First Step Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Elaine Tingle, Bridgewater Interiors

VICE PRESIDENT

Genelle Allen, Esq., COO, Office of Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans

SECRETARY

Heidi Naasko, Pro Bono and Diversity Counsel, Dykema Gossett

TREASURER

June Nicholas, HR Works, LLC

PAST PRESIDENT

Jennifer Hartke, Attorney, Lakeshore Legal Aid

MEMBER AT LARGE

Kathleen Cronin, Philanthropist

MEMBERS

  • Patrice Alexander
  • Diane Allen, Retired
  • Beckie Christensen, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  • Asandi Conner, Say It Write & Wayne State University
  • Katherine Fuller, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC 2021
  • Jeffrey Gielniak, AVP, Facilities, Planning, Design, & Construction
    WVU Medicine
  • Nancy Garon, Retired
  • Vonda Grant, Grant Wealth Management Group of Raymond James
  • Samantha Martens, Ford Motor Company
  • Carla O’Malley, Autism Alliance
  • Karen Wilson Smithbauer, President, Karen Colina Wilson Foundation

First Step Directors

  • Lori Kitchen-Buschel, Executive Director
  • Theresa Bizoe, Director of Philanthropy and Capital Projects
  • Ilene Hogan, Director of Operations
  • Diana McDonald, Director of Employee Relations
  • Julie Meier, Director of Finance
  • Wanda Merriweather, Director of Programs