OUR BOARD


GRETCHEN BACKER

Director of the Program Review Division of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Medical Services Administration in Lansing. A physical therapist with over thirty in practice, specializing in pediatrics, including direct patient care, research involving rehab treatment methodologies and rehabilitation technology.


HEATHER DEVOS

Communications and Outreach Specialist for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, a local non-profit serving older adults and adults with special needs. Extensive 20+ year career experience with fundraising, outreach and program development within AAA 1-B and other local non-profits. Heather has an adult son with disabilities whom she continually advocates for and has dedicated her career to serving others who are experiencing daily and lifelong challenges.


MIKE MCINERNEY

Former Executive VP/General Counsel of a $1.8B tier one global automotive supplier. Former President/CEO of a $500M tier one/two automotive supplier. Presently President/CEO of multiple companies in the real estate investment, development and consulting business, including in the office, commercial, industrial, hospitality and church sectors. On the Archdiocese of Detroit Finance Council and the Metro Detroit YMCA Board.


GREG RALKO

Former President and COO of a New Jersey retail media company. Former Vice President of Little Caesars International and Director of Overseas development for Domino’s Pizza International. Father of Mark Ralko, founder of Inclusively Fit.


MIKE RUCINSKI

President & Owner of Michigan Tax & Business Services, Inc. President/Treasurer of The Phoenix Ensemble, an Ann Arbor organization formed to promote music education for young students. Previous Treasurer at Emerson School, a private elementary school specializing in instruction for gifted and academically talented students.


JAY SAWMILLER

President/CEO and Managing Partner at Johnston Lewis Associates, a full-line insurance agency located in Troy, MI.


JEFFREY STEIGERWALD

Vice President of Private Duty Nursing and Home Rehabilitation for Centria Healthcare. Named one of DBusiness magazine’s 30 in their Thirties, a board member for the under 40 Make-A-Wish Foundation, a member of Concerned Association of Patients & Providers (C.A.P.P.), a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and involved with American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink.


KYLE JOHNS

First Vice President- Commercial Banking for Independent Bank managing a growing, diverse portfolio of commercial clients. During a 20+ year career working for local and regional banks, Kyle has financed over a half billion commercial loans: enabling the success and growth of Michigan businesses. Kyle serves on the boards of the Henry Ford Hospital, Trustee of the Foundation Board; East Michigan District Export Council; and Advisory Council of the School of Nursing at Oakland University. In the past she has served on the board for the Risk Management Association and Women’s Business Association. She has served as a mentor for Read to a Child and Building Bridges, while also volunteering in numerous community outreach programs. She was a recipient of a Crain’s “40 under 40” Award, Read to a Child “Volunteer of the Year”, and “Most Valuable Professional” and “Most Valuable Millennial Awards” for Corp! Magazine.

OUR ADVISORY BOARD


PAT KEMP

Retired General Motors Cadillac Brand Manager. Former Executive Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Corporate Fundraising for Autism Speaks. Former Executive Vice President of Marketing and Adult Services for Autism Alliance of Michigan. A strong advocate for people with special needs for over four decades and the father of a young man with autism.


BRIAN TIPPING

Currently partner and lead strategist at The Jakes Group, a creative brand communications agency. Past experience includes marketing leadership positions with Domino’s Pizza and Herschend Family Entertainment as well as VP of Marketing with Little Caesars International. Global clients have included J&J, Smithsonian, U.S. Steel, La-Z-Boy, Rubbermaid, and Owens Corning. Over two decades of experience in healthcare, including working with Centria Healthcare, Mercy Health, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, HCA Healthcare, UNC Health, and multiple enterprise health systems across the country.


AARON HOWARD

Managing Partner at AccuTech International, an IT Security, Consulting and Software company. Aaron Co-Founded AccuTech in 2006 and also is a partner with a successful online print company. Aaron previously lead business operations for a corporation in North America, formulating strong relationships with top-level executives and played a key role in corporate endorsement negotiations with Fortune 500 companies.

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