2026 Impact Award Winner—Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency and Delilah Santiago

ROGERS CITY, Mich. — Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium is proud to recognize Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency and Delilah Santiago as its 2026 Impact Award recipient. Presented annually by the Michigan Works! Association, the Impact Awards celebrate individuals and employers who are strengthening Michigan's economy by creating jobs, developing talent, and building strong career pathways.

The partnership between Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency and Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium demonstrates how employer engagement, workforce development, and youth opportunity can create lasting impact for individuals, businesses, and communities.

Since 2012, the Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency has served individuals and families throughout Northeast Michigan while maintaining a strong commitment to community involvement and workforce development. Through a longstanding partnership with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, the agency participates in youth Career Expos and provides meaningful work-based learning opportunities that help students explore professional career paths.

One of those students was Delilah Santiago.

While attending high school, Delilah enrolled in Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium's WIOA Youth and Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) programs. Working with her Youth Career Advisor, she received career exploration services, work-readiness training, and assistance overcoming transportation barriers. Those supports led to a paid Youth Work Experience at the Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency during her senior year.

What began as a short-term work experience quickly evolved into a career opportunity.

Delilah's professionalism, initiative, and eagerness to learn stood out immediately. Following the completion of her work experience, she was offered permanent employment with the agency. Through continued collaboration with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and support from the Young Professionals Plus Program, the agency utilized On-the-Job Training funding to support Delilah's continued skill development and professional growth.

On September 15, 2025, Delilah achieved a major milestone by earning her Resident Producer Insurance License, transforming from a high school student participating in a paid work experience into a licensed insurance professional serving clients throughout Northeast Michigan.

"My journey started as a high school student participating in a Youth Paid Work Experience through Michigan Works!," said Santiago. "At first, I saw it as an opportunity to gain experience, but it quickly became much more than that. Working at the Cory Budnick State Farm Agency showed me what a long-term career in insurance could look like. Earning my Resident Producer Insurance License was a huge milestone, and I'm proud to be building my career here in Northeast Michigan."

Today, Delilah is a valued member of the State Farm team and has come full circle by representing the agency at local Career Expos, sharing her story with students who are beginning to explore their own career options.

Cory Budnick credits the partnership with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium as an important component of the agency's workforce development strategy.

"Participating in the On-the-Job Training program has enabled us to provide valuable training to our employees effectively, helping us build a skilled workforce that meets our business needs," said Budnick. "The support from Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium has had a significant impact on our company, particularly in terms of employee retention and expanding our talent pool. The wage reimbursement during training made it financially feasible for us to invest in workforce development, which has strengthened our organization and contributed to our growth."

Budnick also reflected on Delilah's growth after the pair attended a local Career Expo together.

"I cannot stress how excited I am to work with her and help her develop employment skills," Budnick said. "At the beginning of the event, she was hesitant and unsure about engaging with students. Within an hour, she was confidently greeting students, introducing herself, and discussing career opportunities. It was a complete transformation in confidence, poise, and engagement."

The success of this partnership demonstrates the value of demand-driven workforce development strategies that connect local employers with emerging talent.

"Delilah's journey is exactly what a youth-to-career pathway should look like," said Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium's CEO, Jessica Topp. "An employer identifies potential, Michigan Works! helps remove barriers and share training costs, and the result is a skilled professional building a career in a high-demand occupation right here in Northeast Michigan. This strengthens our workforce, supports local employers, and contributes to the long-term vitality of communities like Rogers City."

The Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency and Delilah Santiago exemplify the impact that is possible when employers invest in talent, young professionals embrace opportunity, and community partners work together to support success.

Congratulations to Cory Budnick State Farm Insurance Agency and Delilah Santiago, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium's 2026 Impact Award recipient.

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