Who We AreStaff & Board of Directors

Kelly Walters serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of First State Bank. She is responsible for assessing and mitigating risks, overseeing collections, managing litigation and all aspects of banking and finance law. She also oversees regulatory, compliance, examination, privacy and other statutory requirements. Kelly grew up and was raised in Oakland County where she remains active in the community, including with her alma mater Marian High School, and at St. Hugo Parish. She graduated third in her law school class at the University of Detroit Mercy, all while supporting her husband’s business and raising her children. Her proudest accomplishments are her eight children, all of whom live locally.

Her legal profession started in labor and employment at Dykema Gossett, but she changed courses during the recession and accepted a job at First State Bank in 2009. Her most rewarding accomplishment in her legal profession was being a part of the team at First State Bank that worked with struggling borrowers and successfully found a way to allow most of them to stay in their homes – retaining their dignity and integrity.

Lauren Brosch is a Community Affairs Manager for Consumers Energy, serving Macomb and St. Clair counties. She works with key stakeholders, local governments, and customers to build relationships and foster partnerships between the company and communities in Southeast Michigan.

Lauren is an active community member and advocate. She sits on the Board of Directors for NAMI Michigan and the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on the Detroit Economic Club Young Leaders Board. She enjoys volunteering her time and supporting various nonprofit organizations including ALS of Michigan, NAMI Michigan, Bark Nation and more. She is originally from Clinton Township and currently resides in Shelby Township.

John McGrath is the Supervising Relationship Manager at Fishman Stewart, PLLC. Fishman Stewart is a premier specialty law firm with decades of Intellectual Property expertise. John is responsible for ensuring that Fishman Stewart’s client engagement strategies are cohesive and aligned with the firm’s goals. John is also a board member of the Macomb County Habitat for Humanity and a 30-year resident of Macomb County.

Jodi Debbrecht Switalski served as an Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor then Magistrate of the 45th District Court before being appointed to the bench by the Governor of the State of Michigan where she served from 2010-2016. A nationally recognized speaker on the subject of addiction, mental health, violence and the law, she returned to the courtroom in 2016 by founding Switalski Law which specializes in family and criminal law, litigation, consulting and advocacy. She fluently understands substance abuse addiction and has become a zealous and unique advocate for individuals both in the courtroom and out.

Jodi has received numerous awards including the first-ever WMU Cooley Law School Integrity In Our Communities Award. She serves on the board of Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works. Jodi resides in Macomb County and is married to Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Switalski (retired) and has two teenage children. Her personal motto is: Be The Change. Do Something.

Mick Brody is the Chief Financial Officer of Biewer Lumber.  Mick has extensive experience covering all aspects of finance and accounting throughout his thirty years of experience.  Mick is a highly motivated financial professional with deep experience in all aspects of finance and overall management.

Mick was born and raised in Macomb County and remains a committed resident, where he and his wife are raising their two daughters.  Mick is a proud member and volunteer at St. Paul of Tarsus Parish in Clinton Township.

Mark Cullen is a Senior Vice President at Gallagher. He and his wife Julie have chosen to make Macomb their home. In addition to his background in commercial construction, development and real estate, Mark brings his talents in marketing and sales as well as his regional connections to the Advancing Macomb board.

Erika DeLange is the Macomb County Ombudsperson representing the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). Erika works with key stakeholders, local governments, and legislators to build relationships and foster partnerships around the impact transportation has in Macomb County.

Erika received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Northern Michigan University and continues to enjoy trips to the Upper Peninsula yearly with her family.  Erika is a member of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, a graduate of Leadership Macomb XV, and a member of Shorewood Kiwanis. A Macomb County resident since 1998, she currently resides in St. Clair Shores with her husband and son, while her daughter lives nearby in Warren.

Crystal Dennis has worked in the financial services industry for over 24 years.  She has extensive experience in retail and business banking and currently holds the position as the Director of Community Development with FreeStar Financial Credit Union.  A graduate of the Detroit Public Schools, Mrs. Dennis currently holds a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Baker College of Graduate Studies.

Mrs. Dennis is active in many local organizations and currently holds several positions including an Ambassador with the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, Board Secretary with the City of Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority and President of the CPA Finance/Accounting Advisory Board.  She is also an member of Boss Evolution Womens Entrepreneur group, Eastpointe Roseville Chamber of Commerce, Shorewood Kiwanis, Amour Women and a Member of the Freestar Financial Charity Foundation Board. Mrs. Dennis is a Youth and Performing Arts Director at her church, Abundant Life Christian Church. Mrs. Dennis is a married mom of three and enjoys traveling and the art of dance.

Katie Gordon is the Public Affairs Area Manager of Michigan for WM (Waste Management). In this role, Katie primarily focuses on educating elected officials and advocating for WM at the state and local levels. 

Before joining WM, Katie worked at three separate Chambers of Commerce: Grand Rapids, Denver Metro and Clarkston, MI. In these roles, she advocated for legislative policies that attract and retain businesses in the infrastructure, environment, and health care industries.  

Katie holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University, she is the current Legislative Chair of the Michigan Waste and Recycling Association, and is on the board for MI Athena, a premier women’s leadership program in Michigan. She is also currently a participant in Leadership Detroit Cohort 45. 

Kelley Lovati received her BSA and MSA degrees from Central Michigan University and a PhD in Management with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational change from Walden University.  Kelley is an accomplished professional with a strong operations background who is well-connected throughout Macomb County. She has a wide spectrum of experience both in the public health and the corporate sector with experience in management, marketing, community outreach, event development and public speaking.  Kelley has an active membership in the American Management Association; participated in the Leadership Macomb Class XVII (2014) and Multicultural Leadership Training (2014).  Dr. Lovati is actively engaged with community groups to stimulate social change in equity for all individuals and is on the Board of Directors for Macomb Act (Active Cultural Togetherness).  Kelley was born and raised in Macomb County and truly supports Making Macomb Your Home or workplace of choice.  She is looking forward to leading the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce into its next chapter.

Megan McCandlish is a shareholder with Doeren Mayhew. She has more than 12 years of experience in accounting and audit management, specializing in working with nonprofit organizations. She is an Impact 100 Metro Detroit member and serves on the audit committee for Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Tomara Nolen is a Public Affairs Manager at DTE where she oversees their DTE Care Force volunteer program. She is a resident of Macomb County and is well connected in the region. She also has a close relationship with the DTE Foundation.

Brian is a Senior Vice President of Commercial Insurance and Risk with Kapnick Insurance Group.  At Kapnick, Brian partners with organizations to place minimize risk and reduce cost.

Founded in 1946, Kapnick Insurance is an independent advisory firm with Michigan roots and a global reach. Our 180+ colleagues provide expert guidance and creative problem-solving pertaining to business insurance, risk solutions, employee benefits, worksite well-being, and personal insurance to a vast and diverse base of clients worldwide. For over 76 years, companies and individuals have looked to Kapnick as a trusted advisor, providing solutions that protect their operations and employees.

Brian is a proud graduate of Central Michigan University, where he completed his undergraduate degree and Walsh College, where he completed his Masters of Business Administration. Brian is actively involved in community organizations: Advancing Macomb, Walsh College Foundation Board, Walsh College Trustee.

Melissa Roy’s public affairs career spans 25 years working with private, public and non-profit organizations. Designing projects through a confluence of public affairs, public relations, public policy, marketing, branding and economic development projects, all built on strong relationships, she has been able to forge new paths in the communications field and helped connect the right stakeholders to critical projects.

With Roy Public Affairs, Melissa has developed and implemented strategies for clients across Michigan ranging from non-profits, local governments, institutions and private sector businesses.

Prior to starting Roy Public Affairs Management, Melissa launched Advancing Macomb, the community’s foundational business and community leadership organization, focused on raising the profile of and philanthropic investment in the community’s assets.

Immediately prior, she served in the public sector as Assistant County Executive for Macomb County, directing public affairs for County Executive Mark Hackel’s office. In this role, she led communications management and strategy; local, regional, state, and federal public policy development and relationship management. She centralized the county’s communications structure, developing the County’s digital and social media platform, and launched the communications structure for the newly-implemented county government structure.

Melissa started her career with the Detroit Regional Chamber leading advocacy and policy development focused on economic development.

Melissa has served on the board of directors for industry and local organizations. Currently, she serves on the boards of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Six Rivers Land Conservancy and Detroit PBS, where she is currently serving as chair. She is the past chair of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation), past president of the Detroit Intermodal and Ocean Freight Association and has served on the boards for the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, Detroit Artists Market, Community Legal Resources, and the Eight Mile Boulevard Association. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Jim Sawyer became the sixth president of Macomb Community College on July 1, 2017. During his fifteen years at Macomb, he has served as the Dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Vice Provost for Career Programs, and Provost and Senior Vice President for the Learning Unit. Prior to joining Macomb Community College, Jim held leadership positions in engineering, quality, and operations at companies such as Chrysler, Dana, Ancor and New Haven Foundry. Jim is an American Society for Quality Certified Quality Engineer and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University, a Master of Science in Administration and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University. Jim currently serves on the boards of Leadership Macomb, St. John Providence Hospital, Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development, Advancing Macomb, Michigan Design Council and the American Society of Body Engineers Foundation.

Max Schuster is the director of project development for Barton Malow Company. He has been with Barton Malow in project management and engineering capacities for more than 17 years. He actively supports Turning Point Macomb and serves on the Michigan Energy Innovators Business Council Board. Schuster is a graduate of Fraser High School and currently resides in Fraser.

Sumaiya Ahmed Sheikh has dedicated her career to advancing New American and underserved communities, strengthening civic engagement, and shaping political strategy through innovative marketing and communications. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kalasho Education & Youth Services, where she leads initiatives that empower newcomers and youth through mental health and wellness, education, mentorship, and advocacy.

Previously, Sumaiya served as Head of Engagement for Appointments in the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where she played a pivotal role in ensuring diverse representation across state leadership. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles as Executive Director of the Oakland County Democratic Party, Director of Michigan’s Campus Vote Project, Communications Director at Emgage, and Executive Director of the Michigan Community Council – positions through which she consistently championed equity, inclusion, and access for underrepresented communities.

Sumaiya currently serves on the National Advisory Council of the AAPI Victory Fund and as a Senior Advisor to Emgage, continuing her commitment to advancing representation and civic empowerment on a national scale. She has organized impactful community events, built strong interfaith partnerships, and worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of underserved populations.
Her leadership and dedication have earned her recognition as one of both Macomb and Oakland County’s 40 Under 40, honoring her contributions to political and community organizing. Beyond her professional work, Sumaiya finds joy in family life. She resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with her husband, Hassan, and their three sons – Hamza, Ali, and Isa.

Jeff Simek is the general manager of RCO Engineering, where he leads Aerospace and Automotive operations. He serves on the board of directors for the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) and FIRST Robotics. Simek is passionate about efforts to build the talent pipeline and enhance Macomb County. RCO Engineering recently received the Macomb Business Award for a leader in Diversification.

Ellen Wood is the chief human resources officer of Lipari Foods. She is a highly skilled leader with expertise in human resources, organizational development and talent management. She previously held senior leadership roles at Thyssenkrupp and GM. She succeeds Thom Lipari, president of Lipari Foods, who served on the Advancing Macomb Board of Directors for eight years.

Stacy Ziarko serves as the President and CEO of Connect Macomb (formerly the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry). She brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of fundraising, strategic planning, and non-profit management in addition to her relationships with a wide range of business, non-profit and community leaders. She is also a life-long resident of Macomb County.