The district administrator was honored as a Key Club alum and exemplary leader.
By Destiny Cherry
Jordan De La Cruz, district administrator of the Key Club Michigan District, received the Marc H. Litwack Legacy of Leadership Award in July during the 2026 Key Club International Convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
The Litwack Award recognizes a former Key Club member who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities and has made significant contributions to their profession and community.
De La Cruz is no stranger to leadership. She currently serves as an emergency-dispatch operator and a coordinator of the Critical Stress Management Team for the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. She joined Key Club in high school and served as her club’s president and a lieutenant governor before chartering a Circle K International club at Concordia University in Canada.
After returning to Michigan, De La Cruz briefly served as a zone advisor before starting her current role as the Michigan District administrator.
“Jordan’s approach to leadership shines bright with the core values of Key Club,” says Juhi Bhatt, a Michigan District secretary. “Rather than defaulting to rigid policy, she evaluates individual circumstances, ensuring that our district’s processes reflected Key Club’s commitment to compassion and inclusivity. She’s able to balance organizational needs with genuine care for individual members, which sets her apart as an administrator.”
Outside of her work with the Kiwanis family, De La Cruz has a passion for mental health, which led to her accepting the role as a critical stress coordinator. The goal of her position: creating environments where seeking support is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness.
As an emergency-dispatch operator, De La Cruz has experience in calm communication and quick decision-making. Her nurturing, empathetic temperament has made her a beloved member of both her community and the Key Club Michigan District.
De La Cruz’s continuous dedication to choose others, personify Key Club ideals and show up for her community members during the hardest moments of their lives is exactly makes her a worthy recipient of the 2026 Marc H. Litwack Legacy of Leadership award.