ELE'S PLACE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
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- Member of the Governing Board
- Secretary, New York Life
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
- Founder, Ele 's Place
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- Member of the Community Board
- Clark Construction Co
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- Member of the Governing Board
- Helen DeVos Children 's Hospital
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- Branch Director
- Development Staff Member
- Director
- Director of Development
- Director, Via
Bree Arvai was named the Branch Director at Ele's Place Ann Arbor in November 2020. Bree joined the organization as the Director of Development in 2018, and from February through November 2020, she also served as Interim Branch Director.
Throughout the Ann Arbor community and the surrounding southeast Michigan area, Bree is known for her selfless dedication and never-ending compassion that provides excellent care and keeping of the Ele's Place Ann Arbor donors, staff, volunteers, and families. In addition, her strong leadership, commitment to community engagement, dedication to donor stewardship, and devotion to our grieving families provides a solid foundation for the continued growth and success of the organization.
Bree resides in Saline, Michigan with her husband and four children. She earned a Master's degree in Wellness Management from Ball State University and a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Management from the University of Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
- Treasurer, CFO Mason Public Schools ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Development Staff Program Staff Member
- Director of Development
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
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- Program Volunteer Coordinator
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- Building Administrator
- Office & Building Administrator, Via
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Program Staff Member
Hannah Brown, LMSW, was named the Program Director at Ele's Place Ann Arbor in December 2021. Hannah joined the organization as a Bereavement Coordinator in 2013, and from September through November 2021, served as the Associate Program Director.
Hannah began her professional career in child care environments where she developed an appreciation for working with children, families and strong teams. Those experiences led her to pursue studies in social work, followed by several years working with families and children at nonprofit organizations including, Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor Public Schools School-Aged Child Care program and Americorps, prior to joining Ele's Place Ann Arbor.
Hannah resides in her home town of Ann Arbor with her husband and three children. She earned a Master's degree in Social Work from University of Michigan, and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Hannah holds a Clinical License in Social Work, an additional certification in School Social Work, as well as training in art therapy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
- President / CEO, Ele 's Place
Job Titles:
- School Program & Bereavement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- West Michigan Staff Member
Kelly Koerner, MA, LPC, NCC serves as the Program Director of Ele's Place-Capital Region. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Kelly also has a Master's Degree in Counseling from Adler University in Chicago, Il. As the longest continuously serving employee of Ele's Place, she has proudly held a number of positions within the organization, including Bereavement Coordinator, Program Volunteer Coordinator and Associate Program Director. Prior to working at Ele's Place, Kelly worked for a non-profit organization in Chicago supporting children and teens in foster care.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys yoga, running, walking her puggle Teddy and cheering on her children as they play sports, especially golf.
Having grown up in the Lansing area, Kelly now resides in Laingsburg with her family; her husband, Scott, children, Kaitlyn and Zachary.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
- Vice Chair, SVP Business Performance Strategy & Chief of Staff for AF Group
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Development Staff Program Staff Member
- Director
- Director of Ele 's Place
- Ele 's Place - Capital Region
Kristine Kuhnert serves as the Director of Ele's Place-Capital Region. She has been active with Ele's Place as a volunteer starting in 2006 and began her employment in 2013. Kristine and her husband, Scott, strongly believe in the mission that no child shall grieve alone and both had witnessed the effects of unresolved childhood grief. In December 2014, Scott was killed by a drunk driver returning from their son's hockey game. Kristine and her children placed a new hat on and started at Ele's Place to process their grief. She is passionate about ensuring that all children receive the necessary services to find peace and lead productive lives.
Kristine is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BS in Dietetics. She has worked at Cornell Medical Center in NYC and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She has consulted on numerous books on nutrition. She resides in Bath with her three sons, Holden, Maxwell and Quinn and her three-legged dog, Ozzie.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Event & Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Development Staff Member
- Director of Development
- Director of Development, Via
If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Clark, Director of Development, via phone at 734.929.6640 x2220 or via email at lclark@elesplace.org.
Remember, when your Facebook Fundraiser is complete, please contact Lindsay Clark, Director of Development, via phone at 734.929.6640 x2220 or via email at lclark@elesplace.org, to provide us with the total dollars raised from your fundraiser AND the date your fundraiser closed on Facebook.
Lindsay Clark was named the Director of Development for Ele's Place Ann Arbor in January 2021. Lindsay is a development professional with a passion for children's grief support. In addition to her professional fundraising and grant experience, she is also skilled in marketing/communications, event planning, youth work and volunteer management.
In 2016, Lindsay began volunteering with children's grief organizations. Upon her return to Ann Arbor in 2018, she trained to become a facilitator at Ele's Place Ann Arbor, and volunteers with children and teens in our weekly grief support groups.
Lindsay brings extensive development and nonprofit experience, which includes collaborating with and stewarding individuals, foundations and nonprofit partners. Her knowledge of the Ele's Place mission and her dedication to our grieving families allow her to immediately begin engaging current and prospective donors, grantors, supporters and partners, to establish strong long-term relationships.
A native of Ann Arbor, Lindsay holds a B.A. in Psychology and English Literature from Denison University and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Job Titles:
- VICE CHAIR of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Development Staff Program Staff Member
- Events and Outreach Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Program Director
- Program Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
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- Chairman of the Community Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governing Board
- Chairman, Bank of America - Merrill Lynch ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Ele's Place Ann Arbor offers weekly peer support groups Monday through Thursday evenings for grieving children and teens ages 3-18, and their adults, free of charge. Evening support programs help children and teens understand that they are not alone in their grief and provide an opportunity to connect with others who have experienced the death of a person in an emotionally safe environment that supports the sharing of feelings, thoughts and experiences. Our support groups run during the school year (September-May). During the summer, we offer family activity nights for all families who have completed the enrollment process. All of our support services are offered at no cost to families.
Peer support groups are divided by age/grade: Preschool/Kindergarten, Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School. Trained volunteers facilitate the children and teen groups with oversight by Ele's Place Ann Arbor Program Staff.
Support groups for the parents/guardians of enrolled children and teens are also available. Licensed mental health clinicians facilitate the adult groups. Ele's Place believes its's important to be able to support adults in their grief, so the family can continue on their healing journey together.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Program Assistant
- Program Assistant, Via
Job Titles:
- Director
- West Michigan Staff Member
- Director of Ele 's Place
Tammy Squire is the Director of Ele's Place-West Michigan. She has had the privilege of serving the West Michigan community for more than 25 years in the non-profit sector. Her career began with the March of Dimes, West Michigan, helping babies and their families and partnering with individuals, corporations, and hundreds of volunteers, in efforts to prevent premature birth and its complications. Following the March of Dimes, she spent time with the American Red Cross, as Chief Development Officer, where volunteers and staff are prepared to respond to help people in emergencies. Prior to joining Ele's Place West Michigan, Tammy was the Director of Development at the Humane Society West Michigan, where she was able to blend her love and passion for animals, as well as fundraising expertise to Create the HSWM's two signature events, built leadership volunteer event committees and manage donor portfolios. She also spent time at the Grand Rapids Public Museum as Vice President of Development.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Tammy has lived in West Michigan nearly her entire life. She attended the Kendall College of Design and now resides in the Grand Rapids area with her two teenage children and her two cats.
Tammy enjoys using nonprofit expertise and passion for helping to ensure that no child in West Michigan grieves alone, and all have access to compassionate support!
Tracy Payton-Lester, LMSW serves Ele's Place of Greater Flint and Genesee County as the Program Director.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Board
- Farm Bureau Insurance
Job Titles:
- Program Staff Member
- Bereavement Coordinator