Board of Directors
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Right now, SowHope is working around the world to improve the conditions for thousands of women.
Mita Fitzjohn, MBA (Chairperson) is a leadership consultant and coach. She collaborates with female leaders to support them in their professional development and growth, across a variety of corporate industries. She conducts leadership development workshops and training. She is also a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, focused on advancing the role of underrepresented individuals in corporate America through training, workshops, and consulting engagements. She has over 25 years of experience in sales, consulting, business ownership, project management, talent development, instructional design, training, and organizational effectiveness. Mita has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA and a Master of Business Administration from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, IL. In her free time, Mita enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, two teenagers, and her dog.
Jason Radmacher, MBA (Vice Chairperson) With a passion for people, Jason has invested heavily in leveraging moral capitalism to change people’s lives in emerging nations. Whether through onsite strategic planning with Ecuadorian missions to women and children, personal engagement of impoverished people in metropolitan and rural areas of India, or partnering with partners in Central America, he’s been humbled and honored to serve as a change catalyst. (And he has been notably improved by the amazing people he’s met.)
Jason has owned multiple companies, most notably as the co-founder and CEO of TBD Solutions Inc, a national consultancy serving organizations in the community care space. He is also a retired military commander and former inspector general with over 27 years of Air Force service. His career in executive leadership includes administrative expertise, organizational design and strategy, human resources, information technology, revenue cycle management, data use, and managed care systems. Jason provides relational coaching for executives, is a sought-after presenter, and a renowned leadership expert.
Alfred “Al” Longtin (Board Treasurer) Al is the founder and CEO of Longtin Family Companies. He provides strategic leadership and manages a significant number of client relationships throughout the country. Having come from a family business and being an entrepreneur and principal investor himself, Al possesses a deep understanding of advanced family, financial, and managerial concepts. For more than 30 years, he has worked with complex business, tax, and multi-generational issues involving large family-controlled private and public companies.
Al has served on several privately held boards of family offices and leading companies in their respective industries. He has served on the Bishop McNamara High School board and continues to serve on the Eastern Illinois University Endowment Board. Mr. Longtin currently serves on the Greenville University Briner Board, transforming how small colleges in rural towns develop experiential learning and corporate and community development.
Al grew up on a family farm and attended a very small rural elementary school. He went on to become an accomplished athlete. His interests in sports have included motocross, baseball, basketball, football, track, and rugby. Mr. Longtin is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was awarded a letter of commendation for managing a $20 million repair parts budget for his destroyer.
As an adult, Al was a competitive sports car racer at the national level for over 10 years and still enjoys performance driving at his country racing club. He currently enjoys cycling, skiing, golf, and CrossFit competitions. Al considers himself lucky to have raised two wonderful children with his wife, Caren, for over 30 years.
Aaron Hoxworth, MPA (Secretary) has a decade of experience working in the nonprofit sector. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and Nonprofit Management from Grand Valley State University. Aaron previously served on the Board of SowHope for a year and a half before being on staff as the Director of Administration for seven years. He now works as an Associate Program Officer in family philanthropy in West Michigan.
Aaron has a passion for volunteering, serving in varying capacities for his home churches for nearly 20 years. In summer 2014, Aaron participated in the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults “4k for Cancer” event, traveling over 4,000 miles in 70 days to raise money and awareness for young adults with cancer and their families. He is a doting husband to his wonderful wife, Elise, and a proud dad to his daughter, Endsley, and son, Milo. The full house is rounded out with two cats, Doughnut and Cider, and one dog, Copper.
Ben Borisch is the Managing Partner of DWH, a business and financial advisory firm that helps organizations navigate disruption and strengthen operations. With over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, operations, and human resources, Ben brings a strategic and practical mindset to his work with business owners, helping them uncover root issues and implement solutions that improve performance and sustainability.
He has served in interim CFO and HR leadership roles across diverse industries—including oil and gas distribution, recreational retail, and commercial services—and has led special projects in areas such as strategic planning, executive recruiting, and regulatory compliance. Ben is known for his skill in cost modeling and financial analysis, equipping leaders with the clarity they need to make confident decisions.
Ben earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting information systems management from Davenport University. His interest in strong leadership, operational clarity, and mission-driven work closely aligns with SowHope’s vision to empower women through wellness, education, and economic opportunity.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys learning new things, cooking, and traveling with his family.
Leecie Brown, MSW is a therapist in private practice in the national capital region. She graduated from Wheaton College (IL) with an undergraduate degree in Spanish and earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Prior to providing outpatient therapy, she investigated child abuse and neglect, with the aim of supporting vulnerable and stressed families. For the past 15 years she has worked in emergency mental health, diffusing crisis situations and interfacing with people in acute psychiatric distress. Leecie believes that women who are empowered and skilled are critical to a healthy and thriving community, as they will naturally return their strength and resources to their homes and neighborhoods. This is something she readily observes in her work, and so the mission and work of SowHope is an easy link to make.
Michelle Bassett, MBA is a retired business professional with deep experience in project leadership, strategic planning, and nonprofit service. She holds an Executive MBA from Davenport University and a BA in Business Administration from Hood College. Michelle’s career spanned consulting, event planning, and operational support—skills she now channels into community engagement and volunteerism.
Since retiring, Michelle has remained active in supporting organizations that alleviate suffering and empower others. Her heart for service and extensive nonprofit involvement—including prior experience as a board member, paid staff member, and volunteer—reflect SowHope’s mission to promote wellness, education, and economic opportunities for women around the world.
Michelle brings a steady leadership presence and a passion for thoughtful, purpose-driven impact to the SowHope board.
Michael “Mac” McDonnell attended Lawrence Technological University and graduated from Hope College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology in 1974. After devoting several years to sales development in the laboratory supply field Mac transitioned to a firm in the hi-tech world of Cleanroom environments (where ultra clean conditions are created for the manufacture of microelectronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, etc.). In 1989, Mac founded Angstrom Technology Ltd. Cleanrooms were designed, constructed, and fitted up by Angstrom throughout North America and beyond. During this time, Mac owned and managed commercial buildings in the Rockford area until Angstrom was sold in 2015. Thereafter, he provided technical, consultive services to the industry until March 2020.
Mac and his wife, Joni, continue to live in West Michigan but escape to Fort Worth, Texas in the winter months. Currently Mac operates Rivers Studios, applying his chemistry background to the conservation of oil paintings. Mac and Joni have two daughters and two grandchildren that also reside in the Grand Rapids area. Other interests include long walks, running, pickleball, restoring and maintaining vintage automobiles, oil painting, and art history. Mac has had extensive international travel experience including the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Western Europe, and Central America. He has a heart for all people and understands the benefits we enjoy in the USA versus the difficulty that much of the world endures in the basic efforts to survive.
Mr. Arnaldo “Arny” Rodriguez resides in Middleville, Michigan. He obtained his associate’s degree in music education from Grand Rapids Community College. Arny enlisted in the Air Force in 1974 and graduated from Keesler AFB in Mississippi as an Automatic Tracking Radar Specialist, whose mission was to train pilots to drop ordinance on designated targets using triangulation methods since it was prior to GPS. While serving in the Air Force he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. Arny wrote and arranged for the Air Force Drum & Bugle Corps and was awarded the 1977 Airman of the Quarter award. He was honorably discharged in 1978 and received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
Arny is the founder of Technical Professional Services, Inc., a professional staffing firm based in Wayland, Michigan, specializing in engineering and technical support, doing business with all Departments of the US Government across the country. He also owns Acqua In Vino, a specialty wine and cheese shop in Wayland, Michigan, and the Cobblestone Banquet and Conference Center, a 23,000 square-foot restaurant, banquet and office facility in Caledonia, Michigan. Arny previously served as the Executive Chair on the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. He is the proud father of 4, with his son just retiring from the Navy as the Chief of Surgery at Walter Reed National Navy Medical Center. In his not-so-spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and going to the firing range.
Kim Rowsome, MPA, is a nonprofit leader, seasoned fundraiser, and strategist. She serves as the Deputy Vice President of Development for the National Parks Conservation Association, where her department leadership and internal strategy raise funds to protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations. Kim brings over two decades of nonprofit experience and expertise. She is a community volunteer and fundraiser, dedicating her time to organizations that serve communities she cares deeply about. In addition to lending her time and leadership to SowHope, Kim serves on the Fundraising Committee for the ACPMP Research Foundation. A rare cancer survivor, she is passionate about research funding for cures.
Kim lives in northern Virginia with her husband and three boys. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her family, whether in a national park or at a sporting event, reading, and practicing yoga.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Maryland and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from George Mason University.
Christiana “Christie” Unakalamba, originally from Nigeria, is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business. She holds a Postgraduate degree in Marketing Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in mass Communications. She has previous work experience in the financial sector as a Personal Banker and a Client Relationship Manager. She is currently the Vice President of the African Student Council at GVSU. Christie is interested in global business and business innovation. She loves to meet new people, make friends, and listen to good stories. She looks for opportunities to be positively impactful to those around her and everyone that interacts with her.
Board Involvement That Reflects Partnership
One unique aspect of SowHope’s board is that we welcome the involvement of partners and spouses. Many of our board members engage in this work together – whether by attending events, supporting behind the scenes, or traveling internationally. The shared commitment shown here reflects the heart of SowHope’s mission.