Case Stories

Not-for-Profit sector strategic mergers are fairly uncommon, but one successful example is the 2018 merger of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (AAHOM) and the Leslie Science and Nature Center (LSNC). LSNC was in need of expanded funding support. AAHOM was looking to expand STEM programing. The two organizations had a history of natural sciences informal education collaboration. As a board member and ultimate board chair we successfully navigated through unique legal and reporting challenges, integrating two boards, making leadership transition decisions, financial concerns, and an unanticipated environmental site issue. Today these merged organizations are a model of success.

Case Stories

As president of the Bank of Ann Arbor, Technology Industry Group, we prided ourselves on our ability and unique opportunity to help small businesses and entrepreneurs. Alongside funding and banking services a valued component of our offering was frequent business advisory meetings. Providing experienced business plan reviews and funding source advice, combined with leadership connectivity within the region’s innovation business ecosystem continues to be a considerable differentiating asset for the group.

Case Stories

The Ozone House human services organization was in need of a new facility to house and council its at-risk teenage clients. As a board member and ultimate board chair, we overcame significant challenges by developing a long-term strategy which importantly involved public remessaging, board level consensus, new donor engagement strategies and an extensive site relocation process. Despite an unexpected mid-stream executive director departure and the global COVID pandemic, the organization successfully completed the largest capital campaign in its 50-year history and constructed a state-of-the art new headquarters facility.

Case Stories

The Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest (GLEQ) was a business plan competition in Michigan designed to support and promote entrepreneurial activity in the state. It aimed to help early-stage technology companies and startups by providing them with resources, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Participants in the GLEQ received guidance on how to develop their business plans, pitch their ideas, and attract investment. As a multi-year GLEQ coach and judge, it was a pleasure to help a number of entrepreneurs build successful business plans, win grant awards and support their continued success.