UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN - Key Persons

Ashleigh Imerman is Chief Philanthropy Officer at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. In this role, she builds relationships with our generous supporters whose gifts of dollars, time and advocacy have mobilized lasting change for families across our region. She is passionate about connecting donors to our mission and helping them find ways to make a meaningful difference. Ashleigh is an avid advocate for philanthropy - the love of mankind. Her career in the nonprofit sector began right out of undergrad, inspired by a summer service trip to Guatemala with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village Program, and she's been devoted to raising funds to improve communities and individual lives ever since. Ashleigh brings more than 15 years of service to nonprofits that share our values. Most recently, she was Chief Advancement Officer at Tamarack Camps, where she led the strategy and operational functionality of both its development and communications departments. Prior, she was Senior Director of Development for the Beaumont Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Michigan's largest nonprofit health care system. In this position, she led several multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns focused on improving the health and wellness of children, women and families. She also served as Focus: HOPE's Director of Major Gifts, securing private support for a variety of multi-generational programs, social justice initiatives and wrap-around services for Detroit residents. Earlier in her career, she was Director of Corporate Relations at Forgotten Harvest, where she engaged the Metro Detroit business community and worked alongside Feeding America to activate national partnerships at the local level. Her personal philanthropy includes being an advisor to the Phillip and Elizabeth Filmer Charitable Trust and a volunteer with Imerman Angels, a national cancer-support organization. She is also a member of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Alumni Association. Ashleigh and her husband, Jeff, enjoy living in the small community of Pleasant Ridge with their rescue dog, Macy. She loves outdoor activities. Whether its running, biking, hiking or skiing, being in nature is her happy place.

Avec O'Brien - CFO

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Chief Financial Officer
Board Director and Finance Committee Chair to Ascension Michigan Ministry Market

Avec currently serves as board director and finance committee chair to Ascension Michigan Ministry Market. She also serves as board director for the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Cemeteries, for Financial Executives International, and for MiSide (formerly known as Southwest Solutions).  Avec served as national board director and Michigan chapter founding president of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).  She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit (LD XXXIII) Avec is the mother of two sons, James and Michael, who are the center of her universe. In her free time, she provides swimming lessons to students of all ages and enjoys volunteering, practicing yoga, and singing in her church choir.

Barbara Pilarski

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Bill Emerson

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Board Member Rocket Companies

Brandon Lee - COO, EVP

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Chief Operating Officer
Executive Vice President

Brandon Lee is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. He joined the organization in August of 2013 as an AmeriCorps VISTA. In his current role, Brandon oversees a broad portfolio of work, including the Community Impact & Strategy and Transformation Departments. In 2023, Brandon spearheaded the successful merger of United Way for Southeastern Michigan with United Way of Washtenaw County, increasing United Way's impact and outreach to encompass all four counties in Southeastern Michigan: Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne. In 2020, Brandon played a pivotal role in developing and managing United Way's COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, raising over $37 million to support the region. On multiple occasions, Brandon has partnered closely with Board leadership to develop enterprise strategic plans. He was part of the leadership team at United Way who earned the title of Crain's Detroit Business 2021 Best Managed Nonprofit. Brandon has over ten years of experience in the nonprofit field. Shortly after earning his bachelor's degree, he founded a 501(c)(3) organization focused on college access, preparation, and retention for youth in Detroit. He then transitioned to his first role with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and spent four years on the education team, including 18 months supporting the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren as a project manager to develop the "Choice is Ours Report" and the subsequent efforts to pass legislation to reset the local educational landscape. An alumnus of Oakland University, Brandon holds a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in political science. In 2019, he earned Oakland University's 10 Within 10 Award recognizing professional excellence of young alumni. in 2021, Brandon served as a mentor in Leadership OU, Oakland University's alumni and undergraduate mentoring program. Brandon is a graduate of United Way Worldwide's Advanced Leadership Program. In this program, he joined a select cohort of 17 other executive leaders from around the world for a yearlong intensive training program to develop and prepare future leaders of the United Way Worldwide network. Brandon proudly serves as vice chair for Developing K.I.D.S., a youth development organization in Detroit. Serving on the board since 2019, Brandon has led multiple committees focused on organizational strategy and growth. Brandon also has a leadership role on the board of directors of Michigan Association of United Ways, serving as their Vice Chair. Brandon is a Detroit Tigers season ticket holder. In his free time enjoys traveling - especially road trips, as well as golfing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Brandon Tucker

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Board Member Washtenaw Community College

Bruce Mitchell

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Ambassador Club Member Comerica

Chris Cryer

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Ambassador Club Member Walbridge

Chris Marchione

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Ambassador Club Member IUPATE

Chris Son

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Ambassador Club Member AAM

Christopher Topham

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Clare Willett

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Ambassador Club Member EY
Board Member EY

Cyril Benitah

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Dan Colling

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Senior Director, Corporate & Labor Relations

Dana Harris

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Ambassador Club Member Coalition of Black Union Tradesmen

Dana Williams

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Board Member Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation

Daryl Newman

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Board Member AFL - CIO Metro Detroit

Dave Berry

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Ambassador Club Member UAW

David Elshoff

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

David Foltyn

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Ambassador Club Member Borgwarner
Chairman Emeritus Honigman LLP

David James

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Ambassador Club Member UWUA Local 223

David Parent

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Treasurer Deloitte LLP

Deborah Manzano

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Ambassador Club Member Ford
Board Member Ford Motor Co.

Denise Scruggs

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Ambassador Club Member Coalition of Labor Union Women

Dianna Gutierrez

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Donna Stallings

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Ambassador Club Member Walker - Miller Energy

Dr. Darienne Hudson - CEO, President

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CEO
President
Energy Nonprofit Executive

Dr. Darienne Hudson is a high-energy nonprofit executive and life-long educator serving as President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, located in Detroit and serving Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties. Before joining United Way in July 2018, she spent four years as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. Dr. Hudson began her career as an elementary school teacher in Detroit Public Schools, a point of personal pride. Dr. Hudson believes in the power of collective impact and in the importance of public-private partnerships to solve societal issues and inequity. She is purposefully and intentionally leading her 100-plus-year-old organization in a direction that places an emphasis on listening to the community to address its greatest needs and improve the lives throughout the region. Her ability to mobilize corporations, foundations, and individual donors to orchestrate a coordinated community-based effort in response to the coronavirus pandemic garnered international praise and recognition. Dr. Hudson continues to lead United Way with the same sense of urgency and passion. Throughout her tenure, the organization has raised more than $348 million to support individuals and families in need across Southeastern Michigan. Dr. Hudson proudly co-chairs the Mayor's Workforce Development Board, and she serves on the boards of the Detroit Children's Fund, the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, Connect313, United Way Worldwide, and recently completed her term on the Board of Overseers for Harvard University. Dr. Hudson's academic achievements include a doctorate from Harvard University in Urban Superintendency, a master's degree in education from Harvard University, and a master's degree in curriculum development from the University of Michigan. Her undergraduate degree in child development is from Spelman College.

Dr. Richard Pappas

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Board Member Davenport University

Dr. Sonia Hassan Duggan

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Board Member Wayne State University

Dr. Wanda Cook Robinson

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Board Member Oakland Schools ( Retired )

Durant Crum

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Ambassador Club Member Rush Group of Companies

Ed Siaje

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Chairman of Board of Directors Bank of America Private Bank

Elyse Foltyn

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Ambassador Club Member Incoming Tocqueville Society Co - Chair

Eric McGhee

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Ambassador Club Member UAW

Erik Bakker

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Board Member Bank of Ann Arbor

Evan Lyall

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Ambassador Club Member Meridian

Grant Thorton

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Ambassador Club Member

Greg Holm

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Gregory Dill

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Board Member Washtenaw County Government

Hans-Werner Kaas

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Ambassador Club Member Former Tocqueville Chair

Harry Kemp

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Board Member Lear Corporation

Hassan Jaber

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Board Member Upsurge Strategies

Ian Hogan

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Board Member Comerica

Ian Robinson

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Ambassador Club Member LEO ( Lecture Employee Org )

Jeff Kalinowski

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Ambassador Club Member Stellantis

Jeff Miles

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Vice President of Community Impact

Jeff Miles is the Vice President of Community Impact at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, where he has worked for nearly a decade developing key programs and relationships across the region and state. He holds a master's degree in macro social work from Michigan State University and worked at the Michigan Public Health Institute prior to joining United Way where he was focused on bridging the clinical and social care sectors. He has led numerous federal and state-funded projects aimed at increasing systems-level efficiencies to drive positive outcomes in multiple service domains including early childhood education, utilities, coordinated care, and others. He currently oversees United Way's community impact department and is responsible for the United Way 2-1-1 Information Sharing and Referral Service, the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP), the CWF network, Connect4Care Kids, and other programs aimed at supporting ALICE families.

Jennifer Stafeil

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Board Member KPMG

Jim Robinson

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Board Member Huntington National Bank

Jocelyn Howard

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Board Member Citadel of Perpetual Learning, LLC

Joe Miller

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Ambassador Club Member IATSE

John Johnson

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Board Member Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce

JPaul Dixon

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Ambassador Club Member Hylant

Katie Balesky

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Ambassador Club Member PwC

Kelle Ilitch

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Board Member Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Ken Whipple

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Chairman Emeritus

Kristen Balasia

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Ambassador Club Member S & P Global

Kristin Smallwood

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Board Member PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Kyle DuBuc

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Vice President, Communications & Advocacy

Kyle DuBuc is Vice President, Communications & Advocacy at United Way for Southeastern Michigan.  In this role, he leads all public policy, government relations, marketing, events and communications efforts, each with the goal of leveraging the organization's network and resources to deliver measurable impact for those in need while advancing meaningful systemic change aligned with United Way's mission in the region. Throughout his more than 20 years of experience in both nonprofit and government roles, Kyle has advocated for the rights of seniors and people with disabilities at Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, managed campaigns for local and state offices, and worked as the legislative director for a member of the Michigan House of Representatives.  He joined United Way for Southeastern Michigan in February of 2013 as the director of policy and advocacy. Kyle graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, Specializing in Community Relations, with a cognitive study in political science. His studies, which focused on inequity and social stratification, ignited Kyle's passion for social justice, a central focus of his career path ever since. In addition to his professional experience, Kyle has a long history of activism, volunteerism and community service, including a formative experience as part of the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience (MRULE) at MSU, two years served with the Peace Corps in Gotheye, Niger, and 12 years served as an elected official in his home city of Royal Oak. Kyle and his wife, Tara, have three school-aged children. He enjoys playing with his kids, movies, camping, tennis, pickleball, talking politics and world events, and strumming the eight chords he knows while singing along with friends and family.

Lara Keathley - VP

Job Titles:

Vice President
Vice President, People, Culture & Governance

Lara Keathley is Vice President, People, Culture & Governance at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. She joined United Way in September 2020 and oversees initiatives and strategies around the organization's people operations including talent management and organizational development, employee engagement and organizational culture, and total rewards, including compensation and benefits. Lara joined United Way after spending four years as vice president of employee services at Christian Financial Credit Union. She has also served as human resources and training consultant at CU Solutions Group, chief culture officer at Michigan Credit Union League and director of training and human resources at Advantage One Credit Union. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Lara holds a master's certificate in human resources and a bachelor's degree in secondary education, literature and English. She has conducted master's course work in gender studies, and she is a senior certified professional, human resources through the Society for Human Resource Management. Lara is married to wife Kristin and enjoys community theater, reading and exercising.