SowHope

Mita Fitzjohn, M.B.A. (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.

Lizbeth Leeson, M.P.A. (Beth) (Vice Chairperson) has spent her personal and professional life working for social justice. For years, she promoted sustainable community change efforts in underinvested neighborhoods throughout the United States, working with organizations and foundations including the Washington D.C.-based Center for the Study of Social Policy and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She served as Deputy Director of Michigan’s Department of Mental Health, Executive Director of Child Abuse Prevention Services in Ingham County, Michigan, and was a partner and practicing Certified Financial Planner in the firm of Practical Money Management, Inc. Beth has taught college-level economics and political science classes, and, throughout the past 35 years, served on and led numerous local, state, and national boards, commissions, and task forces. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Western Michigan University.

Alfred Longtin (Al) (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 plus years AL has experience in working 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 still serves on the Eastern Illinois University Endowment board. Mr. Longtin currently serves on the Greenville University Briner Board which is transforming how small rural colleges in rural towns develop experiential learning, corporate and community development. Al grew up on a family farm and attended very small rural elementary school and went onto be an accomplished athlete. His interest in sports included motocross, baseball, basketball, football, track and rugby. Mr. Longtin is also a veteran of the US Navy and was awarded a letter of commendation for the work he performed managing a $20million repair parts budget for his destroyer. As an adult Al was a competitive sports car racer on a National level for over 10 years and still enjoys performance driving at his racing country club. Al currently enjoys cycling, skiing, golf and Crossfit competitions to this day. Al considers himself lucky to have raised two wonderful children with his wife Caren for 30 plus years. 

Lauren Spangler, M.P.A (Board Secretary) has a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Grand Valley State University, and has been working in the nonprofit sector in Michigan and beyond for more than ten years. She currently works for the ClimateWorks Foundation, a foundation providing funding for climate change mitigation work globally, providing pre- and post-award support to grantees. Lauren also serves as an adjunct instructor of grantwriting at GVSU. Outside of work and serving as a Board Member at SowHope, she enjoys traveling, volunteering with local organizations, reading, and cooking for friends and 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’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Prior to providing outpatient therapy, she investigated child abuse and neglect, with the aim to support 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.

Leecie lives in northern Virginia with her talented and handsome husband and their five beautiful children, all of them above average. Someday she would love to accompany Mary Dailey Brown on a field visit, but for now there is a lot to attend to at home, so she is privileged to serve on the Board. “The days are long and the years are short” as they say.

Fridah Kanini, originally from Kenya, is the owner of  Flora’s Elegance Events Décor, a décor and events planning company, and she serves as a full-time Administrative Assistant at the Cultural Intelligence Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. She formerly worked for Farmers Insurance for 12 years. Fridah was born and raised in Kenya by a single mother, the late Ms. Flora, and her late Grandmother, Elizabeth. Fridah has three younger brothers, two nieces, and one nephew who still reside in Kenya. Her mother, Ms. Flora, was a social worker who catered to the needs of girls, women, and people with disabilities in her village, empowering them to be independent. This sowed a seed in Fridah and inspired her great love for the community and a caring and loving attitude towards others. Fridah arrived in the USA in 2001 and worked as an International Cultural Representative at the Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She has traveled to France, South Africa, and several states in the United States. Prior to moving to Michigan, she lived in the Jersey Channel Island and Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom. Fridah is an accomplished community leader and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of the A Glimpse of Africa Festival, the Founder and former President of the West Michigan Kenyan’s community, and a volunteer with Gilda’s and Gilda’s LaughFest, Kids’ Food Basket, St. John’s Children’s Home, March of Dimes, and the African Community Church, among others. Fridah currently attends the Business School at Grand Rapids Community College.

Doreen Mangrum, M.A., M.Ed. is not new to SowHope. She was a founding Board Member and, for the first 6 years, a member of the Program Team. She serves in that same capacity today. Doreen believes and supports the mission and vision of SowHope with all of her heart. She has traveled to Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana as a volunteer staff member on evaluation visits, experiences that confirmed all that she believes about the awesome work of SowHope.

For the past 38 years, Doreen has served schools in the field of Special Education. She became the first Principal at a new charter school in inner city Grand Rapids, Covenant House Academy, a school for students 16-22 years of age that had barriers to success in their traditional school. Presently, she teaches Mindfulness to students and adults, provides advocacy for special needs students and their families, and continues to consult with Covenant House Academy.

Doreen has a Master’s degree of Arts in Learning Disabilities and a Master’s degree in Education in Special Education Administration. She has always served in a capacity to work for those that have been under-served and have different abilities and challenges, no matter their background or experiences. She believes we should do whatever it takes to break down barriers and provide opportunities for all to be empowered.

Michael McDonnell (Mac) 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 fit 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. 

Jason C. Radmacher, MBA. 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 renown leadership expert.

Kim Rowsome, M.P.A., 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.

Mr. Arnaldo Rodriguez (Arny) resides in Middleville, Michigan. He obtained his Associates Degree in Music Education from Grand Rapids Community College. Arny enlisted in the Air Force in 1974 and graduated from Keesler A.F.B. in Mississippi as an Automatic Tracking Radar Specialist, who’s 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 Corp 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.

Christiana Unakalamba (Christie), 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 listening to a good story. She looks for opportunities to be positively impactful to those around her and everyone that interacts with her.