Hero Story

Sherry has accomplished a lot in her long professional and volunteer career. She's risen from the ranks of a newly minted Master's of Social Work degree holder to become the CEO of one of the largest nonprofit social services agencies in Southwest Michigan. She's helped launch new programs and expand existing ones that have provided critical assistance to thousands of children, families, and individuals here in our community of Kalamazoo and beyond. She's managed, trained, and nurtured hundreds of employees, worked with and served on countless boards of directors, and helped pull more that one beloved but failing institution back from the brink of collapse. She's managed complex governmental budgets, fundraised millions of dollars, and saw to it that inner-city kids go to summer camp. She's established strong, collaborative relationships with local, state, and national thought leaders, served elbow to elbow with neighborhood volunteers, and held the hands of desperate mothers seeking food and shelter for their child. She's overcome complex foundational challenges, directed cross-functional teams, devoted endless hours to volunteer service and community collaborations, and stayed late until every job was done. All the while advocating for countless good causes and the people they serve. Sherry earned many accolades and acknowledgements. Yet, she would trade them all in if it meant that one child, one family, or one individual in crisis could find some peace and dignity. What I most admire and respect about her is her unwavering dedication and commitment to her husband, her family and God. Sherry has made and will continue to make significant contributions to our community and beyond. Her accomplishments as a human-services professional and volunteer is unsurpassed. She is a leader among leaders and a role model for others, especially women. And especially women of color, which is something I believe strongly about. Sherry is precisely the type of person that was created to honor. Sherry stated, "I have a hardwired need to collaborate, strategize, innovate and create win-win long lasting solutions. My hope is that I have contributed to stronger relationships with community partners in order to develop new and/or expanded services to clients so they can benefit from being a part of this community". Sherry has served on over seventy boards, workgroups, task force, and committees over her career locally, regionally and at the state level.