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Your Kids' Food Basket Team

Leadership

Bridget Clark Whitney

She/Her

President And Founding CEO

Erika Abbo

She/Her

Chief Operating Officer

Kimberly Moore

She/Her

Vice President Communications and Community Initiatives

Austin Roelofs

He/Him

Vice President Of Programming

Rodney Savage

He/Him

Director Of Engagement, Equity, And Inclusion

Jill Dooley

Senior Director Of Philanthropy

Tamara Vanderark-Potter

Vice President Of Philanthropy

Staff

Zack Allen

He/Him

Farm Site Lead

Christine Bailard

She/Her

Accounting Assistant

Kendra Beckstrom

She/Her

Senior Regional Manager

Jane Berkey

She/Her

Regional Program Specialist

Damon Bouwkamp

He/Him

Manager Of Volunteer Services

Jessica Broekhuizen

Manager of Accounting

Carl Chapman

Warehouse Assistant

Maria Davis

Senior Human Resources Generalist

Christa Ferguson

She/Her

Communications Specialist

Alexis Ferguson

Regional Volunteer Experience Coordinator

Anne Marie Ferratt

She/Her

Accounting Specialist

Aman Fox

She/Her

Executive Assistant

Kay Fricano

She/Her

Volunteer Experience Specialist

Dawne Garvey

Philanthropy Specialist

Renae Gavitt

She/Her

Senior Manager Of Education

Nick Glaser

He/Him

Director Of Philanthropy

Noa Gohn

She/Her

Education And Engagement Coordinator

Hannah Grant

She/Her

Digital Media Specialist

Sara Gropp

She/Her

Farm Site Lead

Allison Guffey

She/Her

Evaluation Specialist

Leah Hein

She/Her

Communications Specialist

Erica Hughes

She/Her

Database Specialist

Heather Kanig

She/Her

Front Desk Receptionist

Stephanie Kerr-Cathey

Gifts Director

Bradley Littell

Facilities Specialist

Jason Lundberg

He/Him

Farm Manager

Julianna Majeski

Philanthropy And Events Coordinator

Stephanie Mcnitt

She/Her

Education And Engagement Specialist

Miguel Morales

He/Him

Nourish Program Specialist

Courtney Morgan

She/Her

Regional Volunteer Experience Coordinator

Hosanna Olah

She/Her

Volunteer Experience Coordinator

Michelle Plumstead

She/Her

Volunteer Experience Coordinator

Carly Pohl

She/Her

Philanthropy Coordinator

Haley Rademacher

She/Her

Grants Specialist

Kathy Reed

She/Her

Volunteer Experience Coordinator

Emily Riley

Manager of Philanthropy and Events

Haley Schaner

She/Her

Manager Of Nourish Program

Eric Schumann

He/Him

Donor Relations Coordinator

Olivia Shea

She/Her

Warehouse And Inventory Coordinator

Catherine Sliwinski

Program Assistant

Kyle Szucs

He/Him

Philanthropy Specialist

Tracy Vanderheide

She/Her

Director Of Finance And Information Technology

Elizabeth Washington

She/Her

Director Of Grants And Evaluation

Christina Wilson

She/Her

Education And Engagement Specialist

Board and Advisory Members

Inspired by our mission, every board and committee member is dedicated to making an impact in West Michigan.

Board of Directors

Mary Command – President and Treasurer
Williams Group

Jessie Jones – Vice President
Corewell Health

Mario Cascante – Secretary
Luna Restaurant Group

Mary K. Hoodhood – Founder

Bob Kaser
Grand Rapids Griffins

Phalesha Kyes
By Phalesha Events, LLC

Keith Rothstein
Meijer

Dr. Ronald Grifka
University of Michigan Health-West

Phil Sims
Integrity Tree Service

Menaka Abel
Request Foods

Charen Buyce
StitchFix

Graciela Cruz
Amway

Matthew Cortez
Superintendent of Muskegon Public Schools

Max Gibbs

Muskegon Advisory Board

Chair
Stan Miller

Vice-Chair
Elizabeth Briseño

Joy Evans
LaKisha Harris
Tony Laskowicz
Sarah Smith
Andy Usik
MaryAnn Winsemius
Mistelle Serio
Ruby Chaise
Michele Vanderlinde
Rob Cook
Jillian Meloche

Ottawa + Allegan Advisory Board

Advisory Board Chair
Melanie Downing

Advisory Board Vice-Chair
Barret Bloenk

Penny Bursma
Tracy Umbenhour
Carolyn Stich
Jessica Rodriguez-Garza
Nora Balgoyen
Scott Potter
Andrew Herlein
Boyd Feltman
Rosemary Ervine

Kids' Food Basket Committees

Ambassador Committee

The Ambassador Committee is comprised of members of our community that would like to represent Kids’ Food Basket in spaces that staff members do not have the capacity to fill. This committee will search out strategic opportunities for members to speak to the community on behalf of Kids’ Food Basket. Both staff and the committee team will gather to discuss availability of group to attend events or gatherings in the communities we serve and decide what aligns well with the promotion and mission of Kids’ Food Basket.

While members of this committee will have training on public speaking and Kids’ Food Basket related material, ideally we are looking for committee members that meet at least one of the following: have a variety of community connections; have a fair amount of availability on weeknights or weekends to fit the attendance needs; has past or current public speaking knowledge; can easily connect with and seek out community members to talk to of all diverse backgrounds and ages. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Evaluation Committee

The Evaluation Task Force will help establish and advise on the three-year strategic plan for evaluation at Kids’ Food Basket. This will include ensuring we have a sound Theory of Change for the organization, Logic Models for each of our programs, that the data we are collecting and the data collection methods we are utilizing are sufficient for measuring program outputs and outcomes. The committee will also weigh in on evaluation software, provide considerations for analyses, and ensure that the lens of equity is applied throughout our evaluation practices. The task force may also aid with complex analysis methodologies, the creation of data visualizations, and help reduce bias in our evaluation plans and analyses.

Ideal members of the evaluation committee would include evaluation professionals from nonprofits, universities, or consulting firms; business or data analysts; economists; individuals with extensive experience in software such as Excel, Power BI, and NVivo; anyone involved in assessing the impacts of programs designed to reduce food insecurity or improve health outcomes; or teachers, principals or school administrators who have experience assessing interventions and program outcomes with students. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is delegated fiduciary duties by the Board of Directors. Oversight duties include quarterly review of financials, annual budget review, annual independent audit participation and as needed projects. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Fund Development Committee

The Fund Development Committee collaborates with Kids’ Food Basket Development Team to recruit new potential financial donors. With support from the Development Team, members will explore prospects within their personal and professional networks and create a plan to engage them with Kids’ Food Basket’s mission. Members also participate in a variety of annual activities such as donor stewardship calls and events. Lastly, the committee provides valuable input on Kids’ Food Basket’s organization wide fundraising initiatives. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Learn Committee

A new committee in the works! If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Marketing Committee

The Marketing Committee collaborates with Kids’ Food Basket Marketing and Communications team to increase the organization’s revenue through various marketing tactics. With support from this group, members will explore prospects within their personal and professional networks and create a plan to engage new Kids’ Food Basket champions. 

As seasoned marketing and communication professionals, we want to utilize your expertise and skills to collaborate on new marketing strategy and tactics, particularly digital giving opportunities. 

In addition, we ask that members participate in a variety of annual activities such as donor stewardship events and spirit campaigns such as Feast for Kids and Go Orange. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Youth Action Board Committee

Students on the YAB will spend the year learning more about Kids’ Food Basket, fundraising, and building community. They will also oversee bringing “Kids’ Food Basket Week” to their school during the month of March. The board meets once per month to work on planning for this event with other students (both from their school and other schools). If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Young Professionals Board

The Young Professionals Board at Kids’ Food Basket is dedicated to growing our future generation of Young Professionals in both our non-profit and for-profit communities. Members will range between the ages of 18-35. The goal of this committee is to cultivate members with learning opportunities and allow agency with guidance over Kids’ Food Basket event planning, community engagement, and financial development.

Members should want to be engaged in philanthropy. All backgrounds and knowledge levels are welcome. Ideal members would have at least one of the following characteristics: Interest in learning about non-profit work, from development to education; mindset of growth and creativity for the future of Kids’ Food Basket; and the commitment to educating yourself on all aspects of our growing society in relation to food access. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Advisory Board – Ottawa + Allegan

For 20 years, Kids’ Food Basket has embodied diversity, equity and love, which has positioned us as leaders in community health. We believe that good food is the foundation of good health and good health is the foundation to a good future. This is essential to creating a stronger and healthier West Michigan. The advisory board in conjunction with Kids’ Food Basket Leadership, will help lead the advisory board to ensure Kids’ Food Basket Ottawa + Allegan is meeting its programmatic goals. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.

Advisory Board – Muskegon

For 20 years, Kids’ Food Basket has embodied diversity, equity and love, which has positioned us as leaders in community health. We believe that good food is the foundation of good health and good health is the foundation to a good future. This is essential to creating a stronger and healthier West Michigan. The advisory board in conjunction with Kids’ Food Basket Leadership, will help lead the advisory board to ensure Kids’ Food Basket Muskegon is meeting its programmatic goals. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact philanthropy@kidsfoodbasket.org.