2024 YNPN.GR Leadership & Recognition Awards

Gabby Dunai is an education specialist and parent coach at Vibrant Futures providing an evidence-based curriculum, resource navigation, and support to low-income families in Kent County. With over a decade of experience working in the early childhood field, she understands the importance of high-quality early childhood education to a child’s future success. Gabby is also a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence- experiences that have shaped her into a passionate advocate. As a survivor, she is dedicated to empowering the voices of her fellow survivors and advocating for systemic changes. In 2023, Gabby advocated for the passing of Senate Bills 471 and 472, and House Bill 4945, which prohibits the use of firearms by those convicted of domestic violence. Gabby also believes in the power of amplifying often underrepresented voices and that is encapsulated in her community involvement in organizations such as Resilience’s Survivor Advisory Council, Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, MDHHS Social Determinants of Health Community Influencer program, the United States Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council, and The Kent County Domestic Violence Action Network.

Leslie Young-Martin has been with The Wege Foundation since 2016 and is a proud native of Grand Rapids, MI. She began her educational journey in the Grand Rapids Public Schools and later attended Grand Rapids Community College. Leslie furthered her studies at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications. Currently, she is concluding her master’s degree in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership at GVSU. Leslie is committed to being a lifelong learner and seeks opportunities to deepen her understanding of both philanthropy and community development.

Jon Roberts is the Development Director at Community Food Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit development, Jon is dedicated to creating connections that drive positive social change. He is passionate about making healthy food accessible, from a background that included being food insecure. Jon is the Chair of the Grand Rapids Young Life Board and a board member of 616 service, where they mobilize people to volunteer. Outside of work, Jon enjoys family time with his wife, Natalie and 3 kids, trout fishing, and exploring creative ways to serve his community.

Stacy Bare believes Grand Rapids can be a global outdoor destination by growing a great Parks and Recreation system to world class. He believes neighbors should have a role in the leadership and decision making to get there and that the outdoors are truly for all! His work in partnership with community and city as the Executive Director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks led to a $5 million federal grant for planting trees and restoring habitat in parks. He is also leading a plan to get 90% of residents within 10 blocks of a natural surface trail. Stacy is a family man, loves playing in the water and mountain biking and is a US Army veteran.

Cyle Blitstein, a versatile member of Family Futures, serves the community as the Partnership and Events Coordinator. Coming from a diverse career path, he strives to connect and improve the community he now belongs to. Cyle has piloted and propelled a Changing and Nursing Station, removing barriers for families attending events. He has crafted space to be inclusive, safe, and accessible for all. He belongs to the Latino Community Coalition and the Dads Count Coalition, allowing space for every voice within the early childhood realm. Outside of work, he is busy planning his upcoming December wedding to his best friend.

Iryonna Davis has a heart for working with youth and young adults to help them discover, visualize, and achieve their goals. She specializes in the areas of minority empowerment, career development, and financial literacy. Iryonna is familiar with the systemic barriers in housing and is now using that experience to help others navigate the pathway to sustainable housing In 2017, Davis founded Meaning In Colors (https://meaningincolors.org/), a non-profit devoted to assisting youth and young adults in breaking down barriers and obtaining resources for education, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. The organization offers a variety of mentoring, community outreach, transitional housing, life coaching, youth development, and more. To date they have served over 3,000 families. When not assisting other families, Iryonna can be found spending time with her husband and children. Iryonna earned a Criminal Justice degree from Siena Heights University, also earned many awards for her work with the community. She is most proud of being a woman of God and helping people understand their Worth.

Oscar Ubillus has been a driving force at the Community Food Club for the last seven years, leading with a strong commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for every shopper, volunteer, and staff member that walks through the Food Club doors. As Grocery Manager, Oscar has expanded the store’s offerings to include culturally relevant food options ensuring that members have an exceptional and dignified shopping experience every time they visit. Oscar’s dedication and innovative thinking have transformed the Food Club’s operations and played a pivotal role in supporting the organization’s growth from serving 900 households a month in 2017 to 1,900 families a month in 2024. His efforts have made a lasting impact on the Community Food Club, ensuring that the organization’s services are not only equitable but also reflect the diverse needs of the community it serves.

Sommer has had the privilege of serving the community for the last 15 years in various capacities including: a teacher, training manager, director of education, and DEI consultant. She currently sits on the board for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and participates in the advisory committee for the GRCC Lab Preschool. She recently graduated with her doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership which she hopes to utilize to continue creating positive and ever lasting impact in her community through her new role at the Grand Rapids Chamber!

Ali switched careers to be more intentionally involved and engaged with his community and culture. He found his niche working directly with community members on how to advocate for themselves through programs focused on mental and physical wellness, the arts and leadership skill building. The work he is involved with is intentional, inclusive, authentic and action oriented. He is currently the steward of Building Leaders, Building Communities, a program that connects individuals through workshops for all levels of concerned citizens looking to grow their skills, networks, and experiences in order to be an agent for positive community action.

Jes Kramer has a knack for doing the math for artists. In her current role as CFO at Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities, she helps guide the organization in its mission to build environments of curiosity and creativity with our neighbors to cultivate inclusion and justice. Initially getting involved as a volunteer for one of GAAH’s programs, Girls Rock! Grand Rapids, Kramer has loved finding ways to push finance work toward more equitable and transparent practices while on staff. Kramer currently serves as treasurer for the Fulton Street Farmers Market and performs music around the state as a one-woman band.

As Co-Founder and VP of Culture and Operations at Beyond the City, Janine Thomas has been instrumental in developing programming that nurtures the aspirations of BIPOC youth, exploring the diversity within their culture and their own excellence through travel. She is a first-place winner of Michigan Women Forward’s WomanUp & Pitch and 5 x 5 Night using her firm, Three 19 Collective to equip entrepreneurs and nonprofits with tech-driven strategies that advance our community and amplify the voices of other BIPOC leaders. Outside of work, Janine finds joy in discovering new people and places, using her passion for travel to fuel her creativity.

Santiago Gayton brings over a decade of experience where he served underrepresented students in higher education building communities, and helping individuals navigate complex systems. He holds is B.A in Political Science, and his M.A. in Educational Administration and Leadership. He currently serves at Steepletown as the Operations Director assisting the organization in reaching their goals and developing processes and procedures. Santiago brings a unique mix of process expertise with an innate curiosity to learn from the community. He has lived in Grand Rapids for over 12 years and is originally from Saginaw, MI.

As the President & CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County, Leah is dedicated to providing trauma-informed support and justice for child victims of sexual assault. An Army veteran and former police officer, Leah has spent a career in service to others. She is also a licensed therapist and holds a Juris Doctor degree, bringing a unique multidisciplinary perspective to her leadership. Leah has created a strategic trajectory for the Center, leading to enhanced services. Her commitment to advocacy and justice reflects her diverse expertise and dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.

Javier Cervantes currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer/Director of Operations + Human Resources (COO) at The Diatribe Inc. He oversees internal functions, which include aligning organizational strategy across programs, policy/procedures, and affiliate partnerships with communications and fundraising efforts. In addition, he also leads the Human Resources department. His work is focused on closing gaps to achieve equity for all and strengthening the organization to achieve impact in our communities. During his 15-year career in West Michigan, Javier has held various roles, from afterschool programming and community engagement to communications, marketing, public/media relations, and currently, organizational leadership + operations/finance. Javier is passionate about creative writing and public speaking in various community settings. His goal is to one day use his skill set to be a spoken word artist and inspire others to use their voice as a tool to be a change agent in spaces not made for BIPOC/Queer individuals.

Jazz (they/them) is a Black, Indigenous Two-Spirit individual who is a facilitator of social justice, public speaker, and change agent for liberation. A firm believer in the power of relationships to bring justice to inequitable organizations, Jazz leads with authenticity, a listening ear, creativity, and truth telling. They are an advocate of racial and disability justice especially within the 2-SLGBTQ+ community, with a commitment to highlighting the importance of education, awareness, and engagement to create change. Jazz is currently the Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center and Co-owner/Principal Consultant of Paradigm Shifts Consulting.

Grand Rapids Professional Women for Good is a Giving Circle that donates money into one fund with the purpose of supporting our local nonprofit organizations (5013c) here in Grand Rapids. We have a membership where quarterly we each give a suggested $100 through a platform that has been set up and is managed by a founding organization called Grapevine. They are accountable to accept the money, confirm that the non-profit organizations are legally set up and they send our donations directly to the nonprofits that we select. Through a nominating and voting process from our members, we hear the incredible stories of nonprofits meeting needs in West Michigan. We gather quarterly and select how to distribute or grant those funds. To date we have distributed over $60,000 in our first Two years. Grand Rapids Professional Women for Good | Impact | Grapevine. If you would like to know more about us, you can go to our platform. https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/doWhb5P/Grand-Rapids-Professional-Women-for-Good If you are a woman that would like to participate in making friends and influence our city, please contact us. We have women of all ages who are networking professionally and mentoring careers. You can also give directly to us as a guest without becoming a member and know that you do not have to be a woman to donate. You can trust that we will distribute all the dollars that you give to our local area. If you would like to understand the facts about Grapevine and how they accept donations for our communities; FAQ | Grapevine

St. Gianna’s No Cost Baby Boutique is committed to providing our community with a comprehensive center of support. We offer essential items for infants and toddlers including formula, diapers, bottles, wipes as well as support for pregnant mothers including maternity clothing and pregnancy counseling. With the goal of removing the barriers that complicate access to resources in times of crisis, we provide these essentials at no cost to the families we serve. These resources include baby food, formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, baby layettes and clothing. Gianna’s also acts as a principal connection point for families in need of other social services. When a parent or guardian is referred to Gianna’s, a simple yet comprehensive intake is completed to ascertain their needs. In this way, individuals who may approach us for baby items are immediately able to access other support services. Lastly, St. Gianna’s offers classes proven to educate parents on critical topics related to child safety. Since opening in October 2023, Gianna’s has registered 1,090 individual families, and facilitated 3,440 family visits and 5,539 child visits. St. Gianna’s is proud to serve as a safe and welcoming space for families across Grand Rapids.

Standing Stronger Together was incorporated in March of 2023 by three retired officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department. These three officers were involved in many traumatic events throughout their careers. Each of them, suffering from symptoms of PTSD in relation to their events, sought out treatments and programs to relieve their symptoms. One central resource throughout their recovery was Gina Essex, MA LPC, a local Complex Trauma Therapist dedicated to working with First Responders and Veterans. Together, the 3 officers and Gina are working together to create a network of clinically informed Lead Peer Volunteers and Culturally Competent Clinicians as a way to more effectively address, educate, and support local First Responders, Veterans, their families and Departments. Our first goal of conducting three Lead Peer trainings and one Clinician training by the end of 2025 is aimed to shatter the stigma associated with symptoms of traumatic stress and help to create a growing and healing community where individuals are empowered to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing by standing stronger together.

KSSN is a nonprofit organization that implements the community school model in 46 schools across 6 districts in Kent County. Using public schools as hubs, community schools bring together partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities. Our Community School Coordinators serve as the connectors between the students, families, the school, and the community, and provide a seamless delivery of services and supports.

Henry Sapp, a Grand Rapids native, is a husband, father, and grandfather who graduated from Ottawa Hills High School. Though he didn’t attend college, Henry values his “degree in hard work and experience.” He is a full-time DTE Energy employee, global Christian comedian, CEO of BWS Inc., Kellogg Foundation Fellow, and We Matter Now Initiative partner. His non-profit, Better, Wiser, Stronger Inc., founded in 2013, mentors young men, teaching life skills through reading programs, feeding families, and providing resources. Henry believes, “Where there is true passion, there will be results,” and his work has impacted thousands of families.

Since 1996, Catherine’s Health Center has provided access to high quality, affordable, and compassionate health care to all. Through a culture of team-based care and no missed opportunities, Catherine’s works toward the vision of a thriving community free of health inequities. Catherine’s continues to expand services and scope by offering integrated and comprehensive primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services across 12 different sites. At Catherine’s, the community is the patient, and Catherine’s works with trusted partners to provide care to people where and when they need it, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Arick Davis is a passionate advocate for sustainable, inclusive economies. As a dynamic leader in the People First Economy movement, he has dedicated his career to fostering businesses that prioritize community, equity, and environmental responsibility. In addition to Arick’s long track record of nonprofit service, he and his wife Sarah Laman founded the well-known small business, Last Mile Cafe. Arick’s innovative approach to economic growth focuses on creating lasting, positive impact through collaboration and ethical practices. His vision and commitment inspire others to build a better, more equitable world for future generations.

Tania Jaczkowski serves as the Executive Director of Humane Society of West Michigan, where she has worked in various capacities for the past 13 years. From her first role as an animal care technician, to her current role as ED, Tania has always highly valued continuing education and collaboration and, as a result, HSWM has expanded its services, improved community outreach, and developed innovative programs aimed at enhancing the lives of both animals and people in the region. Outside of work, Tania spends her time reading, watching football, being a mom to her 4 year-old daughter, and spending time with her two and four legged family members.

DeAndrea “Dee Dee” Taylor is a passionate advocate for justice reform and healing. Shaped by her experiences as the daughter of an incarcerated parent and the eldest sister of Breonna Taylor who was tragically shot and killed by Louisville, Kentucky law enforcement. She transformed her grief into purpose by founding Taylor Made Re-Entry, a non-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of recidivism and empowering those who are justice impacted. With degrees in criminal justice and social work with a minor in psychology, Dee Dee develops comprehensive programs that provide essential support for successful reintegration. Additionally, her national initiative, H.E.A.L. (Helping, Eradicate, Adverse, Law -enforcement), addresses the deep-rooted impact of unjust policing in communities of color, ensuring her sister’s legacy fuels a movement for healing, accountability and transformative change. Dee Dee dedication to healing and reform drives her work, helping individuals and communities rebuild with hope and dignity.