Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2022

What I do at First Steps Kent:

Lead the FSK team in our work toward a Kent County where community participation ensures whole child well-being from birth to kindergarten.

I do this work because:

I believe in the power of collective voices to combat inequities within systems that have barriers to quality healthcare, childcare, and education.

When the day is done I:

Enjoy being with my family, walking trails with our dog, traveling, and gardening.

My favorite thing about my job is:

Collaborating with others to create and sustain systems that positively impact health and educational outcomes for families.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Looking up at the stars with my brother and wondering what the surface of the moon looked like!

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2019

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I provide status of First Steps Kent’s financial condition, prepare and analyze the monthly budget and oversee budgeting and monthly financial forecasting for all millage related contracts/activities.

I do this work because:

I want to contribute and support with my job the life of young children in our community.

When the day is done I:

Go home with my daughters, cook dinner and enjoy time with them.

My favorite local hangout is:

I like to hangout in downtown Grand Rapids, walk around, go to the different restaurants, bars and coffee shops. I enjoy all the activities/events the city offers all year around.

My favorite thing about my job is:

Work environment/organization culture.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Family vacations and Christmas time.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2023

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I am a project coordinator for Mainspring Early Care Alliance and Family Child Care Network.

I do this work because::

I like building relationships with child care business owners and entrepreneurs.

When the day is done I::

Enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

My favorite local business is::

Schnitz Deli

My favorite thing about my job is::

Helping with language services.

My favorite childhood memory is::

Visiting my family in Puerto Rico.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2024

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I am a funding administrator for Ready by Five.

I do this work because:

I enjoy helping my community and reducing the barriers that impact marginalized populations.

When the day is done I:

Take my dog for a walk or bake.

My favorite local business is:

My favorite local business is Seven Mares Restaurant. Some of the best Mexican food in GR.

My favorite thing about my job is:

My favorite thing about working at First Steps Kent is being able to collaborate with other organizations and work together to impact the lives of children.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Going to Disney World with my family.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2018

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I work to provide a wide range of operations support, including HR, finance, administrative, and Board of Commissioners support.

I do this work because:

I enjoy moving at a fast pace, and having new challenges each and every day!

When the day is done I:

Like to take my dog for a walk, and relax with my husband!

My favorite local restaurant is:

Westside Social.

My favorite thing about my job is:

The people I have the privilege to work with each and every day.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Playing outside all day in the summertime. My mom would make all of the neighborhood kids lunch and we would sit on my mini picnic table on the front porch all together and then go right back to playing! Not a worry in the world!

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2019

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I work with early care providers in Kent County to develop a Shared Services model that will support and provide additional resources for their child care business .

I do this work because:

I have a passion for teaching, encouraging, strengthening, and collaborating with those that care for young children.

When the day is done I:

Am greeted with excessive love and energy from my dog Aine when I get home!

My favorite local restaurant is:

Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop.

My favorite thing about my job is:

Looking for innovative ways to support early care and education providers throughout Kent County!

My favorite childhood memory is:

Camping with friends and family.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2019

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I write success stories, create visuals, and ultimately spread the word of the important work happening around children and families in Kent County.

I do this work because:

I love non-profit communications and have three young children. I believe that investing in our youngest kids is going to make the biggest impact on our future.

When the day is done I:

Spend time with my family and friends.

My favorite local hangout is:

Brewery Vivant.

My favorite thing about my job is:

The variety – always a new exciting project to work on.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Camping trips with my family.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2019

What I do at First Steps Kent:

I am excited to lead a new team dedicated to enhancing our organization’s internal operations and our ability to effectively support the needs of families and children in our community. We aim to make a meaningful impact and contribute thoughtfully to the well-being of those we serve.

I do this work because:

I am passionate about leveraging my talents to enhance organizational capacity and empower internal and external stakeholders to do their best work.

When the day is done I:

Enjoy relaxing at home with my partner and our two dogs, cooking dinner, and unwinding with a meditation.

My favorite local business is:

Nestology Shop and Studio!

My favorite thing about my job is:

Designing and implementing effective solutions.

My favorite childhood memory is:

I can’t remember the song! It was definitely during a summer in the 1980s, and my brothers and I were doing choreography in the front lawn of our childhood home. I remember we used the large front window as a mirror. We called our group, The 3 Ts!

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2024

What I do at First Steps Kent:

As a data specialist, I analyze and interpret data to maintain accuracy and provide valuable insights that inform decision-making and drive business strategies.

I do this work because:

I am passionate about uncovering meaningful trends in data that help organizations make informed decisions and achieve their goals.

When the day is done I:

I enjoy relaxing walks at Blandford Trail Center with my dog Kylo or spending time with friends online.

My favorite local business is:

My father's own business, AC Lawn Care Services, for all your lawncare needs!

My favorite thing about my job is:

The opportunity to work with data and contribute to the success of our organization by providing valuable insights.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Playing outside making mud pies, not much has changed!

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2020

What I do at First Steps Kent:

As the Director of Policy and Grants at First Steps Kent, I focus on reviewing and incorporating local and national policies into our mission to enhance early childhood systems in Kent County. By supporting parent leadership and identifying funding opportunities, I work with the Impact team to advance policies and initiatives that improve outcomes for children and families.

I do this work because:

In the words of the late, great Whitney Houston, “I believe the children are our future.”

When the day is done I:

Relax with my family, work on a side project, watch House Hunters International and convince myself that I totally COULD drop everything and move to New Zealand to pursue my dream of becoming a Hobbiton tour guide, and (if time allows) read something not backlit by blue light before I go to bed.

My favorite local business is:

Schuler Books. We try to get there weekly so my wife and I can drink coffee while our kids pick out a book!

My favorite thing about my job is:

Getting to work with an amazing team and network of community partners in the pursuit of real, tangible change for our community.

My favorite childhood memory is:

Going to baseball games at old Tiger Stadium.

Year I joined First Steps Kent:

2023

What I do at First Steps Kent:

Ready by Five Funding Administrator

I do this work because:

I am passionate about helping our community receive equitable educational services and opportunities.

When the day is done I:

I enjoy gardening, and mountain biking.

My favorite local business is:

Garza Potting Shed for their organic grown fruits, vegetables, and native Michigan plants to increase pollinator populations in our area.

My favorite thing about my job is:

My favorite thing about working at First Steps Kent is knowing that I can have a direct impact on services offered in the community.

My favorite childhood memory is:

A childhood memory that brings joy to me is thinking back on going fishing with my grandfather in the mountains.