What do you do at the GHACF?

I am the Scholarship Program Manager, overseeing the scholarship program at GHACF which awards over 250 scholarships annually, totaling over $900,000, to graduating seniors and current college students within the Tri-Cities, Allendale, and Coopersville areas.

How long have you been with the GHACF?

I began my work with GHACF through TCAN in 2011, and I have continued various contractual roles since 2014 in various capacities ever since.

Why do you work at the GHACF?

Those who know me at all know that I love our community and have a special passion for all things education. The work GHACF does in this community is so critically important, and I feel blessed to be a small part of it.

Education & Experience

I received my Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) and my Masters in Elementary Education from DePaul University. I taught middle school in Chicago before my husband, and I decided to return to West Michigan. In 2011, I became the Director of the Tri-Cities College Access Network (TCAN) and then became the Educational Initiatives Officer at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. After some time away to dedicate to my two young boys, I am thrilled to be overseeing the scholarship program again.

Do you have a leisure activity or hobby?

As a mom of two, I’m always on the move, but when I get a chance, I absolutely love spending time outdoors with my family. In the summer, we love jumping in the lake, cruising on a boat, or just soaking up the sun on the beach. When winter comes around, we love taking our golden retriever for hikes in the snow at the various Ottawa County parks. We also love downhill skiing, sledding, and playing platform tennis together.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

One of my favorite things to do is canning with my mom and boys. From strawberry jam to bread and butter pickles, from salsa to mustard, we enjoy the deliciousness all year long!