Meet Our Board Members
We are thrilled to introduce you to our board members! Get to know the faces that are making a positive impact on Muskegon and the surrounding communities, working together to promote a healthier future for all. Our diverse team brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and expertise to the table. Each member’s unique background and experience adds to our vibrant tapestry of ideas and insights. Together, we share a passion for a healthier, more equitable community, and we look forward to serving you!
Jacquelinn Rickets
Chief Operating Officer at Servicios de Esperanza
Jacquelinn is the chief operating officer at Servicios de Esperanza, LLC (Service of Hope). She has a Bachelor of Science with an Accounting focus from Baker College in 2011 and an Associate Degree in computerized math. Joining SDE in March 2019, she brought a vast knowledge base from over 20 years of experience as the administrative backbone of small agencies, nonprofits, and businesses; such as Financial Director and office manager of 2 non-profits, a travel agency, and a hotel.
Myrna Olsen
Resident
Myrna Alberca-Olsen was born, raised and educated in the Philippines as well as in the United States.
She earned her education degree, major in history and minor in English and also took graduate studies in behavioral sciences in the Philippines. She obtained her master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Additionally, Myrna worked as a teacher in the Philippines for a number of years at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the largest state university in the Philippines. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia she was the ID Chief for the United States Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM) under the supervision of the United States Department of Defense. She became an Administrative Assistant for the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Agriculture and Water under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. After coming back to the United States, she worked for a small family resort business for 18 years.
Marria McIntosh
Downtown Neighborhood Association President
Marria T. McIntosh is a passionate community leader who is invested in justice and is working to spearhead change in her hometown of Muskegon, Michigan. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Cornerstone University and is Regional Operational Director for Main Street Loan Fund. She worked as a Human Services Specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services before branching out as a community organizer. She now serves as the President and CEO of Thredz.org as well as the Lead Community Organizer for 3N1Community (Hope·Access·Purpose in 1 Community); The Community Engagement Arm of Thredz.org.
Shauna Hunter
Executive Director at Pathfinders of Muskegon
Shauna has extensive experience in human services and non-profit productivity. She has been a community advocate for women of Domestic Violence, women transitioning from prison, and suicide prevention in Muskegon County for many years. Before accepting the executive director position at Pathfinders, she served as the site coordinator at Pathfinders for the last three years, where she has formed many relationships with participants and community leaders while implementing many ideas that contributed to the youth programming and day-to-day productivity. Her tenure at Pathfinders also includes establishing a social media marketing campaign that gave Pathfinders a platform and presence online while connecting with the community.
Melissa Moore
Executive Director at Read Muskegon
Melissa Moore has over 25 years of nonprofit management experience focused on positive youth development, environment, and education. She had been the Executive Director of Read Muskegon since 2013. During that time, she has helped to expand the organization’s menu of services, created a countywide literacy collaborative, and established Read Muskegon’s headquarters in Muskegon Heights which acts as a literacy hub for Muskegon County.
Jocelyn Hines
Founder, Member and Community Leader at Muskegon Young Black Professionals
Jocelyn has a heart for civic engagement and community service where she spends a lot of her free time volunteering. She is the Founder/Chair of Muskegon Young Black Professionals – an organization dedicated to provide social and professional development resources to professionals of color. She is also a board member of United Way of the Lakeshore, a core member of the Health Equity Council, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta. Faith is also important to Jocelyn, and she enjoys serving in her local church. Jocelyn has won several awards including the 2022 Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 under 40, 2022 West MI Works 20 under 30, 2019 Governor’s Service Award for Youth Volunteer of the Year, and Class of 2018 Future 15.
Derek Wong
Media and Community Advocate
Derek is a multimedia specialist from Muskegon, Michigan. Derek co-manages O’Riley Media Group: The Muskegon Channel, Positively Muskegon and Channel 96 Muskegon Public Access TV – production service and media outlets that provide and promote local news, interest, and entertainment for Muskegon County. While you will rarely see him in front of the camera, there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed his work where he was behind the scenes, trying his hardest to showcase the best of Muskegon County.
Shawanna Evans
Founding Member and Youth Advocate at No Broken Chains
Born and raised in Muskegon, Shawanna is a 1998 Alumni of Muskegon High School and a graduate of Baker College of Muskegon. She’s been married for 20 years and has raised 2 handsome young men. Shawanna currently serves as a communications dispatcher at the Muskegon Sheriff’s Department . She is the founder of No Broken Chains, a non-profit organization specializes in connecting the community to support youth, create guidance, and more. She has a background in the fields of mental health, corrections, and communication, Empowering her to be a strong advocate for youth.
Shonie Blake
Access Health & Muskegon Health Equity Council Project Coordinator
A lifelong Muskegon resident, Shonie is passionate about community health. Growing up, Shonie was known for her quiet nature, but she always harbored a deep desire to help others. Her pursuit of higher education in healthcare administration equipped her with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.
In her role as a Community Health Worker and her background in healthcare administration, Shonie provided crucial support and compassionate assistance to those in need, earning the trust and respect of her community. As the Muskegon Health Equity Project Coordinator, she works tirelessly to address health disparities, ensuring marginalized individuals have access to the care they deserve. Her impact has been profound, with over $250,000 reinvested into her neighborhood through MHEC initiatives. She serves as a vital resource for those facing adversity, offering comprehensive social service assistance and lending a compassionate ear to residents in need.
Kerri Vanderhoff
Executive Director at Coalition for Community Development
Kerri VanderHoff is the executive director of the grassroots organization – Coalition for Community Development (CCD). CCD was founded in 2005 by Dr. Doris Rucks, with its focus on empowering one another and supporting a thriving community in Muskegon Heights. CCD does this through a variety of ways, including beautification, community and school gardens, library support and literacy programs, and collaboration with neighborhood associations and other organizations.
Small but mighty, CCD was selected as the first grant recipient by the newly formed LEAD Giving Circle of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, to recognize is for ongoing work in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
A’Yonna Ray
Community Engagement Coordinator Muskegon CHIR
A’Yonna is a Community Engagement Coordinator for the Community Health Innovation Region (CHIR) Muskegon County through Access Health. She leads community outreach and engagement to empower community-driven action. A’Yonna’s core areas of focus are the Muskegon Heights Economic Opportunity Initiative, Livability Lab (Muskegon’s 100-Day Challenge), and the Health Equity Council.
Prior to Access Health, she attended Ferris State University for 4 years and majored in Nursing. A’Yonna is a native of Muskegon, Michigan, graduating from Orchard View High School in 2016. She is currently attending Muskegon Community College working toward an RN degree. A’Yonna enjoys supporting the community and building new relationships. She is on the executive board of the Muskegon Heights Neighborhood Association Council as secretary. She also works with Coalition for Community Development in Muskegon Heights as their Volunteer Coordinator.
Samantha Cornell
Director of Muskegon CHIR
Samantha serves as Director of the Community Health Innovation Region (CHIR) Muskegon County, a cross-sector collective-impact collaborative with over 120 engaged community stakeholder partners and upwards of 1,000 resident participants. Through engagement and implementation processes, including an annual multi-sector 100-day challenge, the organization accelerates community-led initiatives through an equity lens to impact barriers to health.
Samantha is dedicated to improving health outcomes and equity of care through community-based services that address the social determinants of health, with a priority focus on systems alignment and community / resident engagement. She also employs strategic and policy analysis for a community multi-share health coverage plan with 23 years of proven outcomes for small businesses and their workers, with lower costs through intentional design to foster improved access to care.