OUR STAFF

Kimberly Akin
Executive Director

I am excited to be a part of The Otsego County United Way as the Executive Director.

I was first introduced to the Otsego United Way at the Power of the Purse Event and remembered being amazed at the event's uniqueness, the kind, generous people, and the overall mission that the organization was working to carry out. Immediately I could see that the mission drove the staff, volunteers, and board, and all had hearts for service.

I bring 25 years of municipal and non-profit experience to this position, including fundraising, community relations, strategic planning, marketing, and board relations. I am tenacious in pursuing what is right, which is why I feel so called to this position and take my role of supporting the mission daily in all that I do seriously.

As I look to the organization's future and how we can continue to grow to meet the needs of our neighbors, I plan to build on the foundation that Erin Mann and her staff have solidly built to this point. I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know Erin and work with her over the past month. Her continued dedication to the organization and those we serve and her role as a mentor to me are invaluable.

Otsego County is a resilient community that has overcome so much in the last few years. I am humbled by the collaboration I already see and feel here and energized by the challenges ahead. I will continue to work daily to improve lives by mobilizing the LARGE caring power of communities around the county and the world to advance the common good.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you – our donors, volunteers, community partners, and neighbors.

Addie Imfeld
Marketing and Communications Director

I recently graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor Degree of Applied Arts with a Concentration in Recreation and Event Management. I joined the United Way team in August 2022, and I am very excited to learn, grow, and to work with a wonderful community.

I have a passion for community and helping others. Since I was a child, I have been a volunteer with various organizations, it has been a staple in my life. At CMU, I was the Community Outreach Chair for the Association of Recreation and Event Professionals. I coordinated all volunteer opportunities for our members, and helped build our community network. I find working with community members, and volunteering alongside them, is what fills my heart with joy and content.

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, I moved to Mount Pleasant, Michigan in 2018, to pursue higher education. Over the past year I have spent every weekend in Northern Michigan, before officially moving here in May 2022. I have fallen in love with the Northern Michigan community, atmosphere, and beauty. I am an avid reader, enjoy the outdoors, and spend my time with family and friends.

Pamm Quinn
Operations Manager

My husband, Ken and I have been residents of Gaylord for almost 30 years. We have loved raising our four children here in the Gaylord area. We enjoy all the different activities we can do with each of the season’s Northern Michigan offers. I actually grew up spending time in Gaylord every summer at my grandparents property. I always felt that my grandfather had a role in my decision to make Gaylord my home.

My background is in sales and business administration. I previously owned and operated Great Northern Rentals. We provided property management in Otsego County for 13 years.

Being involved in nonprofits has always been important to me. I served two terms on the Special Olympics Michigan Board of Directors focusing on their Development and Marketing Committees.

I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to work for my community. My work as the Operations Manager supports all the great efforts of our team at the Otsego County United Way and our community partners. It amazes me each day when I get to work to see all the efforts of the volunteers and staff joining together to assist all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives.

Melissa McDonnell
START Navigator

I have recently accepted my position as the START (Services, Tools, Assistance, Resources, Talents) Navigator with Otsego County United Way. I am eager to begin my work to assist in the development of feasible community solutions to assure that Otsego County is prepared to answer when disaster, crisis or emergencies are encountered. I look forward to being a part of developing solutions for Otsego County which can lead to continued prosperity in our area.

I relocated to Northeast Michigan in 2018 and have found nothing but endless opportunities to grow! My husband and I have a beautiful blended family with nine children. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching football in the Fall and on the lake in the Summer.

I previously worked for Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium in two different capacities, one as the Business Resource Network Liaison and the other as Business Solutions Professional for Otsego and Montmorency Counties. My background also includes work in the Early Childhood Education field and mental health field.

Laurie Andrews
RSVP Director

I am the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Director at Otsego County United Way. I have the pleasure of working with a variety of people who have a passion for helping others in a variety of volunteer placements, including
Otsego County Food Pantry, Medical Transportation (1:1 driver/patient transports to medical appointments), the TACKLE Cancer Van that takes patients to their daily radiation treatments, and Tool Time - a group of handymen who perform "honey-do" tasks for the elderly, homebound, and disabled. We partner with about 55 non-profit stations where we annually provide upwards of 30,000 hours of volunteer service each
year in Otsego County alone.

Following the EF3 force tornado that hit out small community on 5/20/22, Otsego County United Way staff and subsequently the volunteers in RSVP and the Volunteer Center united as "mission central" for tornado relief efforts. Our small non-profit
continues to provide ongoing relief to all of those who were impacted by not only the tornado, but also in a multitude of different ways every day. Our volunteers step up to
help, signifying their devotion to giving back to their community in all times of need.

I am proud to be a part of the umbrella of services that are coordinated through Otsego County United Way. Our staff is excellent at networking to help those in looking for services with its array of close partnerships with other agencies. It is a natural fit for me to work with the Otsego County United Way and RSVP.

Alice McPherson
RSVP Volunteer Coordinator

Alice McPherson has lived with her family in the Gaylord area for the past 22 years. She recently retired from a teaching position with the East Jordan Public Schools. Alice is looking forward to working with the staff at the Otsego County United Way and the volunteers in the Gaylord area.

She has a passion for wanting to help make a difference in her community. Her husband, Scott, works for the City of Boyne City. Together, they have two daughters – both currently students at Michigan State University. She enjoys reading, gardening, and camping.

Jill McKinley
RSVP Volunteer Coordinator

I started with the United Way in May, three days before the tornado. It was such an uncertain time for so many in our community. It has been an honor to see how quickly this community responded with donations and support.

I have transferred over to R.S.V.P. working as the Volunteer Coordinator with Alice McPherson. I am enjoying the time I have spent, thus far, working with all of the dedicated volunteers. I look forward to growing with this organization and help to bring volunteers to exactly where they are needed in this community.

I was born and raised right here in Gaylord. My husband Kevin and I have a very busy household. We have 7 children who are involved in sports and all sorts of extra activities. I loved being a stay at home mom for the last 9 years but I am so happy for this opportunity to work with the OCUW staff and share my time and talents to help as many people as I can. In my spare time I love to cook, read and do all sorts of art and craft projects.