Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors represents best-in-class leaders from across Michigan’s private and public sectors. Each member is committed to developing an emerging workforce that Michigan employers can be proud to hire.
Jeff Swears
Chair
Jeff Swears is a performance-driven, strategic leader with significant financial acumen and proven success in complex, international and highly competitive business environments. Jeff started his...
Elaine Wood
Vice Chair
Elaine Wood has 42 years of experience in education, management and strategic leadership in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Networks Northwest...
Barbara Anderson
Secretary
Barbara Anderson received a B.S. degree in biology from Cornell University in 1979 and her Juris Doctorate Degree (cum laude) from the University of Toledo in 1986. During law school, Barb was admitted to...
Justice Maura Corrigan
Emeritus Board Member
The Honorable Maura Corrigan served as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 2004 through 2011. A graduate of Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan and the University of Detroit Law School, Chief Justice Corrigan got her legal start clerking in the Michigan Court of Appeals...
Orrin Bailey
Orrin Bailey joined the Kinexus team as Chief Financial Officer beginning in 2017. Prior to Kinexus, Orrin served as the CEO of the UPWARD Talent Council – the Michigan Works! for the Upper Peninsula...
Edythe Copeland
Edythe, "Edee," Copeland is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Area Michigan Works!, one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies throughout the state, and recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as a model...
Roger Curtis
Roger Curtis is a results-driven, thoughtful leader with a significant understanding of the required coordination and cooperation of talent between employers and educators. Roger is the newly named...
Dr. Sarah Elmouchi
Dr. Sarah Elmouchi received both her undergraduate degree and her medical degree from the University of Michigan. She completed her pediatric and chief residencies...
Todd Gustafson
Todd Gustafson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinexus, has transformed the non-profit organization into a nationally recognized, leading-edge business, workforce, and community development asset impacting...
Vail Harding
Vail Harding currently serves as Director of Operations for Vail Rubber Works, Inc., a fifth-generation family corporation located in St. Joseph, Michigan. In his role, Vail...
Sam Singh
Sam Singh received a B.S. degree in history from Michigan State University in 1994. Shortly after graduating, Sam enrolled in the Michigan Political Leadership Fellowship Program at Michigan State University...
Kevin Stotts
Kevin Stotts serves as President of Talent 2025, an organization driven to ensuring a diverse and talented workforce for West Michigan...
John Kaczynski
John L. Kaczynski serves as the Director of Governmental Affairs at Saginaw Valley State University. In his role, he interfaces and lobbies on behalf of SVSU in Washington DC, Lansing, and throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. Since arriving at SVSU, he led the continued development of the Henry Marsh Institute for Public Policy, a local political leadership program. Also, in this role, he assisted with writing many grants which have led to the development of many other political leadership and civic development programs for college and high school students.
Since 2004, John has worked on various policy projects for state & local government in Michigan. These projects have included a transportation project for the City of Cadillac, a brownfield redevelopment project for the City of Grand Haven, strategic planning sessions for the City of Saginaw, and facilitating community surveys for both the City of Bay City and City of Midland. He has also worked on policy projects for Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and for the Office of the Governor of Michigan.
John currently serves on the Great Lakes Bay Region Workforce Development Board, the City of Frankenmuth Planning Commission and the Kochville Township Downtown Development Authority Board. Mr. Kaczynski holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. He is also a Doctoral Candidate in the Higher Education Administration Program at Michigan State University. John resides in Michigan’s Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth with his spouse, Martha.
Tarence Wheeler
Tarence Wheeler is a highly respected professional with over 20 years of experience in community relations and philanthropic activities, specializing in community and corporate partnerships and relationship building. He currently serves as the Director of Corporate & Community Affairs for the River Rouge School District. He is a former Mayoral Appointee, serving as the community relations liaison for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit.
Mr. Wheeler has extensive experience in community outreach, mentoring, and fostering partnerships to support educational achievement. He developed a sports philanthropy firm that specialized in the creation and management of non-profit organizations for athletes and entertainers and his greatest passion is in helping to enrich the lives of at-risk young people in communities throughout the city of Detroit. He created the All-Star Giveback organization to help alleviate non-academic barriers for children and families and is often seen speaking and motivating young people at Detroit-area schools.
Mr. Wheeler graduated from Southwestern High School. He received a basketball scholarship to Arizona State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. He serves on various boards including: Vanguard Community Development Corporation, Detroit Public Television, and the Salvation Army Board.