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

Research Associate

Trish Abalo

Research Associate

Trish Abalo joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in September 2020. As a research associate, she supports data collection, ...

Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.

Data Analyst

Alexandra Akaakar, M.S.

Data Analyst

Alexandra Akaakar joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she supports data collection, presentation, and ...

Katie Baker, M.A.

Program Manager

Katie Baker, M.A.

Program Manager

Katie Baker joined the Johnson Center in March 2023 as a program manager for learning services, bringing a background in development, ...

Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.

Senior Project Manager

Kallie Bauer, M.B.A.

Senior Project Manager

Kallie Bauer joined the Johnson Center in 2008 and currently serves as a senior project manager. In this role, she is responsible for ...

Crisol Beliz

Research Associate

Crisol Beliz

Research Associate

Crisol Beliz joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate for the Community Data and Research ...

Emily Brenner, M.P.A.

Program Manager

Emily Brenner, M.P.A.

Program Manager

Emily Brenner joined the Johnson Center in 2018 and currently serves as program manager. In this role, she assists the learning services ...

Sherry Collver

Operations Assistant

Sherry Collver

Operations Assistant

Sherry Collver joined the Johnson Center in 2012 and currently serves as operations assistant. In this role, she supports the executive ...

Julie Couturier, CPA

Operations Director

Julie Couturier, CPA

Operations Director

Julie Couturier joined the Johnson Center in 2006 and currently serves as the director of operations. In this role, she is responsible for ...

Emily Doebler, M.P.P.

Research Associate

Emily Doebler, M.P.P.

Research Associate

Emily Doebler (she/her) joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in April 2023 as a research associate for the Community Data ...

Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.

Data Analyst

Emily Dorn Jex, M.S.

Data Analyst

Emily Dorn Jex joined the Johnson Center as a data analyst in January 2022. In this role, she assists the Community Data and Research Lab ...

Jana Einfeld

Office Coordinator

Jana Einfeld

Office Coordinator

Jana Einfeld joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy in May 2023 as office coordinator. In this role, she manages office ...

Brian Herron

Senior Web Developer

Brian Herron

Senior Web Developer

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

Marketing and Communications Manager

Karen Hoekstra

Marketing and Communications Manager

Karen Hoekstra joined the Johnson Center for Philanthropy in 2015. As marketing and communications manager, she leads the design and ...

Aimée A. Laramore, M.B.A.

Director of Learning Services

Aimée A. Laramore, M.B.A.

Director of Learning Services

Aimée Laramore joined the Johnson Center as director of learning services in May 2022. As owner/lead consultant for ALlyd Image Solutions, a ...

Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.

W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair

Michael D. Layton, Ph.D.

W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair

Michael Dennis Layton joined the Johnson Center in September 2020 as the W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair, the nation’s first ...

Tory Martin, M.A.

Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships

Tory Martin, M.A.

Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships

Tory Martin joined the Johnson Center in October 2017 and currently serves as director of communications and strategic partnerships. In this ...

Michael Moody, Ph.D.

Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy

Michael Moody, Ph.D.

Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy

Michael Moody joined the Johnson Center in 2010 as the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy, the world’s first endowed chair for ...

Pat Robinson, M.P.A.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Pat Robinson, M.P.A.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Pat Robinson joined the Johnson Center in 1997 and currently serves as associate director for special projects and associate editor of ...

Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.

Program Manager

Mandy Sharp Eizinger, M.S.

Program Manager

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.

Executive Director

Lesley D. Slavitt, Ph.D.

Executive Director

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.

Research Manager

Melyssa Tsai O’Brien, M.P.H.

Research Manager

Melyssa Tsai O’Brien joined the Johnson Center in 2014 and currently serves as a research manager. In this role, she plans, manages, and ...

Jeff Williams, M.A., M.B.A.

Director, Community Data and Research Lab

Jeff Williams, M.A., M.B.A.

Director, Community Data and Research Lab

Jeff Williams joined the Johnson Center as the director of the Community Data and Research Lab (CDRL) in February 2020. In this role, he ...

Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout, Ph.D.

Research Manager

Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout, Ph.D.

Research Manager

Aaron Yore-VanOosterhout designs and carries out community-based research to help nonprofits, schools, and other organizations better serve ...

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.

M. Gasby Brown

Founder & CEO, The Gasby Group, Inc.

M. Gasby Brown

Founder & CEO, The Gasby Group, Inc.

M. Gasby Brown joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2022. As founder & CEO of The Gasby Group, Inc. (TGG), she leads a team ...

Dan Cardinali

President & CEO, Independent Sector

Dan Cardinali

President & CEO, Independent Sector

Dan Cardinali joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2017. Dan joined Independent Sector, a national membership ...

Rob Collier

Trustee, Russell and Annabelle Woodard Family Fund

Rob Collier

Trustee, Russell and Annabelle Woodard Family Fund

Rob Collier joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. Rob was president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations ...

David Egner

President & CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

David Egner

President & CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Dave Egner joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008, and currently serves as co-chair. In 2016, Dave was appointed ...

Mae Hong

Vice President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Mae Hong

Vice President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Mae Hong joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2019. Mae opened the Chicago office of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in ...

Dorothy A. Johnson

President Emeritus, Council of Michigan Foundations

Dorothy A. Johnson

President Emeritus, Council of Michigan Foundations

Dorothy (Dottie) Johnson joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. Dottie, the center’s namesake, served for 25 ...

Arend D. Lubbers

President Emeritus, Grand Valley State University

Arend D. Lubbers

President Emeritus, Grand Valley State University

Arend (Don) Lubbers joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. Don served as second president of Grand Valley State ...

Donna Murray-Brown

Vice President of Strategy & Development, National Council of Nonprofits

Donna Murray-Brown

Vice President of Strategy & Development, National Council of Nonprofits

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

President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint

Isaiah Oliver

President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint

Isaiah M. Oliver joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2022. As president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, ...

Joel J. Orosz, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor of Philanthropic Studies Emeritus, GVSU

Joel J. Orosz, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor of Philanthropic Studies Emeritus, GVSU

Joel Orosz joined the Leadership Council in 2011, after retiring from the Johnson Center where he founded The Grantmaking School. Joel has ...

Diana R. Sieger

President, Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Diana R. Sieger

President, Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Diana Sieger joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2008. In her 30 plus years as President of Grand Rapids Community ...

Robert P. Smart, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Research Administration

Robert P. Smart, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Research Administration

Robert P. Smart, Ph.D., is vice provost for research administration and the founding executive director of the Center for Scholarly and ...

Kate Pew Wolters

President, Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation

Kate Pew Wolters

President, Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation

Kate Pew Wolters joined the Johnson Center’s Leadership Council in 2017, and currently serves as co-chair. Kate was reappointed for a ...

Interested in joining our team?

Here at the Johnson Center, you’ll get the unique opportunity to bridge the worlds of foundations, nonprofits, academics, and practitioners to advance the capacity of professionals and organizations working for the common good. Professionals at the Johnson Center enjoy the benefits and human resource offerings of Grand Valley State University.