our board of directors
Doug
Pearce
Board President,
Fund Development Chair
Doug Pearce
Board President, Fund Development Committee Chair
Doug is a scientist and project team leader at Zoetis and has been on the First Day Shoe Fund Board since 2017. When not volunteering for First Day Shoe Fund, he enjoys home improvement projects, traveling, going to the movies, being outdoors and chasing after his pets. He's also a part-time fitness instructor who resides in the Winchell neighborhood with his partner, Zac, and their three dogs, Duncan, Ketchup and Ruby.
"I volunteer with First Day Shoe Fund because I believe it is important to give back to the community. While volunteering at my first shoe distribution, I felt overwhelmed by the emotions of volunteers and kids alike. I observed that when kids receive their new shoes, they become more enthusiastic, talkative, and most importantly, more child-like. To me, this was very eye-opening; being part of it firsthand brings home the impact of basic need fulfillment. I’m proud to be part of this incredible organization that positively affects the lives of so many within Kalamazoo County."
Leatrice Fullerton
Board Member, Program
Leatrice Fullerton
Board of Directors, Program Committee
Leatrice, a Program Manager with Disability Network Southwest Michigan, started volunteering with First Day Shoe Fund during the summer of 2017 as a committee member because she felt a true connection to the mission and vision of the organization. In her professional role, Leatrice is able to assist the agency in furthering its mission of educating and connecting people with disabilities to resources while advocating for social change. She likes that she can bring that same perspective to work on the Board of First Day Shoe Fund.
“When I’m not working or volunteering for several different nonprofit agencies in the area, I love spending time with my family. I have two children who attend Kalamazoo Public Schools. Destiny and Aaron truly motivate me to do my best in all that I do. It is my goal in life to advocate for, and be a positive representation of all of the marginalized groups I am a part of.”
Yolonda Lavender
Board Member, Fund Development
Yolonda Lavender
Board Member, Fund Development Committee
Yolonda is a native of Kalamazoo, an active performing artist, singer/songwriter, and the new Grant Program Manager for the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She is the CEO of Soul Artistry, an arts consulting company, and has been on the board of First Day Shoe Fund since 2015.
"I love the opportunity we have to fulfill a need for students in KPS. When basic needs are met, students can focus on their success."
Ann
Austin
Vice President, Program Chair
Ann Austin
Board Vice President, Program Committee Chair
An active FDSF volunteer since 2008, Ann joined the board in 2018 and quickly accepted leadership roles. She doesn’t like to talk about herself, but she and her husband Mark have been dedicated supporters of First Day Shoe Fund for over ten years. In addition to her board and committee roles, Ann is one of our main shoe buyers and has worked diligently to hunt down new sources for shoes as our retail options have decreased. When she’s not busy with Shoe Fund work, she likes to spend time with her grandchildren.
"Through the outstanding support of this generous community and the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, we are getting closer and closer to achieving our goal of providing new athletic shoes to K through 5th grade students in all 9 districts in
Kalamazoo County. Thanks to everyone for your support - we couldn't do what we do without you!"
Christa
Molter
Board Member, PR/Marketing Chair
Christa Molter
Board Member, PR/Marketing Committee Chair
Christa is an active mom of three, wife of a Tiny House Building Entrepreneur, and Personal & Executive Coach. They love spending time outside as a family, and Christa loves serving her clients and customers for enriching and engaging experiences.
"I volunteer with the FDSF because I believe that each human is only limited in their abilities by their confidence and beliefs in themselves. By serving our younger population to build confidence, to have ‘equal footing’ to others, is a critical step in their development as I think about their personal growth and how one day, they will be contributing members of our community."
Aura Provancher
Board Member, Program
Aura Provancher
Board Member, Program Committee
Aura is a retired school teacher from Kalamazoo Public Schools. Aura was born in Colombia, South America and enjoys traveling with her husband Larry. They have three children together and are very active, working on many causes in Kalamazoo County. As an alumna of both Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, she values education and is so glad she chose teaching as a career.
“One of my favorite stories from volunteering during the shoe distribution came from a little girl who loved the shoes and socks she had been given. ‘I love my new shoes, but I also love running and jumping in mud puddles, walking in the rain, and exploring the woods for baby animals. I will do the things that I love and at the same time, will give my shoes a rest.’ I asked her, ‘How?’ And she said, ‘I will go without shoes sometimes and they will last much longer. While my shoes rest, my feet will work hard.’ The innocence of children and their excitement about new shoes is very touching.”
Christopher Moffat
Secretary
Bio coming soon!
Josie
Richards
Board Member, PR/Marketing
Josie Richards
Board Member, Marketing Committee
Josie is the owner of Josie Joan Creative, a marketing and graphic design company specializing in nonprofits. She also is the Marketing Coordinator for Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo. Passionate about community development, Josie earned her Masters of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Josie joined the First Day Shoe Fund in the summer of 2019.
She lives in the Milwood neighborhood with her husband Nathan. They have a dog named Ohlie and a cat named Flint and are expecting a daughter this fall.
Angie
Rohrer
Board Member, HR Chair
Angie Rohrer
Board Member, HR Committee Chair
Angie works at Stryker Corporation and oversees Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement for the corporation. She works with various Employee Resource Groups, engagement survey, creates training and development programs, and drives D&I across the company. She is married to Owen and they have three wonderful boys that keep them very busy. The boys play hockey, baseball and run cross country and track. Angie is a former college athlete and still runs competitively! With all this activity, she understands the need for good athletic shoes for herself and for kids.
"I am passionate about kids and shoes and this organization pulls those two passions together. I love making a difference in the community while helping a great organization.
I enjoy getting in and working with the kids directly. Seeing their faces and hearing their excitement before they get the shoes and how excited they are after they have gotten them is what fills my bucket. These kids are so grateful and happy to get the shoes we are able to provide them."
Allison Birmingham
Treasurer, Finance Chair
Allison Birmingham
Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Allison is currently a Senior Wealth Management Advisor at Greenleaf Trust. Originally from the east side of the state, Allison earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on corporate finance from Central Michigan University. Allison is a CERTIFIED WEALTH STRATEGIST® practitioner as well as a CERTIFIED COLLEGE PLANNING SPECIALIST®. Allison joined the board in 2017, hoping to make an impact in an area which she shares a strong passion – underprivileged children in our community. When not working or helping with the FDSF, Allison enjoys spending time with her three children and watching them compete in numerous sporting events, and cheering on Michigan football! Go Blue!
Jud
Hoff
Board Member, President Emeritus
Jud Hoff
Board Member, President Emeritus
Jud has served 8 years on the Board of Directors and brings experience from his past as a graduate of West Point Military Academy, a retired Stryker executive, co-owner of the Dome Sports Center and President of the Southwest Michigan Miracle League. He and his wife Darcy have 4 children and their daughter Reagan is the president of the First Day Shoe Fund Youth Board.
Jud volunteers with First Day Shoe Fund because he “vividly remembers the embarrassment of not being able to afford shoes and clothes as a child. I love helping with shoe distribution when the kids believe their shoes can make them run faster or jump higher!”
Edie
Trent
Board Member,
HR
Edie Trent
Board Member, HR Committee
Edie Trent joined the First Day Shoe Fund Board of Directors in 2018 as a liaison / representative for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, where she is employed with the KPS Communications Department. A graduate of the Kalamazoo Public Schools herself, Edie has spent a great deal of her career in public service and education. Her children also attended KPS. She received teaching degrees from both Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University and for a long time worked with Kalamazoo County Head Start families and teachers in our community. Most recently, she worked as the local legislative aide respectively for former State Rep. Sean McCann and subsequently for Representative Jon Hoadley. In this capacity, she helped local residents navigate the bureaucracies of programs offered by state and local agencies.
Edie is an accomplished knitter, loves her flower garden and baking pies, and lavishes an appropriately high level of spoiling upon her five grandchildren.
Andrea Macklin
Executive
Director
Andrea Macklin
Executive Director
Andrea and her husband Connor live in the Edison neighborhood and love being a part of the vibrant, downtown area. She has been at the helm of First Day Shoe Fund since February of this year, but brings years of experience from other Kalamazoo nonprofit partners. When she's not up to her eyebrows in children's shoes, Andrea travels with her husband, volunteers with Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo , and enjoys all that this amazing city has to offer.
"Seeing a child run around the room after finding shoes that fit--that's a game changer. Kids shouldn't have to be focused on basic needs like food, shelter, shoes.... they should be focused on learning and growing into tomorrow's leaders."
Scott
Hunter
Board
Member
Bio coming soon!
Doug
Pearce
President, Fund Development Chair
Doug Pearce
Board President, Fund Development Committee Chair
Doug is a scientist and project team leader at Zoetis and has been on the First Day Shoe Fund Board since 2017. When not volunteering for First Day Shoe Fund, he enjoys home improvement projects, traveling, going to the movies, being outdoors and chasing after his pets. He's also a part-time fitness instructor who resides in the Winchell neighborhood with his partner, Zac, and their three dogs, Duncan, Ketchup and Ruby.
"I volunteer with First Day Shoe Fund because I believe it is important to give back to the community. While volunteering at my first shoe distribution, I felt overwhelmed by the emotions of volunteers and kids alike. I observed that when kids receive their new shoes, they become more enthusiastic, talkative, and most importantly, more child-like. To me, this was very eye-opening; being part of it firsthand brings home the impact of basic need fulfillment. I’m proud to be part of this incredible organization that positively affects the lives of so many within Kalamazoo County."
Allison Birmingham
Treasurer, Finance Chair
Allison Birmingham
Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Allison is currently a Senior Wealth Management Advisor at Greenleaf Trust. Originally from the east side of the state, Allison earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on corporate finance from Central Michigan University. Allison is a CERTIFIED WEALTH STRATEGIST® practitioner as well as a CERTIFIED COLLEGE PLANNING SPECIALIST®. Allison joined the board in 2017, hoping to make an impact in an area which she shares a strong passion – underprivileged children in our community. When not working or helping with the FDSF, Allison enjoys spending time with her three children and watching them compete in numerous sporting events, and cheering on Michigan football! Go Blue!
Leatrice Fullerton
Board Member, Program
Leatrice Fullerton
Board of Directors, Program Committee
Leatrice, a Program Manager with Disability Network Southwest Michigan, started volunteering with First Day Shoe Fund during the summer of 2017 as a committee member because she felt a true connection to the mission and vision of the organization. In her professional role, Leatrice is able to assist the agency in furthering its mission of educating and connecting people with disabilities to resources while advocating for social change. She likes that she can bring that same perspective to work on the Board of First Day Shoe Fund.
“When I’m not working or volunteering for several different nonprofit agencies in the area, I love spending time with my family. I have two children who attend Kalamazoo Public Schools. Destiny and Aaron truly motivate me to do my best in all that I do. It is my goal in life to advocate for, and be a positive representation of all of the marginalized groups I am a part of.”
Yolonda Lavender
Board Member, Fund Development
Yolonda Lavender
Board Member, Fund Development Committee
Yolonda is a native of Kalamazoo, an active performing artist, singer/songwriter, and the new Grant Program Manager for the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She is the CEO of Soul Artistry, an arts consulting company, and has been on the board of First Day Shoe Fund since 2015.
"I love the opportunity we have to fulfill a need for students in KPS. When basic needs are met, students can focus on their success."
Edie
Trent
Board Member,
HR
Edie Trent
Board Member, HR Committee
Edie Trent joined the First Day Shoe Fund Board of Directors in 2018 as a liaison / representative for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, where she is employed with the KPS Communications Department. A graduate of the Kalamazoo Public Schools herself, Edie has spent a great deal of her career in public service and education. Her children also attended KPS. She received teaching degrees from both Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University and for a long time worked with Kalamazoo County Head Start families and teachers in our community. Most recently, she worked as the local legislative aide respectively for former State Rep. Sean McCann and subsequently for Representative Jon Hoadley. In this capacity, she helped local residents navigate the bureaucracies of programs offered by state and local agencies.
Edie is an accomplished knitter, loves her flower garden and baking pies, and lavishes an appropriately high level of spoiling upon her five grandchildren.
Ann
Austin
Board Vice President, Program Chair
Ann Austin
Board Vice President, Program Committee Chair
An active FDSF volunteer since 2008, Ann joined the board in 2018 and quickly accepted leadership roles. She doesn’t like to talk about herself, but she and her husband Mark have been dedicated supporters of First Day Shoe Fund for over ten years. In addition to her board and committee roles, Ann is one of our main shoe buyers and has worked diligently to hunt down new sources for shoes as our retail options have decreased. When she’s not busy with Shoe Fund work, she likes to spend time with her grandchildren.
"Through the outstanding support of this generous community and the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, we are getting closer and closer to achieving our goal of providing new athletic shoes to K through 5th grade students in all 9 districts in
Kalamazoo County. Thanks to everyone for your support - we couldn't do what we do without you!"
Andrea
Macklin
Executive
Director
Andrea Macklin
Executive Director
Andrea and her husband Connor live in the Edison neighborhood and love being a part of the vibrant, downtown area. She has been at the helm of First Day Shoe Fund since February of this year, but brings years of experience from other Kalamazoo nonprofit partners. When she's not up to her eyebrows in children's shoes, Andrea travels with her husband, volunteers with Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo , and enjoys all that this amazing city has to offer.
"Seeing a child run around the room after finding shoes that fit--that's a game changer. Kids shouldn't have to be focused on basic needs like food, shelter, shoes.... they should be focused on learning and growing into tomorrow's leaders."
Christa
Molter
Board Member, PR/Marketing Chair
Christa Molter
Board Member, PR/Marketing Committee Chair
Christa is an active mom of three, wife of a Tiny House Building Entrepreneur, and Personal & Executive Coach. They love spending time outside as a family, and Christa loves serving her clients and customers for enriching and engaging experiences.
"I volunteer with the FDSF because I believe that each human is only limited in their abilities by their confidence and beliefs in themselves. By serving our younger population to build confidence, to have ‘equal footing’ to others, is a critical step in their development as I think about their personal growth and how one day, they will be contributing members of our community."
Aura Provancher
Board Member, Program
Aura Provancher
Board Member, Program Committee
Aura is a retired school teacher from Kalamazoo Public Schools. Aura was born in Colombia, South America and enjoys traveling with her husband Larry. They have three children together and are very active, working on many causes in Kalamazoo County. As an alumna of both Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, she values education and is so glad she chose teaching as a career.
“One of my favorite stories from volunteering during the shoe distribution came from a little girl who loved the shoes and socks she had been given. ‘I love my new shoes, but I also love running and jumping in mud puddles, walking in the rain, and exploring the woods for baby animals. I will do the things that I love and at the same time, will give my shoes a rest.’ I asked her, ‘How?’ And she said, ‘I will go without shoes sometimes and they will last much longer. While my shoes rest, my feet will work hard.’ The innocence of children and their excitement about new shoes is very touching.”
Scott
Hunter
Board
Member
Bio coming soon!
Christopher Moffat
Secretary
Bio coming soon!
Angie
Rohrer
Board Member, HR Chair
Angie Rohrer
Board Member, HR Committee Chair
Angie works at Stryker Corporation and oversees Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement for the corporation. She works with various Employee Resource Groups, engagement survey, creates training and development programs, and drives D&I across the company. She is married to Owen and they have three wonderful boys that keep them very busy. The boys play hockey, baseball and run cross country and track. Angie is a former college athlete and still runs competitively! With all this activity, she understands the need for good athletic shoes for herself and for kids.
"I am passionate about kids and shoes and this organization pulls those two passions together. I love making a difference in the community while helping a great organization.
I enjoy getting in and working with the kids directly. Seeing their faces and hearing their excitement before they get the shoes and how excited they are after they have gotten them is what fills my bucket. These kids are so grateful and happy to get the shoes we are able to provide them."
Jud
Hoff
Board Member, President Emeritus
Jud Hoff
Board Member, President Emeritus
Jud has served 8 years on the Board of Directors and brings experience from his past as a graduate of West Point Military Academy, a retired Stryker executive, co-owner of the Dome Sports Center and President of the Southwest Michigan Miracle League. He and his wife Darcy have 4 children and their daughter Reagan is the president of the First Day Shoe Fund Youth Board.
Jud volunteers with First Day Shoe Fund because he “vividly remembers the embarrassment of not being able to afford shoes and clothes as a child. I love helping with shoe distribution when the kids believe their shoes can make them run faster or jump higher!”
Josie
Richards
Board Member, PR/Marketing
Josie Richards
Board Member, Marketing Committee
Josie is the owner of Josie Joan Creative, a marketing and graphic design company specializing in nonprofits. She also is the Marketing Coordinator for Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo. Passionate about community development, Josie earned her Masters of Pubic Administration from Western Michigan University. Josie joined the First Day Shoe Fund in the summer of 2019.
She lives in the Milwood neighborhood with her husband Nathan. They have a dog named Ohlie and a cat named Flint and are expecting a daughter this fall.
