Cheryl, Board Chair, is a developer focused on repurposing buildings using "green" practices. After developing LEED Platinum projects in California, she returned to where she grew up and restored the Historic Suttons Bay Stone Schoolhouse. Cheryl spent 20 years in travel technology, and over 10 years in nonprofit fundraising. She recently restored an 1890 lodge near Suttons Bay, to be used as a yoga and executive retreat, named The Lee Point Retreat.

Julie is CEO of Public Sector Consultants, one of the state’s most respected public policy firms. She has led groundbreaking research on electric reliability and capacity, created and managed multimillion-dollar nonprofits and facilitated the governor’s 21-Century Infrastructure Commission. In addition to her broad corporate leadership duties, Julie manages the firm’s energy and environment practice and PSC’s new lines of business in marketing and communications, program management, and implementation.

Betsy is a fifth-generation Traverse City native and is currently an owner / director of the RE/MAX Bayshore real estate brokerage and Brick & Corbett real estate team. She brings 15 years’ experience in growing real estate brands, managing teams, and selling real estate, with an expertise in business development, brand strategy, and marketing. Betsy's passion for connecting people and building relationships in pursuit of stronger communities ties in perfectly with Groundwork.

Jean Kerver, PhD, MSc, RD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University (MSU). As a nutritional epidemiologist and a registered dietitian, Kerver has spent her career developing effective ways to promote health and well-being for families living in poverty or facing other challenges. Dr. Kerver’s position in Traverse City, Michigan, is part of an innovative new model designed to place faculty in rural communities where MSU educates medical students, with the primary goal of developing a community-driven research agenda.

Martha has been retired for eight years from a career in health and human service administration and development, including a long tenure at Planned Parenthood of Northern Michigan. While making time for a variety of recreation pursuits in and around her Harbor Springs home, Martha volunteers for several human service and environmental organizations. The cause that currently occupies most of her attention is working to bring public transit to Emmet County. She is hopeful that Emmet will soon join all the other northern Michigan counties that have public transit systems.

Michael Lyman, Board Treasurer, is the North America Strategy and Consulting Leader for Accenture, a Fortune 500 company that specializes in Strategy and Technology Consulting. In this role at Accenture, Michael works with C-Suite executives to innovate and develop digital strategies that transform their organizations. He leads Accenture’s Open Innovation and Sustainability Practices, with material contributions to World Economic Foundation research. Michael is passionate about innovation and education. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Illinois, including two terms as chairman.

Bill Milliken was elected as a trustee and serves as vice-chair of the board of Washtenaw Community College. He was 2013 president of Michigan Realtors, currently has a seat on their board—and is broker/owner of Milliken Realty Co., the Ann Arbor commercial real estate brokerage firm he founded in 1996. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Bill to a 6-year term on the Mackinac Bridge Authority, where he serves as vice-chair. He served as president of the Commercial Board of REALTORS@; a director of Republic Bancorp, board chair of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce and of Michigan Planned Parenthood.

Denis is a partner in the law firm of McCalla, Raymer, Leibert, Pierce, a Chicago real-estate law firm, and the founder and president of the Pierce Family Charitable Foundation. His foundation works primarily with helping to solve the problems of homelessness in Chicago. He is also a supporter of a number of environmental and community organizations in the Traverse City area. He summers on Glen Lake.

Lauren is the principal public interest environmental attorney at Teichner Law in Traverse City. She concentrates on local and statewide environmental law, land use and zoning law, and municipal law. She engages in strategic advocacy and community lawyering on behalf of individuals, citizens groups, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders who are both actively defending fragile environmental resources and enhancing sustainability practices. Lauren is dedicated to safeguarding the health, accessibility, and preservation of natural resources during this pivotal moment for our planet.

Hans, Executive Director, keeps Groundwork effective by collaborating with staff on program strategy, cultivating relationships with key allies, and working with the Board, donors, and foundations to strengthen financial health. Hans’ longtime leadership makes him a credible spokesman and partner for the economic power of sustainable communities.

Dandan Zhu is an entrepreneur with a background in sustainable agriculture, real estate, financial planning and finance. She has a proven track record in local agriculture business, farm-to-table food production, and real estate and property management. Dandan is the owner of Anavery Fine Foods, a diversified livestock enterprise dedicated to supplying the local community with premium-quality, economically accessible products, while upholding a commitment to sustainable agriculture. She is also the owner of Coast Stay Property, a vacation rental consulting and management team.