Meet Our Team
We bring passion and experience to our work, drawing on expertise in a variety of fields, including social science research, organizational development, and adult education.
Trish Abalo
Trish Abalo
Trish Abalo joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 and currently serves as a senior research associate. In this role, she supports data ...
Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.
Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.
Alexandra Akaakar joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she supports data collection, presentation, and ...
Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.
Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.
Kallie Bauer joined the Johnson Center in 2008 and currently serves as a director of strategy and planning. In this role, she is responsible ...
Crisol Beliz
Crisol Beliz
Crisol Beliz joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate. In this role, she supports ...
Emily Brenner, M.P.A.
Emily Brenner, M.P.A.
Emily Brenner joined the Johnson Center in 2018 and currently serves as project manager. In this role, she helps develop and manage ...
Julia Coffman, M.S.
Julia Coffman, M.S.
Julia Coffman, M.S., is the editor-in-chief of The Foundation Review, the Johnson Center’s peer-reviewed journal on ...
Sherry Collver
Sherry Collver
Sherry Collver joined the Johnson Center in 2012 and currently serves as operations assistant. In this role, she supports the executive ...
Julie Couturier, CPA
Julie Couturier, CPA
Julie Couturier joined the Johnson Center in 2006 and currently serves as the director of operations. In this role, she is responsible for ...
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D.
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D.
Elizabeth J. Dale, Ph.D., joined the Johnson Center in September 2024 as the second holder of the Frey Foundation Chair for Family ...
Emily Doebler, M.P.P.
Emily Doebler, M.P.P.
Emily Doebler (she/they) joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate.
Most recently, ...
Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.
Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.
Emily Dorn Jex joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she assists with data acquisition, cleaning, ...
Jana Einfeld
Jana Einfeld
Jana Einfeld joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in May 2023 as office coordinator. In this role, she manages office ...
Brenda Falk, M.H.R.
Brenda Falk, M.H.R.
Brenda Falk joined the Johnson Center in March 2025 as a research manager. Her background includes foundation and nonprofit work, and she ...
Brian Herron
Brian Herron
Brian Herron joined the Johnson Center in 2016 and currently serves as senior web developer. In this role, he works in close collaboration ...
Karen Hoekstra
Karen Hoekstra
Karen Hoekstra joined the Johnson Center for Philanthropy in 2015. As marketing and communications manager, she leads the design and ...
Jennifer Lawson, Ph.D.
Jennifer Lawson, Ph.D.
Jennifer Lawson joined the Johnson Center in May 2024 as a project director. In this role, she is responsible for creating and implementing ...
Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.
Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.
Michael Dennis Layton joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 as the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy ...
Tory Martin, M.A.
Tory Martin, M.A.
Tory Martin joined the Johnson Center in October 2017 as director of communications and engagement. In 2022, her role expanded to include ...
Pat Robinson, M.P.A.
Pat Robinson, M.P.A.
Pat Robinson joined the Johnson Center in 1997 and currently serves as associate director for special projects and associate editor of ...
Jill Roof, M.P.A.
Jill Roof, M.P.A.
Jill Roof joined the Johnson Center in February 2024 as a research manager. She has a background in nonprofit work and is passionate about ...
Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.
Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.
Mandy Sharp Eizinger joined the Johnson Center as a program manager in April 2020. She facilitates sector-wide learning and professional ...
Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D.
Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D.
Lesley D. Slavitt joined the Johnson Center as executive director in April 2023. Through vision and collaboration, she leads our work to ...
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien, M.P.H.
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien, M.P.H.
Melyssa Tsai O’Brien joined the Johnson Center in 2014 and currently serves as a senior research manager. In this role, she plans, manages, ...
Jeff Williams, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Jeff Williams, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Jeff Williams joined the Johnson Center in February 2020 and currently serves as director of consulting services. In this role, he leads a ...
Joe VanDoornik, M.S.A., PMP
Joe VanDoornik, M.S.A., PMP
Joe VanDoornik joined the Johnson Center in January 2024 as a project manager. In this role, he supports administrative requirements of ...
Meet our Leadership Council
The Johnson Center’s Leadership Council advises our strategic direction. We would like to thank the members for providing their time and expertise to help shape the center’s direction.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Drake, Ph.D., is acting provost and executive vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs at Grand Valley State ...
David Egner
David Egner
Dave Egner joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008, and currently serves as co-chair. In 2016, Dave was appointed ...
Mae Hong
Mae Hong
Mae Hong joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2019. She is currently the managing director of the Square One Foundation, a ...
Dorothy A. Johnson
Dorothy A. Johnson
Dorothy (Dottie) Johnson joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. Dottie, the center’s namesake, served for 25 ...
Donna Murray-Brown
Donna Murray-Brown
Donna Murray-Brown joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2018. In 2022, she joined the National Council of Nonprofits as vice ...
Isaiah Oliver
Isaiah Oliver
Isaiah M. Oliver joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2022. As president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, he ...
Eric Pearson
Eric Pearson
Eric Pearson is the president and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation. He is a native El Pasoan who came up through public schools and ...
Victoria Vrana
Victoria Vrana
Victoria is the CEO of GlobalGiving. She is a senior leader in innovation and philanthropy who joined GlobalGiving from the Bill & ...
Akilah Watkins, Ph.D.
Akilah Watkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Akilah Watkins joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2023. A 25-year national thought leader, convener, and nonprofit ...
Kate Pew Wolters
Kate Pew Wolters
Kate Pew Wolters joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2017, and currently serves as co-chair. Kate was reappointed for a ...