Board Members

Co-chairs

Gretchen DeVault, Founder and Co-owner, DVQ Studio: Gretchen DeVault is founder and co-owner of DVQ Studio, a full-service communications shop that works exclusively with nonprofits and businesses with a social purpose. Before starting DVQ Studio in 2006, Gretchen DeVault served as Communications Director at Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails for four years. While there, she helped redevelop the image of Girl Scouting. She earned an Addy Award for a series of public service announcements focusing on teen recruitment. She earned national recognition from Girl Scouts of the USA for her design work on the teen recruitment campaign. In addition to being co-owner of DVQ Studio, Gretchen also writes and performs music with the band the Icicles.

Barbara Anderson, Development, Hospice of Michigan: Barbara Anderson works in Development at Hospice of Michigan where she focuses on Fundraising and Event Planning. Before coming to Hospice of Michigan she worked in development at Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore as well as Dwelling Place. She obtained her Bachelors degree from GVSU with a BA in Advertising/PR and is now exploring Grad School options.  Barbara is proud to have been involved with YNPN in Grand Rapids since its early days on the Steering Committee trying to define its niche and vision for Grand Rapids young, non-profit profit professionals. She presently serves as Networking and Recognition Committee Chair for YNPN as well as the Vendor Coordinator for Celebration on the Grand and as VP of Communication for Sigma Kappa Corporation Board. She thrives on a busy schedule, but enjoys family, friends and travel in her spare time.

Treasurers

Corey Balkon, C.P.A., Manager, Hungerfor, Aldrin, Nichols,and Carter, PC Corey Balkon is a Certified Public Accountant and works for Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter. He has grew up in the West Michigan Area and obtained his Bachelor’s degree from GVSU with a BA in Accounting. Corey currently spends a majority of his time working in the financial area with many different types of exempt organizations. Corey is proud to be involved with YNPN in Grand Rapids as there is so much potential for this young, vibrant, and charismatic group. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends and either attending or coaching sporting events in his spare time.

Steve Jahr, Staff Accountant, Hungerfor, Aldrin, Nichols,and Carter, PC

Secretary/Historian

Monica Lackman Monica is a non-profit strategist who currently serves as Co-Chair of the West Michigan AmeriCorps Collaborative, a network of AmeriCorps members and alumni who work to create synergistic partnerships between AmeriCorps programs and non-profit organizations. For the last 2 years she has worked as an AmeriCorps*VISTA at Bethany Christian Services. Before starting her career with non-profits, Monica earned a dual B.A. from Calvin College in English Literature and International Development Studies, with a minor in Chinese Studies. Her current activities are related to engaging community development in Grand Rapids. Despite an international upbringing (having lived for 6 years in China), she now finds herself appreciating the grass roots atmosphere in Grand Rapids. When she's not busy with philanthropic pursuits, Monica loves good literature, art (creating and admiring), cooking, biking and writing.

Marketing & Communications Committee Chairs

Kevin Lignell, Graduate Assistant, Grand Valley Metro Council Kevin Lignell is a dedicated advocate for nonprofits, working to improve and promote opportunities throughout the sector. After completing a B.S. in Communications at Grand Valley State University, he served for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Kalamazoo. Kevin served as the communications guru at a local nonprofit called the Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative, working to reframe the topic of poverty and build innovate strategies to promote more equitable communities across the region. Following his VISTA service, he enrolled in the M.P.A. program at Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in nonprofit management. Kevin currently works as a Graduate Assitant for the Grand Valley Metro Council, helping to build a communications infrastruture for the regional organization. In his free time, he loves to exercise, play sports, travel, listen to live music, and enjoy all the opportunities Grand Rapids has to offer.

Jenn Schaub, Dwelling Place: For over six years Jenn Schaub has focused her interest on helping creative communities grow. After graduating with a B.F.A. from Grand Valley State University she began working with several grassroots art initiatives. These experiences led her to complete a M.P.A. with an emphasis on nonprofit management also at Grand Valley State University. She is a practicing artist who shows regularly, and works towards providing accessible methods for artists to publicly exhibit work; encouraging artists to develop their professional skills and facilitating relationships that help artists and the public creatively grow communities. In 2005 she began promoting and working with the Avenue for the Arts as a part of the Dwelling Place Neighborhood Revitalization Department in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jenn also serves on the board of the Division Avenue Arts Cooperative and the Heartside Business Association.

Educational Programming Committee Chairs

Shaun Shira, Annual Giving Manager, Grand Valley State University: Shaun Shira is the annual giving manager at Grand Valley State University, overseeing fundraising campaigns for young alumni and faculty/staff giving.  A West Michigan native and graduate of GVSU, he appreciates the enthusiasm and passion of young nonprofit professionals in the greater Grand Rapids area.  He hopes to increase event attendance and participation by creating meaningful networking and educational opportunities for YNPN-GR members. 

Tracy VanSolkema, Fund Development Coordinator, Kids' Food Basket

Resource and Membership Development Co-Chairs

Linda Kiander, Donor Market Specialist, Heart of West Michigan United Way

Shannon Zoet, Assistant Director, Michigan Campus Compact (Michigan Nonprofit Association): Shannon Zoet is an Assistant Director at Michigan Campus Compact, part of the Michigan Nonprofit Association. She supports service-learning and civic engagement initiatives for college students around the state. She started her career in the nonprofit sector as an AmeriCorps*VISTA in 2004. She has B.A. in Communications from Grand Valley State University and a MPA in Nonprofit Management from GVSU.

Development

Bridget Clark Whitney, Executive Director, Kids' Food Basket: Bridget Clark Whitney is executive director of Kids’ Food Basket, a hunger relief organization which provides daily “sack suppers” for food- insecure children in Kent County, Michigan. Drawing volunteers and financial support from all aspects of the Grand Rapids community, KFB provides these suppers at elementary schools where 80 percent of the students live at or below the poverty level. During Ms. Whitney’s tenure in this role, KFB has grown from serving 125 children each weekday in 2002 to 1,700 children in 2009.

Networking and Recognition Co-Chairs

Angie Stumpo, Senior Development Assistant, Van Andel Institute: Angie Stumpo currently serves as the Senior Development Assistant for Van Andel Institute, where she enjoys raising funds for critical cancer and neurodegenerative disease research and science education. She got her start in nonprofit work at the Metro Health Hospital Foundation. Angie holds a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from GVSU, and is currently pursuing an MPA with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management and Leadership also at GVSU. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Kristin Linscott, Director of Endowed and Planned Giving, GVSU - University Development Kristin Linscott currently serves as the Director of Endowed and Planned Giving at Grand Valley State University - University Development. Prior to her current role at GVSU, Kristin served as a legislative staff assistant in the State of Michigan House of Representatives, and then began her career in the nonprofit sector in development at Heart of West Michigan United Way and the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation/Spectrum Health Foundation. She obtained a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 2001 and recently graduated with her M.P.A., with a focus on Nonprofit Leadership and Management, from Grand Valley State University. Kristin is excited and proud to be part of YNPN for she is passionate about helping the organization develop and provide opportunities for young professionals new to and growing in their nonprofit careers. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, coaching sideline/competitive cheerleading, and volunteering her time with various community organizations.

Members-at-Large

Janay Brower, Coordinator, Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness: Janay Brower serves as the Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness in Grand Rapids, MI, a role she has held since 2007. She has a BA in International Relations/Public Policy from James Madison College at Michigan State University. Prior to working with the Coalition, Janay worked for six years at the City of Grand Rapids coordinating a community collaborative focusing on systems change in youth development and after school programming. Janay has served on a number of boards and community groups, and currently serves as President of the Board for the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, on the Heart of West Michigan United Way Income Investment Council and recently joined the Board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

Amanda Meldrum, Grants & Stewardship Coordinator, American Red Cross of West Michigan Amanda Meldrum is the Grants & Stewardship Coordinator for the American Red Cross serving West Michigan. She started in the non-profit sector as an AmeriCorps member, and continues to take every opportunity to better understand non-profits. Amanda holds a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan.

Past Co-Chair (Non-Voting Position)

Tera Wozniak Qualls, Program and Communciations Coordinator, Johnson Center for Philanthropy: Tera Wozniak Qualls is a Program and Communications Coordinator at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.  Tera is also currently serving as a member of the YNPN National Board and chair of the National Voice Committee of the National Board. She has her B.S. from Grand Valley State University in Public and Nonprofit Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management and is currently working on her MPA at Grand Valley in Nonprofit Management.