Who We Are
Our People
Staff
Michael Rowland
President/CEO
Nicole Mireles
Program Officer,
Buchanan Promise & Scholarships
Jennifer Popielski
Senior Program Officer,
Kickstart & YAC
Caitlyn Tucker
Administrative Assistant
Board of Trustees
Karin Falkenstein
MGCF Board of Trustees Chairperson
Since 1978, the Foundation has worked to create strong, vibrant, compassionate communities by mobilizing funds, people, and expertise for positive impact. None of this would be possible without the generous, ongoing, caring support from those in the communities we serve.
-Karin Falkenstein, Chairperson
Karin Falkenstein, Chairman
Buchanan Area Fund Board
Michael Rowland, President/CEO
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Jane Brandstatter, Vice-Chairman
Niles Area Fund Board
Patricia Robinson, Superintendent
Buchanan Area Fund Board
Nathan Becraft
Youth Representative
Lorraine Holtgren
Youth Representative
Denise Peters
Niles Area Fund Board
Stephen K. Woods
Cass Area Fund Board
Tex Sheteron
Cass Area Fund Board
Kathy Rossow
Buchanan Area Fund Board
Randy Hendrixson
Buchanan Area Fund Board
Sara Senica
Niles Area Fund Board
Hope Anderson
Cass Area Fund Board
Board and Board Approved Committee Members
Buchanan Area Fund Board
Karin Falkenstein, President
Kathy Rossow, Vice President
Michael Rowland, CEO and Secretary
Nancy Conard
R. McKinley Elliott
Randy Hendrixson
Dr. Patricia Moore
Brian Murphy
Meg Paulette
Patricia Robinson, Superintendent
Patrick Swem
Niles Area Fund Board
Jane Brandstatter, President
Sara Senica, Vice President
Michael Rowland, CEO and Secretary
Michelle Asmus
Carolee Dalrymple
Jethrow Kyles, Sr.
Denise Peters
Marci Taylor
Evan Winkler
Cass Area Fund Board
Tex Sheteron, President
Diane Skibbe, Vice President
Michael Rowland, CEO and Secretary
Hope Anderson
Barbara Gordon
Marty Heirty
Peter M. Karlowicz
Shannon Lyons
Brian McKenzie
Stephen K. Woods
Buchanan Promise Board Committee
Jerry Flenar, Board Chair
Patricia Robinson, Superintendent
Barbara Craig, LMC Representative
Jason Smith, SMC Representative
Open, City Manager
Randy Hendrixson
Michael Rowland
Patrick Swem
Gary McKean
Carol McKean
Carrie Franklin
Nicole Mireles, Program Officer
Buchanan Promise Community Relations Committee
Patricia Robinson, Superintendent
Randy Hendrixson
Charles Nelson
Ashley Regal
Nicole Mireles, Program Officer
Kickstart to Career Committee
Michael Babcock
Melissa Calvillo
Stacey Denison
Lisa Gregory
Christy Layman
Rebekah Marschke
Britney Martin
Mark Nixon
Kelly Smith
Jennifer Popielski, Senior Program Officer
Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
Monserrat Avina, Brandywine
Karleigh Byrd, Brandywine
Sydney Olson, Brandywine
Bailey Roeder, Brandywine
Max Arbanas, Buchanan
Austin Gregory, Buchanan
Jacob Kuntz, Buchanan
Alyssa Lashua, Buchanan
Claire Schuelke, Buchanan
Brianne Webb, Buchanan
Dean Wegner, Buchanan
Lillian Wegener, Buchanan
Malayna Klug, Dowagiac
Emma Stanger, Dowagiac
Steven Hoover, Homeschool
Leela Lolmaugh, Homeschool
Hunter Hurley, Marcellus
Nathan Becraft, Niles
Lorraine Holtgren, Niles
Lyla Holtgren, Niles
Isabel Kennedy, Ross Beatty (Cass)
Dickson Samadder, Ross Beatty (Cass)
Kenyen Xayasane-Kennedy, Ross Beatty (Cass)
Alan Wegner, Ross Beatty (Cass)
Daniel Popielski, Virtual
Jennifer Popieski, Advisor
Caitlyn Tucker, Co-Advisor