Experience

United Way of Northwest Michigan

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • 2013 - Present

  Director of a regional United Way that serves Antrim, Kalkaska, Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau county. It is a large geographic area with diverse needs and resources. We focus on the areas of Health, Education and Poverty, dedicating our efforts to address emerging trends that impact our collective quality of life in the region. Current Impact areas in the prevention category: Improving high school graduation rates and preparing students for a successful post high school launch. (job, career, college, training, certification, etc) Reducing Substance Abuse and addressing the effects substance abuse has on the individual, family, education, law enforcement, work and the community at large. Reducing Child Obesity by encouraging active, healthy lifestyles. United Way of NW MI continues its vital intervention service support, specifically as it pertains to people living in poverty, albeit employed, but struggling to meet their basic needs in housing, food and utilities. We have dedicated our resources and remain good stewards of donor resources of time, talent and treasure to this community driven, locally based strategy for positive change.



Michigan State University Ext

• Program Associate

  • Apr 1996 - Aug 2013

  Collaborative Coordinator and grant writer for Antrim and Kalkaska County Community Collaboratives. Extensive work to build collective impact for fragile and vulnerable populations. Convened and facilitated conversations and community dialogues around challenging topics including poverty, special needs populations, community health, foster care/out of home placements, farm markets, childhood obesity, substance abuse, relative caregivers, etc. Duties included community surveys and needs assessments, community awareness/presentations, regional collaboration and State/Federal govt contract management.