Events

Deb Scola is the Vice President, Strategic Relationships with the Michigan Humane Society. The Michigan Humane, founded in 1877, is the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state. Michigan Humane is dedicated to helping the animals of southeastern Michigan, whether in our shelters, our veterinary clinics, or out in the community. Before joining the Michigan Humane Society, Deb was the Community Engagement Director of Michigan.Com, helping connect communities and marketers. Deb was also the Administrative Manager for the Detroit Free Press. 

Updates from our very own member, Charles Wickens. 

Dan Dingman – 1998 MSU Grad – Turfgrass Management. 34 years of experience working on golf courses. Been a Golf Course Superintendent for 18 years – Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club 2007-2011 and BCC since 2011. Served as President of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association in 2018. Dan currently serves on the Golf Association of Michigan Green Section Committee. He has been married to his wife Angela for 16 years and has two sons, Tyler, 15, and Will, 12.

Ryan Mertz is an experienced professional in the camping services industry, having worked in various roles at YMCA camps in Michigan. With a background in Sport & Recreation Management and Business Management from Lake Superior State University, Ryan currently holds the position of Director of YMCA Camping Services at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, overseeing Camps Ohiyesa & Nissokone. Before this role, Ryan served as Executive Director and Camp Director at YMCA Camp Nissokone and held the position of Program Manager at YMCA of Saginaw- Camp Timbers. Ryan's expertise and dedication have significantly impacted the camping community. Ryan Mertz is the YMCA Camp's Executive Director 

Nicole Lawson is President and CEO of Orchards Children's Service. She is also a fellow Rotarian. 

Nicole has worked to improve behavioral health in Oakland County, where she served as Clinical Analyst and Director and later as the Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Oakland Community Health Network.

Most recently, Nicole served as the National Director of Behavioral Health for Valor Healthcare overseeing 50 primary care clinics in 16 states, serving over 150,000 veterans. At Valor Healthcare, she also served as Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. Nicole demonstrates strong leadership skills and excels at strategic planning and implementation, operational excellence, team leadership and development, and vision setting.

“Orchards’ mission is very personal to me. My husband and I were foster parents and are adoptive parents to two children. I am humbled to join such a dynamic agency,” Nicole says. “I’m excited to meet with staff and supporters and become part of such a dedicated and caring team.”

MAKENZIE LARSON

Founder & CEO, Director of Movement & Functional Medicine
Makenzie, MS, LAT, ATC, FAAFM, is a certified and licensed athletic trainer in Michigan and Florida. She received her Master of Science in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Applied and Ethics-Based, and a Minor in Biomedical Sciences from Western Michigan University. She was also a Division 1 soccer goalkeeper, captain, and Bronco Award winner for selfless leadership.

While at UVA, Makenzie worked with the 7-time national championship Men’s Soccer Program and completed her thesis on wearable technology, specifically how to use internal and external load monitoring for injury prevention, return to activity, and performance. She also studied in the clinic and operating rooms for UVA Orthopedic Surgery.

Web Site: https://www.roremethod.com/

Come join us for a casual get together.

We will not have our regularly scheduled meeting.

Join us for a get together at Brown Iron Brewery in Royal Oak-30955 Woodward Ave Ste 510, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

We have this "Tweener" as a holiday tradition while we do not meet at our regular weekly meeting over the long holiday.

Sharon McRill is the owner and president of The Betty Brigade, a relocation and organization company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her mission is to help people live more organized and less stressful lives. Laid off from a corporate marketing job in 2003, McRill turned the setback into an opportunity. As a busy professional, she wanted to help other busy people get organized and stay that way. She’s been doing so successfully since Spring of 2003. Visit www.bettybrigade.com for more information. Sharon has published her book "Downsizing the Silver Tsunami: Who to Call and Where Does the Stuff Go," and she will have copies available. She's also appeared as an expert guest on national television. 

Ryan Webb lives in Metro Detroit, where he was born and raised, with his wife and two sons. He earned his bachelor of arts in communication and business administration from Alma College and his master of business administration from the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. His day job is as a marketer for the same Fortune 100 company he’s been with for almost 25 years, and he is elated to have also just published his first novel, Saving Will.

Gretchen Abrams joined Detroit Bird Alliance as executive director in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in environmental education and 15 years of management experience at local, national, and international nonprofits.  Gretchen has a proven record of creating and growing programs that benefit physical and mental well-being and nurture future advocates, conservationists, and stewards of birds and the environment we share. With 85 years of history the Detroit Bird Alliance is dedicated to making Detroit and our region a better place for birds and people.

Karen Kline has long been engaged with the care and support of older adults as a nursing home administrator, passionate volunteer, and caregiver to her mother. Karen’s mother, Judy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010 and died of the disease in 2017. In honor of her mother, Karen provides community support and education through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Join us for an informative and topical overview of the Alzheimer's Association's offerings. From Care Consultation to Social Engagement programs, the array of support and program opportunities provides much-needed support and comfort. On a much broader basis, the mission focuses on ending Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. PDF for list of services here. 

Co-founder Bradley Perkins is a retired educator passionate about leading and seeking ways to improve the communities he serves.  He is a devoted father, foster parent, and grandparent, and sees the face of good in all individuals.  He possesses an education degree and a master's in educational leadership.  He has served on the board of Orchards Children's Services and volunteers at his local church serving meals.  He has worked as a childcare professional, classroom teacher, coach, and building-level school administrator.  The mission of One Love One Family is shared by his wife of 33 years, who desires to love and serve one's neighbors by creating an interdependent community and family.

Learn more at https://oneloveonefamily.org/

Meet JoJo Dries, Founder of On the Wings of Angels. JoJo is an Author, Speaker, and all-around inspiring human being. Her book, The Lotus: How I Beat the Patriarchy, is a gripping and relatable account of how she removed herself from a toxic home environment.

JoJo is a nationally sought-after speaker who brings her empowering message to nationwide audiences. She founded On the Wings of Angels Nonprofit to serve humans across the spectrum who desire to remove themselves from toxic and abusive situations and need direction, resources, community, and support.

JoJo firmly believes she would not currently be living the personal and professional life of her dreams without the many people who rallied around her when she needed it most, and On the Wings of Angels does just that for others.

JoJo married the love of her life, Paul Dries, after being torn apart from him by abusive and toxic environments, and they now live happily and deeply in love. They adore and cherish their two incredible sons and their adorable rescue dog.

Annual Masters Raffle Party

SCORE is focused on helping small business owners start, grow, or successfully exit a business—small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. SCORE volunteers come from multiple industries and backgrounds to leverage their experience and expertise for a new generation of entrepreneurs and business people. Mike Marchand is a proud veteran, a former Army Corps Engineer, and a retired Michelin Director.  Besides being a proud Dad and Husband, he is a SCORE business mentor with a background in architecture, engineering, business consulting, and transportation. His areas of expertise include business planning and structure, management operations, marketing and strategy, sales, and overall strategic planning. Visit SCORE here: https://www.score.org/

Carmen Szurpicki, Director of Philanthropy

Carmen Szurpicki joined the Pope Francis Center team in September 2023 and currently serves as the Director of Philanthropy. A metro-Detroit native, Carmen has worked in the nonprofit fundraising field for 20 years, including roles at Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, Michigan Women Forward, and The Children’s Center of Wayne County. Carmen’s experience developing and implementing a wide range of fundraising strategies, in partnership with her expertise in relationship-based philanthropy, allows her to lead the PFC Philanthropy Team to create innovative, intentional, and strategic approaches to raise support while keeping the donor at the forefront. Carmen is focused on strategic planning to ensure immediate goals are met while creating systems and structures to support a sustainable fundraising program in the future. Carmen’s passion for social justice issues began at an early age and has been the driving force in her life and career, leading her to PFC, where her enthusiasm for ending chronic homelessness in Detroit is being put to work. Carmen is most passionate about helping people and is grateful that in her role at PFC, she can support a wide range of people, including guests experiencing homelessness through services we provide, donors, and supporters by inviting them to join us on this vital work and helping them fulfill their philanthropic goals, and through empowering a team to work hard to make a meaningful difference.

Carmen holds a Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Management from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication from Michigan State University. 

Marc is a senior partner with The Nakisher Law Firm, PLLC. He concentrates his practice in estate planning. Marc specializes in helping clients balance their planning goals with their desire to minimize gift and estate taxes. In addition to drafting basic Wills, Revocable Trusts and Powers of Attorney, he also counsels clients on issues of family planning, guardianship/conservatorship and wealth preservation.
 
His practice includes guiding clients through the probate process, business planning, creating family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies, and assisting families with special needs children. Marc also advises clients on elder law issues, including Medicaid asset planning, substituted decision-making, health care, and quality of life issues for the elderly.

https://www.thinkestate.com/

Dawn is an account executive at ATA Title Company. While title insurance is often only considered when buying and selling a home, it plays a vital role in every real estate transaction. This is especially true in today's environment, where criminals continue to find creative ways to exploit weaknesses in systems and leverage a general lack of understanding. Dawn has over 15 years of experience in the title industry, where she facilitates the smooth transfer of ownership and ensures the integrity of each transaction.