Board & Committees

Board of Directors

Tammy Karas, Co-Chair | United Bank of Michigan

Christine Lindeman, Co-Chair | Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation

Pablo Garcia | SECOM Resource Center

Seth Getz | Business Mastery

Gary Glass | Silver Lining Computer Services

Kyama Kitavi | Independent Consultant

Gricelda Mata | Lindo Mexico

Kaylee Moreno Burke | West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Samuel Sedlecky | Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Hanna Schulze | Globe Design & Vision

Daniel VanderMolen | First Steps Kent

Committees

Local First Program Committee

The Local First Program Committee serves to extend the reach of the People First Economy’s Local First program and provide meaningful opportunities to its members. Committee members do this through outreach, events, and advocacy.

Members include (left to right): 

  • Scott Urbanowski | Humanoid Digital
  • Daniel Chase | re.dwell
  • Ryan Huizenga | Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
  • Anne DiVitto | Word Out Influence

Interested in participating in the Local First Program Committee? Apply here(Please Note: Applications are reviewed annually in the Fall).

Contact the Local First Program Committee. 

B Local Committee

People First Economy’s Good For Michigan program is Michigan’s designated B Local! B Locals are place-based communities of people using business as a force for good. B Locals exist to create connections, increase the positive impact of their B Corp community, and raise awareness of the B Economy. 

Committee members:

  • Assist with the growth of and retention of Michigan’s B Corp community and stakeholder/ advocates for using business as a force for good. 
  • Work collaboratively with PFE team, B Lab and the U.S/Canada B Local community to effectively resource, engage, educate and celebrate Michigan’s B Corp community.

Learn more about B Local communities in the United States and Canada here.

  • Alice Jasper | Chair of Good For Michigan & Local First West Michigan | Sustainable Business Program Manager of People First Economy
  • Kyama Kitavi | EDI Lead of Good For Michigan
  • Jenn Reed | Special Projects Manager of Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
  • Caroline Horste | Project Manager, Marketing Technology, Brand and Marketing Strategy, Strategic Planning of Create Boundless Impact
  • Ben Dueweke | Advisory Member of Good For Michigan | Director of Community Partnerships of Walker-Miller Energy Services
  • Arick Davis | Co-Chair of Good For Michigan | Impact Manager of People First Economy
  • Nick Beadleston | Learning Lead of Good For Michigan | Commonplace Coworking Executive Director 
  • Hannah Jablonski | Catalyst Partners of Accounting & Human Resources Manager
  • Katie Carano | Growth Chair of Good For Michigan | Head of Operations of HigherRing
  • Misty Gibbons | Senior Outreach Manager of Walker-Miller Energy Services
  • Kyle Martin | Project Management, Organizational & Leadership, Development & Coaching, Curriculum Development, Workshop Facilitation of Create Boundless Impact
  • Andre Mello | Director of Marketing and Growth of Regroup

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Katherine Jandernoa

Katherine (she/her) comes to West Michigan from the East Coast and brings over a decade of experience in local food systems and sustainability. Prior to joining Local First, Katherine was the co-founder, program director of Food Connects in Vermont, a nonprofit that works to increase access to healthy, local foods within Vermont’s schools. Jandernoa earned her master’s of arts in sustainable development from the SIT Graduate Institute and her bachelor of arts in international affairs from The George Washington University. Having lived in large urban centers, (Boston, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.), and small rural communities in Massachusetts and Vermont, Katherine loves all that West Michigan has to offer and is thrilled to call Grand Rapids home.

When not at the office, you might find Katherine at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, one of our many local restaurants, or exploring Blandford Nature Center and Wilcox Park with her sons.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Mieke Stoub

Mieke (Mee-ka, she/her) is a storyteller, community builder, and daughter to self-employed parents. She has a background in nonprofit marketing and visual communications. In 2014, she started volunteering with the Local First program and fell in love with the mission, the people, and the work culture. Two years later, when the opportunity to tell the People First story full-time arose, she had to take it. Mieke is inspired by the ways Michigan businesses collaborate and loves to brag about the rad things they’re up to. She also loves hiking, backpacking, cooking, mountain biking, moto riding, laughing, dancing, and almost anything if it’s outdoors. If you’re unsure of how to say her name, she also answers to Meeks, Red Dawn, Biker Babe, and Dutch Strong Arm. Give her a trail recommendation or a new recipe next time you see her!

When not at the office, you might find Mieke at: The Cheese Lady, Fulton Street Farmers Market, Rebel, Rock Paper Scissors, in the woods, or on the road.