PRESIDENT: KATIE APPOLD

Katie is a life-long resident of the Tri-Cities where she lives with her husband, Chad, and their two children, Grace and Graham. Katie joined Gracious Grounds in late 2016 when she resigned from leading a West Michigan nonprofit. Katie’s professional experience includes over fifteen years in marketing and fundraising in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She owns and operates Grace Granted, a nonprofit consulting firm specializing in grant writing and development work.

Katie was recognized in 2008 as one of the Top Women in Marketing by MiBiz, has been nominated for the Lakeshore Athena award twice, and recognized as one of the Top 20 under 40 for the Tri-Cities in 2015. Katie serves on the board of the Tri-Cities YMCA and DO MORE GOOD, the organization she co-founded in 2019. Katie is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Grand Rapids Young Nonprofit Professionals, and the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce.

VICE PRESIDENT: LAUREN GOWMAN

Lauren Gowman is a bright and knowledgeable young woman who grew up in Grand Haven, Michigan. She attended Grand Haven High School, Hope College, and recently graduated with her MBA from Cornerstone University in early 2017.

Currently, Lauren serves as the Director of Operations for the Assisted Living portfolio for Heritage Property Management, which is also her family business. She is one of five current 4th generation family members to work for the company. She started working in the kitchen at age fourteen and worked her way up through various roles. Her great grandfather, Arthur Reenders, stared the business in 1946. Arthur started building single family houses, her grandpa started multifamily housing, and her dad, uncle, and aunt got into senior housing twenty-three years ago. They currently have nine assisted living communities and six independent senior community properties located around the state of Michigan.

Lauren’s relationship with Gracious Grounds started in 2016. In 2016, Sandy Baker reached out to Lauren to see if Heritage Property Management had any employment opportunities for her residents. Through this process, Lauren and Sandy created a bond that would last for years to come. “I immediately fell in love with the organization and what Sandy was providing for the community” Over the years, Lauren has had the Gracious Grounds residents to her house for a summer fire, to her parents’ house for a swim and cook out, and to a Hope College basketball game. Grand Pines Assisted Living currently employs several Gracious Grounds residents and is in walking distance from Gracious Grounds. We can not thank Lauren and her family enough for providing such wonderful opportunities for our residents!

Lauren believes that she can be an asset to Gracious Grounds because her expertise with senior living can be applied to Gracious Grounds. “We both work with vulnerable adults that need a lot of love, compassion and care.” Lauren’s main desire is to help others; therefore, she feels honored to work in her daily job and feels that being a part of the Gracious Grounds board will fill her cup even more. “I can’t wait for this journey, there are big things in store!”

SECRETARY: JENNIFER VANSKIVER

As is the experience with all the members on our Board of Trustees, my heart led me to Gracious Grounds. My heart is named, Claudia Jane. But my ever-confident daughter will be the first to tell you she prefers to be called, CJ! She is almost 17 years old – in fact, her birthday is the same day as our fundraiser this year, April 27! (Lots of reasons to celebrate.) Her journey through life with cognitive disabilities has not been easy or certain. But, she’s charted her own path using an awesome combination of resolute determination and optimism. Her future is bright, and getting even brighter because of the inclusive, forward-thinking vision of Gracious Grounds. I look forward to serving this incredible mission in every way I can for her future, the future of her peer group, and the benefits that our work will bring to our entire community.

As the Chief Communications Officer for North Ottawa Community Health System I hope to initially bring to bear my resources and network from the health care realm, as well as my gifts to help widen the circle of influence and support of Gracious Grounds as we grow to meet increasing need. I wish to thank the Board and Sandy, for the warm welcome I have received. And, I wish to thank YOU, in advance, for your continued dedication to making our community a place we can all call home.

TREASURER: ERIN LYON

Erin moved to Grand Haven immediately following high school where she quickly made it her home. Erin received her Bachelors and Master’s Degrees from Grand Valley State University and earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree from Michigan State University. Erin has been the owner of Jumpin’ Java since October of 2016, and she serves as the Corporate Compliance Officer at Sunset Retirement Communities in Jenison, as well as being a member of the Chamber Ambassadors. Erin is very active in the community and gives back as often as possible. She served as a Board Member of the Grand Haven Young Professionals for more than five years where she was the Director of the Salmon Run. She was a member of the Re-Imagination Station Capital Campaign Fundraising Committee and has helped with the Momentum Center Prom for the last two years. Erin is very much looking forward to offering her time and talents to Gracious Grounds.

MEMBER: DENNIS SWARTOUT

MEMBER: GAY COLE

MEMBER: JEFF TROUPE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: DAVID BURDO

David joined Gracious Grounds as Executive Director in June 2020 and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. In this position, David’s other duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach, serving as chief liaison with other community organizations and key constituent groups.

David’s professional career has included 15 years of leadership and law practice in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Following a 9-year career practicing law, he most recently served as the Director of Membership and Marketing, including a period as Interim Executive Director, at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA. It was during this time that he was able to fully grasp and understand the philanthropic spirit of the Tri-Cities.

David and his wife Gina live in Spring Lake with their two kids, Ethan and Emma. In their spare time, they love to camp, travel, and spend time with our family and friends. As a big believer in impacting our community through volunteerism, David is an active member of the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Club, serves on the Board of Dunegrass Healing LLC, and coaches youth hockey with the Lakeshore Chiefs.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: ROSE DUNLAP

Rose has been the Operations Director at Gracious Grounds since December of 2019 and is responsible for the direct oversight of the day-to-day operations across all three Gracious Grounds properties, focusing on several key areas; property management, resident life, family liaison, Resident Assistant collaboration, and training along with providing support for the Executive Director for fundraising and event planning.

Prior to joining Gracious grounds, Rose had a 20-year career in radio sales, marketing, and as the Director of Operations for WGHN radio and its two sister stations. Rose provides a wide scope of knowledge in organizational support, event execution, human resources, team training, community outreach, and client retention. Rose has worked alongside numerous non-profit organizations and is active in the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce.

Rose has lived in Spring Lake for almost 25 years with her husband Harold. They have two children, Aubrey and Erice. In their spare time, Rose and her husband enjoy hunting for antiques and adding to their collection of vinyl records. Rose is also a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and attends Pow Wow’s throughout the year with her family and sisters, continuing to honor their Native American traditions and beliefs.