Rural Leader Magazine AUGUST 2026

AUGUST 2026

COVER STORY STORY The FEATURE Work After the Win

NavigatingBegins Care with When Compassion: AndreaGoes Jones Home, pg. 6 Why Real Leadership theHow Crowd Is Helping Rural Families Find Hope Through Healthcare, pg. 7

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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.

3 Editor's Note: Building Momentum for a Healthier Tomorrow

FEATURE STORY 7 Navigating Care with Compassion: How Andrea Jones Is Helping Rural Families Find Hope Through Healthcare 10 The New Face of Rural Leadership Leadership Isn't About Titles—It's About Showing Up 14 The Power of Partnership: Why Relationships Are the Currency of Rural Communities 19 Preparing the Next Generation Why Leadership Succession Matters in Rural America

23 Leading by Example: Why Your Health Is One of the Greatest Investments You Can Make 27 The Legacy We Leave: Building Communities That Will Outlive Us 28 Your Community Needs You: Why the Future of Rural America Depends on Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things 30 Celebrating Those Who Lead: Why Recognizing Rural Leaders Matters More Than Ever 32 Closing Article Making the Connection The Ripple You Leave Behind

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief Contact Us ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com 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 RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com— 2

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Editor’s Note Leading with Purpose There is a common misconception that leadership belongs only to those with impressive titles, corner offices, or elected positions. While those roles certainly matter, I have learned over the years that some of the most influential leaders are the ones whose names rarely make the headlines.

They are the nurse who stays a few minutes longer to comfort a worried family. The barber who becomes a mentor to neighborhood children. The teacher who refuses to give up on a struggling student. The volunteer who quietly sets up chairs before an event and is still there cleaning up after everyone else has gone home. They are the caregivers, pastors, business owners, first responders, and nonprofit leaders who simply keep showing up.

That is the kind of leadership we celebrate in this issue of Rural Leader Magazine. Living and working in a rural community has taught me that our greatest strength has never been found in the size of our budgets or the number of our resources. Our strength has always been our people. Rural communities have a remarkable ability to come together, solve problems, and support one another because relationships still matter. When challenges arise, we do not wait for someone else to fix them—we roll up our sleeves and get to work.

This month's cover story featuring Andrea Jones is a perfect example of that spirit. As a healthcare navigator, she helps families make some of the most important decisions they will ever face. Her work reminds us that compassion is more than kindness; it is leadership in action. Every conversation she has, every family she encourages, and every patient she helps represents another opportunity to strengthen the fabric of her community.

Throughout these pages, you will meet individuals

and explore ideas that reinforce a simple but powerful truth: leadership is an everyday choice. It is found in preparing the next generation, building meaningful partnerships, investing in healthier communities, and choosing service over recognition. These are the actions that shape the future of rural America.

As we look ahead to Rural Leader Day and our annual 40 Under 40 celebration, I hope this issue encourages you to pause and recognize the leaders around you—and perhaps even the leader within you. You do not have to hold a particular title to make a lasting impact. Every act of service, every relationship you nurture, and every opportunity you create for someone else becomes part of your legacy.

Our communities need people who are willing to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose. My hope is that when you finish reading this issue, you will feel inspired to continue building the kind of rural communities where families thrive, businesses grow, neighbors support one another, and future generations are proud to call home.

Thank you for allowing Rural Leader Magazine to continue telling the stories of the people who make rural America stronger every day. Their stories deserve to be told, and together, they remind us that the future of our communities is being built one act of service at a time.

Until next month, keep leading, keep serving, and keep making the connection.—

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