Nicole Irrer wanted to go to college, get a degree in international sales, and travel the world. Instead, the girl born and raised in mid-Michigan has stayed here her whole life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Today, she helps people in Michigan, across the United States, and even around the world.

Nicole is the director of advancement at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. She credits her upbringing and early work experiences for shaping both her entrepreneurial mindset and her commitment to showing up and delivering results.

Her parents moved to Midland for her father’s work, selling industrial machines used in automotive manufacturing. They decided to stay after finding a strong church community. Their emphasis on faith, family, and hard work would become a defining influence in Nicole’s life.

Nicole got her first taste of responsibility early. At just seven years old, she took on a paper route, a job she still points to as formative.

“I loved it,” she says. “Working with people, figuring out what worked for them, earning tips, and learning the importance of showing up no matter what — rain, sleet, or shine.”

Her early start sparked a drive that led Nicole to take on a wide variety of jobs throughout her youth: babysitting, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and working at the local farmers market. Each experience reinforced her ease in working with people and solving problems.

After attending Calvary Baptist Academy and Church and graduating from Midland High School, Nicole attended Northwood University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. She married, started a family, and built a successful 20-year career at Verizon, a Fortune 15 company, where she held a variety of leadership roles. She ran retail stores and managed districts responsible for tens of millions in annual sales revenue and assets before moving into business-to-business sales.

After leaving Verizon, she joined a startup founded by former colleagues. When that venture began to struggle, she started exploring new opportunities and soon learned about an opening at the Mackinac Center. She recalled what Amy Green, then the assistant to Mackinac Center Joseph G. Lehman, had once shared with her about the organization. After digging deeper into its mission, she quickly realized it was the perfect fit for her.

“Part of my background was selling products to people,” she said. “Now I sell freedom.”

At the Mackinac Center, Nicole leads the advancement team, works closely with donors and manages staff, identifying new opportunities and helping shape long-term growth strategy. She views donors as essential partners in the Center’s work.

“I’ve always had a bit of a superhero complex,” she says. “I want to help fix problems and find solutions. Our donors are the real superheroes here. We just get to be part of the work that makes life better for people and their families for generations to come.”

Outside of work, Nicole prioritizes family. For decades, her family has gathered for a weekly game night at her mother’s home, a tradition that now includes her husband and children. She stays active outdoors through hiking and rock hunting, feeds her curiosity through reading and audiobooks, and worships alongside her family at church.