Karen is a seasoned C-Suite executive with over 25 years of strategic and operational human resources experience. Her curious nature and creative mind are skills highly sought after by our clients. Karen has led teams to maximum efficiency while fostering and creating a collaborative and accountable workplace.
Karen began her career in manufacturing for a private fastener company. The company was acquired by a publicly traded company, and Karen was promoted to Director of Organizational Development and was a key player on the organization’s M&A team. This is also where Karen began her lifelong career as a negotiator. She changed industries into healthcare and then government/municipality and, ultimately, higher education as the Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at Oakland Community College.
Karen is the founder and President of OakMac SHRM, Michigan’s 19th SHRM Chapter and was the 2023 Athena Leadership Award Recipient.
My name is Natalie Boivin, and I am the branch manager of the Clinton Township branch of First State Bank. I’ve been in the banking industry for five years, most recently working with businesses.
I was born and raised in Macomb, and I currently reside in Clinton Township with my husband and two children. Outside of work, I spend time with my family and friends, and I enjoy volunteering my time to stay active within my community.
G. Patrick Thompson is the Senior Chaplain for McLaren Hospice in Port Huron and serves as pastor of the historic Sturges Memorial Congregational Church. He came to ministry following a career in administrative law and directed the Unemployment Insurance Clinic for the International Union, UAW. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.
Dr. Thompson formerly served as president of the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency. He has served several congregations in southeast Michigan and is in his eleventh year as Grand Chaplain of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Michigan. Thompson is a member of the Advisory Board for Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (St. Clair County). He has been married to Lorraine Thompson for 50 years and has two adult sons.
Dana serves as the Revitalize and Thrive Campaign Coordinator with the Macomb Family YMCA, she is responsible for securing major gifts from corporations, the private sector, and community organizations. She has spent the last twenty five years involved in non-profit fundraising. She has been a public servant for over fifteen years. As a Founder and Fund Development Specialist for Care House in Macomb County her accomplishments over the past twenty two years included: the initiation of services, start-up funding, and the continued procurement of financing for the non-profit corporation.
David Vale graduated from Wayne State University (B.S.C.E. 1983) and Florida Institute of Technology (M.S.M. 1999). David is also a retired Naval Reserve Officer. He worked and traveled for many years overseas, including Europe, Israel, Afghanistan, Nepal and Africa. He retired after 34 years of Government Service. His work and travel overseas enabled him to experience many different cultures and societies.
David believes in the saying, there by the Grace of God go I. He believes if we have been fortunate to be successful then we should give back to the less fortunate, not only monetarily but through volunteering our time and expertise. We should all help the less fortunate why else are we here.
My name is Vickie Jozefiak, and I am the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors. I was born, raised, and currently reside in southeast Michigan. I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters. Family has always been a priority and what I value most.
I sincerely understand the pressure and stress that health issues can place on families. I know firsthand the importance of finding the right place for your loved ones that will become their home sweet home. It would be an honor to hear your story and work side by side to make this transition as seamless as possible for your family. My goal in life has always been helping others. Oasis allows me the opportunity to do what I love and grow my passion. Please allow me the opportunity to guide your family during this transition and become a small part of your family.
Tricia Haener is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of McLaren Macomb. Tricia received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University and has advanced her degree by receiving an MBA/HA from Spring Arbor University. Beginning her role as the Chief Nursing Officer, Tricia has dedicated her time to ensuring safe, quality, patient care in the workplace. She has become involved within the community in both nursing services andbehavioral health services. Tricia believes you never ask anyone to do something you would not do yourself.
Craig was born and raised in the Yale area and moved to Macomb County in early 2000. He currently co-owns and operates four funeral homes, including Grace Memorial in Clinton Township, Port Huron, Marine City, and Kimball Township. Craig has been working in the funeral service industry for 35 years and considers it an honor to assist families during one of their most difficult times.
In addition to his work in funeral services, Craig is also a real estate developer. In his spare time, Craig enjoys boating, landscaping, and spending time with his family. His work ethic, compassion for others, and commitment to serving his community through his businesses are the hallmarks of his character and personality.
Over the past three decades, Craig has built a reputation for providing dignified, compassionate, and personalized funeral services that honor and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. His funeral homes strive to support grieving families with professionalism, empathy, and attentiveness during a time of great loss. Craig takes great pride in knowing he has helped provide comfort and closure to the many families he has served over the years.
Michelle Fusco is a public relations professional with more than three decades of experience. She has worked in publishing, travel and tourism, economic development and healthcare. She is currently the public relations manager for Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University.
Kimberly Nicholson serves as the Director of Patient Experience at McLaren Macomb Hospital, ensuring positive experiences for patients, families, and visitors. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality and customer service, Kimberly began her career in hotel management, including roles as General
Manager for three local hotels, before seamlessly transitioning into healthcare. Her background includes a major in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education and Hospitality Management from Grand Valley State University, providing her with a well-rounded foundation for her career in patient care and customer service.
Kimberly’s passion for advocacy and helping others drives her commitment to enhancing patient care. A native of Macomb County, Kimberly resides there with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. Kimberly is dedicated to making a difference in her community through her involvement on the Martha T Berry Foundation Board, where she plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing the lives of residents.
Kimberly expresses her dedication with the quote “I am honored to be a part of the Martha T Berry Foundation, where we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of our residents every day.”
Tom Isett is the President of Always Best Care Senior Services. He has been serving the senior community in Macomb County for over 15 years. A lifelong Michigan Resident, Tom’s company provides In-Home Care as well as Senior Living Placement Services. His passion for the senior community is evident by what they do for the seniors of Macomb County and his involvement in the community.
Tom is a graduate of Central Michigan and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Tom also has three grown children that work, live, and serve in Macomb County. When Tom is not taking care of the seniors in Macomb County, you can find him enjoying his 3 children, 2 grandchildren, and 1 year old Golden Retriever either on the water or on the Golf course.
Marian Devereux is an Employee Benefits Specialist dedicated to addressing the escalating healthcare costs in America. Currently serving as a Strategic Account Manager at EHIM Powered by ProCare, Inc., Marian combines her expertise and practical experience to create innovative benefit strategies that help employers manage healthcare expenses and access. Her role involves designing tailored solutions to enhance the efficiency of pharmacy benefit plans, with the broader aim of improving healthcare outcomes nationwide. Marian’s work is driven by a passion for effecting positive change in the healthcare landscape, ensuring that both employers and their employees receive exceptional support and value from their benefit programs.
Marian graduated from Oakland University and received her MBA from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. She resides in Macomb Township with her husband and two children. Her commitment to supporting the elderly is deeply personal; having cared for her own parents and in-laws, Marian’s empathy and dedication have only strengthened. This personal journey has inspired her to advocate for and assist seniors, reflecting her genuine desire to enhance their quality of life through compassionate care and support.
Amanda Herr, President and CEO of Digital Desk, boasts extensive expertise in digital marketing and advertising, along with her tenure as Vice President of Advertising Sales at CNN.
At Digital Desk, Amanda spearheads a dedicated team offering a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services, including social media marketing, SEO, SEM, website development, email marketing, and lead generation strategies. With a commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development, Amanda ensures that clients receive tailored and innovative solutions to meet their specific needs.
Beyond her role at Digital Desk, Amanda shares her wealth of knowledge and industry insights as an Adjunct Professor of Digital Marketing at Macomb Community College. Through her teaching, Amanda imparts practical skills and theoretical understanding to the next generation of digital marketing professionals, preparing them for success in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media and advertising.
When Amanda is not working, you can find her spending time with her teenage daughter and her three dogs.