ACCENT ON ALUMNI
Alumni Highlights
Nik Apostolides, CNM '98, reports that he is beginning a new job at the National Gallery of Art as the Associate Manager for Planning & Budget in the Office of the Treasurer. He has been pursuing a career in nonprofit management after completing his CNM at the Mandel Center -- always with an interest in working at the National Gallery of Art where his career began. Nik will be responsible for all aspects of the Gallery's budget.
Robin David Bauer, MNO '97, is the new executive director for Brecksville Center for the Arts.
Yvonne M. Brake, MNO '01, and Yvette McMillan, MNO '01, have been selected as two of the recipients of the prestigious Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award for 2008. They were recognized at the 18th Annual Harold K. Stubbs Awards Banquet on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Akron/Fairlawn Hilton hotel. The award was established in 1991 in honor of Judge Harold K. Stubbs who during his lifetime gave generously to the community in terms of time, talents, and resources. The award recognizes individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others through their work in the following areas: business, education, government, law, politics, religion, and social concerns. Both Yvonne and Yvette have been selected to be featured in the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery as African American Pioneers of Akron, Ohio for their work at Haven of Rest Ministries. Yvonne will also be featured in the exhibit as founder and executive director of Because He Cares Ministry. The exhibit is located at the University of Akron. In addition, Yvonne's bio has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who in America - 2008 edition.
Christie Yonkers Chicotel, MNO '01, has been working as the Associate Director of Towards Employment since August 2006. She and her husband are expecting their second child in June.
Shelley Fishbach, MNO '07, has accepted a position in community planning at the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. She will be researching and identifying community needs and facilitating solutions in the areas of housing for those with special needs and Jewish identity and affiliation.
Marina Corleto Friedman, MNO '07, is still at Case Western Reserve University, but as of November 2007, she moved into fundraising as the director of annual giving for the School of Law. Previously, she was director of publications and communications.
Phyllis Harris, MNO '05, obtained a new position in November 2007 as Director, Capital Campaign with the Cleveland Sight Center. Previously, Phyllis spent four valuable years with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland as Vice President of Programs and, later, Interim President/CEO. In her current position with the Cleveland Sight Center, Phyllis is working on the "Fund for the Future" campaign, to provide building improvements and increased services for people who are blind and vision impaired. Phyllis enjoys community work, quality time with her family, and is a dedicated mentor/Big Sister to her Little Sister Patricia.
Christopher Johansen, MBA/CNM '96, launched a new service for community associations at www.VillageManager.net. Village Manager helps homeowners associations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, and property associations manage the people, property, and businesses of their communities. Village Manager offers free accounts for any village that wants to organize and grow its community. Christopher is conducting research about communities and publishing them at the website wwww.eightpoints.com.
Matt Johnson, CNM '98, changed positions and is now the Vice President, Fund Development at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston, IL.
Ronna Kaplan, CNM '06, was elected President-elect of the American Music Therapy Association. She will be president-elect for 2008-2009, president from 2010-2011, and past president from 2012-2013.
Lucinda Lavelli, MNO '91, was elected to vice-president of the Florida Higher Education Arts Network. She is the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida.
Charles Lawrence, MNO '93, formerly of The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, Ohio, was appointed President & CEO of The Cleveland Music School Settlement in May of 2007. Those wishing to contact him at The Settlement can e-mail clawrence@thecmss.org or call (216) 231-5075.
Sarah Masters, MNO '95, is the new Membership Coordinator of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, in Arlington, VA.
Lee Melius, MNO '98, has been appointed Executive Director of Grand River Partners, Inc., a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preserving the water quality of the Grand River, Ashtabula River, and Conneaut Creek by protecting the lands and headwater streams in their watersheds.
Christie Chipps Peters, MNO '05, had quite a great 2007! She was married to David M. Peters on September 22 and promoted to the Executive Director of the Heritage Humane Society in Williamsburg, VA.
Ralph Pitman, CNM '01, received training through High/Scope Educational Research Foundation in training professional youth workers in skills related to improving quality outcomes in youth development. He would be glad to discuss the training and possible applications with interested alumni:
Ralph W. Pitman
Support To At Risk Teens
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
1468 W. 25th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216-696-8770
Michelle Melin-Rogovin, NCNM '98, is the Center Manager for the Community Engaged Research Center of the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. The Community-Engaged Research Center is committed to improving community health by facilitating research partnerships with Chicago-area community-based organizations, community-based clinicians and Northwestern University faculty, ensuring that advances from the bench to the bedside also benefit the Chicago-area community. Michelle manages the financial, human resource and grant-related activities of the center, including oversight of program and center budgets, with primary responsibility for administering grants and subcontracts. She also monitors and maintains human subject protections at all CERC research sites, and fosters communications through print publications, seminars and the NUCATS website to educate and update audiences about CERC and its programs. Feel free to contact Michelle at m-melin-rogovin@northwestern.edu.
Linda (Darling) Mihalik, MNO '92, is the Development Manager at The North American Menopause Society (www.menopause.org).
Martha V. Sivertson, MNO - Exec. '06, received a CVA (Certification for Volunteer Administration) in November 2007.
Gina Verdi, MNO '05, started a new job this January: Manager of Marketing & Events at New Dance Group (NDG). Their offices are located near Times Square on West 38th St. in Manhattan. NDG, established in 1932, is a nonprofit performing arts center supporting individual artistic growth (www.ndg.org).
Gayle Franciene Williams, MNO/JD '00, is engaged to Gregory D. Byers. The wedding is scheduled for Saturday June 14, 2008 at 11am (Beulah Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio).
Kyan (Donaldson) Zeller, MNO '98, is the Associate Director, Corporate Relations, at Michigan State University.
If you are a Mandel Center alum and would like to have an announcement featured in this portion of Nonprofit E-Notes, email Nicole Rothstein at njr6@case.edu - be sure to send your name, degree and graduation year, as well as the information you would like to have included in the next issue.
