People Development

Featuring Lori Mueller, People & Culture Manager, OMAG

Strong communities depend on strong leaders, and strong leaders need opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others. Through her work with OMAG, Lori Mueller helps develop leaders, strengthen workplace culture, and support the people who serve communities across Oklahoma.

Hear directly from Lori Mueller as she shares her career journey and explains how leadership development, workforce growth, and organizational culture contribute to stronger communities and more effective local governments.

Featured Career Story

Building the Leaders Who Help Communities Thrive

Strong communities depend on strong local leaders, and those leaders need support, training, and connection. In Oklahoma, Lori Mueller’s work with OMAG shows how human resources, people development, and leadership training can directly strengthen cities and towns.

As People and Culture Manager, Lori serves both internally and externally. She supports OMAG’s staff culture, onboarding, employee development, and recognition efforts while also helping members build leadership capacity within their own organizations. One of the clearest examples is OMAG’s Municipal Leader Academy (OMLA), a seven-month program that brings municipal leaders together from across Oklahoma to learn, build relationships, and solve real-world challenges. As of August 2026, six cohorts have graduated from the program, representing 51 municipal organizations and 140 graduates. Class 7 launched in July 2026 with an additional 28 participants. In addition, more than 180 leaders have participated in OMAG’s Municipal Supervisor Bootcamp, a two-day leadership development experience designed to strengthen leadership skills and support workforce development across Oklahoma.

The impact of that work extends far beyond a single training session. Lori described how these programs bring together people from many different municipal roles, including frontline supervisors, city managers, police chiefs, and fire chiefs. Although their responsibilities may differ, they often face similar challenges related to recruiting talent, managing limited resources, communicating effectively, and leading people through complex situations. By creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth, Lori helps leaders build stronger networks, develop new skills, and discover that they are not alone in the challenges they face.

Lori’s own path also reflects the value of curiosity and openness in this field. Like many people who build meaningful careers in municipal pooling, Lori’s path began with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Through her work with municipal leaders, board members, attorneys, claims professionals, and local government officials, she developed a deep appreciation for local government and the people who serve it. Her role demonstrates that careers in municipal pooling are not limited to claims or underwriting; they also include people-centered roles that shape culture, develop leaders, and support long-term workforce strength.

For individuals interested in human resources, training, organizational development, or leadership, Lori’s story shows how these skills can become a form of public service. By helping municipal employees and leaders grow, she is helping communities become more resilient, connected, and prepared to serve their residents.

Featured Quote

“If serving people is something you want to do, you should consider working for a risk pool or municipal league.” – Lori Mueller