficult to spot early. As a result, many are forced to find out about their diagnosis in Stage 3, when potentially severe complications can arise.

Unfortunately, according to Global Pediatric Health, as many as four in 10 people don’t know they have T1D until they are already in the hospital with life-threatening complications. What’s more, a status report in Diabetes shows that up to 90% of people diagnosed with T1D have no family history of the disease. Experiencing a T1D diagnosis like this - in an urgent scenario and with little prior exposure to the disease - can understandably be overwhelming.

In an instant, you’re thrusted into a new reality that requires 24/7 disease management. For this reason and more, early detection of the disease is valuable because it can offer a precious window of time when individuals can learn more about how to prepare for

life with T1D before symptoms arise.

Caption: Your information will be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Credit: Shutterstock Modernizing T1D screening access In an effort to complement currently available T1D screening options and bring this potentially life-saving process to the digital age, Screening Central was born. As the first telehealth-enabled, user-initiated platform to request T1D autoantibody screening, Screening Central offers a comprehensive and convenient solution to help with every step of T1D screening. Developed in collaboration with Sanofi, the platform breaks down the process into three steps. * Getting Started: To start, visit Screening Central and answer a short health history questionnaire. * Getting Evaluated for Testing: From there, your information will be evaluated by an independent healthcare provider, who will determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for screening.

If confirmed, you can decide what your preferred screening method is, which could include talking to your doctor, getting tested at a lab, or participating in research trials. * Getting Your Results: After that, you will receive a phone call or arrange a televisit to discuss results or you can choose to have results shared directly with your doctor.

Caption: Screening Central can help you learn more about T1D screening. Credit: Shutterstock In 2025, no one should find out they have T1D in Stage 3 under potentially life-threatening circumstances. By leveraging end-to-end digital health innovation, Screening Central helps overcome existing barriers to screening and makes it easier than ever to put early T1D risk detection first.

As you can see, innovation is truly around every corner in the T1D space. Equipped with breakthrough advancements like Screening Central, now is the time to learn more about T1D and understand if screening is right for you. To learn more about Screening Central - and the other screening options available to you - visit Screen For Type 1.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | APRIL 2025 13

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The time is now: What schools need to bolster waning math education The latest release of the Nation’s Report Card (also referred to as the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP) include extremely concerning results. According to the report card for grades 4 and 8, there was no measurable change in mathematics scores in all locales compared to 2022. This data highlights significant ongoing challenges in student math achievement - challenges that must be addressed by states, districts and schools to prepare students for workforce demands of tomorrow.

“NAEP scores are a clear reflection of the challenges our education system is facing, with widening gaps between high-performing and low-performing students. The most vulnerable students are falling further behind, and this trend cannot continue,” said Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, board member of the National Assessment Governing Board.

How students score in mathematics is not only crucial for fields related to math, but for their overall success; recent research shows math scores are closely tied to salary at age 30, regardless of a student’s background.

“Business and industry leaders across our region, and the nation, are seeking applicants with strong math, reasoning and data analysis skills,” said Jack McDougle, president and CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade. “Both a child’s potential for success and the future health of our workforce are dependent on equipping students with the skills that math helps form and strengthen.”

Call to action. The NAEP results have spurred the Collaborative for Student Success, a non-profit organization dedicated to informing and amplifying policies making a difference for students and families, to take immediate action.

“Every time our nation is faced with low results on the NAEP exam, we express shock and dismay at the state of math education in our country,” said Jim Cowen, Executive Director of the Collaborative for Student Success. “But 48 hours later, the headlines fade, and little changes. This time must be different.

Let’s commit to concrete action to improve math achievement for all students.”

Their call to action is joined by 28 organizations representing educators, business leaders and parents who are united in urging state and district leaders to implement policies that will improve math achievement for all students.

The importance of accurate assessments. Assess-

ments like the Nation’s Report Card provide useful data for schools and district leaders to understand where students stand on their path to success.

Advocates express concern that current changes in the U.S. Department of Education create the possibility of states no longer being held accountable to track and report on student progress through assessments. Bipartisan solutions are available to policymakers that help ensure all kids - especially those from under-resourced communities - have access to a high-quality math education.

Strategies for improving math education in the schools The organizations are recommending six key strategies, backed by research and practice: 1. Expand access to high-quality instructional materials aligned to rigorous standards.

2. Provide educators with high-quality professional learning focused on effectively using instructional materials in the classroom.

3. Increase instructional time by extending learning opportunities before, during and after the school day.

4. Automatically enroll students into advanced math courses based on objective assessment results or other data.

5. Hold teacher preparation programs accountable for equipping teachers with the skills and content needed to succeed in math instruction.

6. Leverage math coaches at the school or district level to work closely with teachers to improve classroom practice and, ultimately, student math achievement.

“We also call upon local leaders to directly connect the math needs of our students to the workforce necessities of our communities,” added Cowen. “There’s no question that the more students that have a strong math education, the stronger our workforce will be.”

Progress is possible - and already happening The good news is many states across the country are proving that progress is within reach: * Rhode Island and Mississippi have taken concrete steps to increase access to high-quality instructional materials in math. * Texas, Washington and North Carolina have implemented automatic enrollment policies to ensure students are not overlooked for advanced math coursework.

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* Arkansas and Massachusetts have strengthened teacher preparation programs, requiring higher standards for math instruction. * Alabama and Colorado are offering programs and resources empowering teachers to improve instruction and extend learning beyond the classroom.

These success stories demonstrate that bipartisan action can yield real results. Now is the time for every state and district to follow their lead.

“The NAEP results are concerning - but we cannot let them be the final word. Instead, they should be the starting point for collective action,” said Cowen. “Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to excel in math. It’s time to move past the data and ensure that our collective actions speak louder than these numbers.”

Learn more at EduProgress.org/math.

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Four ways to save money all year round So, you’ve filed your taxes and are waiting for your refund. Now what?

“Tax season is a great time for families to reevaluate their finances,” said Jeannette Kaplun, founder and chief executive officer of Hispana Global. “It can be a chance to plug any holes in your budget as well as make the most of your tax refund.”

If you want to save on more than just your tax return this year, check out Kaplun’s four pro tips that can help you save without sacrificing quality.

1. Uncover spending leaks. Do you know where your money is going? You likely already know your fixed expenses like your rent or mortgage payment, car loans and utilities, and probably most of your variable expenses like groceries. However, there may be leaks in your budget.

For example, don’t overlook small daily purchases.

A daily $5 latte quickly adds up to a yearly expense of $1,825. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on coffee completely, but consider making coffee at home most days and limiting your lattes to a couple of times a week.

For parents, another seemingly small expense that adds up over time is your kids’ phone use.

“Make sure your kids aren’t racking up too many in-app purchases on their phones,” said Kaplun.

“Have your parental controls turned on so you can see what your kids are doing and how much they’re spending.”

2. Switch providers. You’ve probably heard about how you can save on car insurance by comparing rates and switching. You can apply the same principle to other expenses, too, like your internet service.

Just because you’ve been with your internet service provider for a long time doesn’t mean you’re getting the best deal. Shop around and see what competitors are offering.

For example, you could consider switching to NOW Internet by Xfinity. NOW Internet is a payas-you-go service, with no annual contracts and no credit checks that starts at just $30 a month, with allin pricing and equipment included. Best of all, there’s no hassle. You can order your equipment online and

have it shipped to your home or pick up your box at your local Xfinity store.

Bonus: Your internet service provider may offer deals on other services like mobile. For example, you can sign up for NOW Mobile and pay just $55 a month when you get both NOW Internet and NOW Mobile, with no annual contracts or hidden fees.

NOW Mobile is available for NOW Internet and Xfinity Internet customers.

3. Review your subscriptions. It’s easy to rack up subscriptions. Whether it’s digital streaming platforms, a gym membership or a monthly food box, you’d be surprised how many you have and how many you don’t use.

“Reviewing your online and offline subscriptions and removing those you no longer use can save you hundreds of dollars a year,” said Kaplun.

4. Look for deals and bundles. Now that you’ve reviewed your subscriptions and canceled those you don’t use, take a careful look at the ones you want to keep. You may be able to get better deals or bundle subscriptions to save money.

If you subscribe to platforms like Apple TV+, Netflix and Peacock, consider switching to NOW StreamSaver. NOW StreamSaver bundles Apple TV+, Netflix with ads, and Peacock Premium for the low monthly subscription of $30 a month with no contracts or additional fees. NOW StreamSaver also delivers over 125 streaming channels, so you always have something to watch.

NOW also offers NOW TV and NOW TV Latino, which offer over 125 streaming channels, including A&E, AMC, Discovery, HGTV, MGM+, TLC, Cinelatino, WAPA América and more. Plus, you get Peacock Premium for no additional cost. To learn more, visit Xfinity.com/NOW. Make the most of your dollars. You can still enjoy the things you love while saving money. Using these four expert tips, you can make the most of your tax season financial review and save money all year long.—

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