Meet our Board
We’re a group of local parents and community leaders who are passionate about children and families, working together to create the Grand Haven Children’s Museum.
Board President
Rachel Dody, MHA
Founder, Grand Haven Children’s Museum
Rachel has her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from GVSU, a bachelor’s in Psychology from Hope College, and has worked for Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, West Michigan Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Access Health, and 1 in 21 Healthy Muskegon County.
She founded and organized the Muskegon Street Performers community event series, and has served on the board of The Little Red House.
Board Vice President
Jennie Nowak, LMSW
Director of Population Health Activation, Priority Health
Jennie is a population health leader who currently serves as Director of Population Health Activation for Priority Health. She has worked for the Corewell Health/Priority Health system for the past 10 years.
Jennie’s passion in her career is focusing on early childhood and maternal health with a focus on reducing disparities and optimizing outcomes. Jennie has spent time in direct care for children with special needs, school social work, early head start and population health for medically complex children.
Board Secretary
Tiffany VanderKolk
Attorney, Scholten Fant
Tiffany has served the law firm of Scholten Fant as a Labor, Employment, and Litigation Attorney for the past 4 years.
She graduated from West Virginia University College of Law and has 10 years experience practicing law.
Board Treasurer
Grant Veurink, CPA
Director of Global Finance, Shape Corp.
Grant is Director of Global Finance at Shape Corp., with more than fifteen years of progressive accounting and management experience. He is a key member of Shape’s leadership team, overseeing all aspects of accounting in a growing global company.
Grant graduated from Calvin University with his bachelor’s of science in Accountancy.
Martha Bottomley
Retired Executive Director, Volunteer Muskegon
Martha served as the Executive Director of Volunteer Muskegon and Youth Volunteer Corp Program Director for 17 years.
She has an extensive background with non-profits and community, including serving on her neighborhood association board for 11 years, AmeriCorps service, and working as a costumer for Muskegon Community College’s theater department for 25 years. Martha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.
Dr Alison Fox, MD
Physician, Port City Pediatrics
Dr. Alison Fox is a board certified Pediatrician and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who has served West Michigan children and families in her role at Port City Pediatrics for the past 14 years.
Dr. Fox completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, obtained her Doctor of Medicine Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and completed her Residency training at William Beaumont Hospital Department of Pediatrics in Royal Oak, MI.
Gabrielle Gerlach
CEO, Muskegon YMCA
Gabrielle is the new CEO of the Muskegon YMCA, having served the organization as COO and Executive Director for the past 5 years, focusing on fiscal management and development.
She has an additional 10 years of recreation management and teaching experience. She graduated from Frostburg State University with her Master’s in Management degree.
Elizabeth Griffin
Youth Services Librarian, Loutit District Library
Elizabeth is an experienced youth services librarian, passionate advocate for early literacy, former preschool educator, and talented presenter of children’s programming.
She has a Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan, with specialization in library and information services and school library media.
Kelly Grimes
Retired Elementary Teacher, Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Kelly is recently retired from her successful 32 year career as an elementary educator at Griffin Elementary School. In 2016, Griffin School was proudly recognized as a prestigious ‘National Blue Ribbon School’.
Presently, Kelly is looking forward to applying her extensive knowledge and expertise to this wonderful opportunity to enhance our surrounding communities.
Kelly earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Western
Michigan University.
Kim McLaughlin
Educator and Tri-Cities Preschool Roundtable Facilitator
Kim McLaughlin has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Elementary Education from DePaul University. She currently is the facilitator for the Tri-Cities Preschool Roundtable, a member of the Spring Lake Schools Foundation and parent liaison on the Spring Lake Curriculum Advisory Committee.
Kim’s passion for education is evident in everything she does. She was previously the Director of the Tri-Cities College Access Network and Educational Initiatives Officer at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Prior to returning to the Tri-Cities, Kim taught middle school in Chicago, Illinois.