HEATHER GREEN
President
MYLead became an integral part of Heather’s life story when she attended as a high school sophomore in 2004. Since then, she has held various roles, serving as a Conference Co-Chair, Communications Director, and President. She returns to the Corporate Board as President, eager to champion and mentor the future leaders of the MYLead community. A graduate of GVSU, Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Communications and a Master of Arts in Communication. By day, Heather is a Senior AI Product Owner at BDO, and outside of work, she cherishes her time spent with her husband Ben, their kiddo Charlie, and her pit bull, Ro.
NOLAN VANWORMER
Conference Co-Chairperson and Director of IT
Nolan, a participant of MYLead in 2011, has returned to volunteer in various roles, inspired by the profound, life-changing impact the conference had on him. He is known for the unparalleled vibrance and enthusiasm he brings to the conferences. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, and is now an Engineering Supervisor for McNaughton-McKay Electric. Nolan proudly mentors FIRST Robotics team 818, and when he isn’t volunteering, you can probably find him immersed in a board game with friends, rock climbing, or playing disc golf.
KIM MITCHELL
Student Recruitment Co-Director, Conference Co-Chairperson
Kim has been involved with MYLead since 2012 when she attended as a sophomore. Since attending, Kim has served as conference alumni, group facilitator, programming intern, transportation coordinator, and is now a Student Recruitment Director and Conference Chairperson. Kim graduated from Lapeer East High School and then Lawrence Technological University with a master’s degree in Architectural Engineering. Kim has loved her time volunteering with MYLead and continues to come back every year because of the positive difference that these conferences make on so many people in MI. Outside of MYLead, Kim loves traveling, attending local events, playing board games with friends, and currently works as an Electrical Engineer at Superior Electric Great Lakes Company.
ARI BEUTLER
Conference Co Chairperson
Ari attended MYLead as a YL in 2015 and has been volunteering ever since! She has been in many roles and has specifically enjoyed her time behind the scenes in Programming. MYLead has been such a staple in Ari’s life: getting to meet so many new and interesting people from across the state and expanding her interpersonal and organizational skills. She is currently a 4th grade teacher in Ypsilanti, and enjoys getting to see all the crossover between her teaching and the MYLead conferences, which has been helpful in her own leadership journey of now holding the role of CoChair! She is from Charlotte, MI, and graduated from Michigan State University in 2021. Ari loves her greyhound, Charlie, and is a gigantic musical theater aficionado.
KODEY NICEWICZ
Conference Co-Chairperson
Kodey was a 2022 conference participant and has returned every year since holding the roles of Conference Alumni (CA) and Conference Alumni Director (CAD). He now holds the role of conference Co-Chair and is excited to watch MYLead grow. Kodey graduated from Greenville Senior High School in the early college program (2025) and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry at Central Michigan University. He is involved in a research group on campus under Dr. Swarts working on an mtb (mycobacterium tuberculosis) project by synthesizing various derivatives that can be traced for drug synthesis. In his free time, Kodey is either found in the lab, studying, or spending his time with friends on campus.
CAMERON ROWLAND
Student Recruitment Co-Director
Cameron is a 2009 conference participant and has returned to volunteer in multiple roles because of the STUPENDOUS time and people he met during his conference experience. Cameron holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a Management degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Western Michigan University. Cameron’s passion is in coaching which he is lucky to do full time for FaR Out Volleyball Club as well as serving as an assistant volleyball coach at Lowell High School. In his free time, Cameron enjoys hanging with friends and finding new great places to eat!
JACQUELINE CUSTER
Secretary
Jacqueline attended MYLead as a high school sophomore in 2013 and has volunteered in a variety of roles since. In 2013, Jacqueline found a place that encouraged her to use her voice to be a leader, to encourage others, and to be herself. She continues to give back to this organization knowing that others have this same experience each year. Jacqueline was appointed the corporate board as secretary in 2021 and also continues to serve MYLead on the planning team. She graduated from Lakewood High School in 2015, the University of Michigan in 2019, and is currently obtaining her medical degree at Michigan State. Outside of these things she enjoys being outside with her dogs, traveling, and watching the sunset.
DOUG KOWALSKI
Director of Advancement
Doug began his journey with MYLead in 2022 as a GF. That first conference experience left him amazed by what YLs can achieve through this program in just a few short days. Seeing MYLead’s positive impact on todays youth and tomorrows leaders, in turn, made a powerful impact on him. He graduated from Royal Oak High School in 2007 and has since ventured far and wide, living in several different states across the US, but always seems to find his way back home to Michigan. Doug works at McNaughton-McKay Electric in Construction Sales, and in addition to MYLead, he volunteers with organizations offering children’s grief support. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, spending lazy days at home with his English Bulldog, cheering on the Detroit Lions.
CINDY ESCH
Treasurer
Cindy first became involved as a MYLead volunteer in 2014 as a Group Facilitator and has been active with the organization ever since! She was appointed Treasurer of the Corporate Board in 2021. Cindy graduated from Northwood University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree. She has worked at United Bay Community Credit Union since 2001 and is currently the Accounting Manager. Cindy likes to spend summer days on Higgins Lake and cherishes time with her stupendous children and grandchildren.
JUSTIN BABBITT
Communications Director
Justin has been involved with MYLead since 2018, beginning as a Young Leader and quickly developing a passion for student leadership and personal growth. Over the years, he has served as a Conference Alumni (CA), Conference Alumni Director (CAD), and Conference Co-Chair—dedicating himself to creating a supportive, inclusive environment for students across Michigan for the past eight years. A 2020 graduate of Fraser High School, Justin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Science Education from Michigan State University in 2024. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration at MSU, expected to graduate in Spring 2026.Justin continues to return to MYLead each year because of the strong, uplifting community that empowers young leaders to reach their full potential. Outside of volunteering, he enjoys singing with Capital Green A Cappella and cheering on Michigan State athletic teams.
JULIE DARTT
GFWC Liaison
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs(GFWC) is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC members transform lives each day, not simply with monetary donations, but with hands-on tangible projects that provide immediate impact and a grassroots approach that often thinks locally but impacts globally. We see this approach realized through Julie Dartt of GFWC Millington’s service as the liaison between our organizations – and the many ways that the GFWC has championed MYLead’s mission over the years.
ALEX BALMACEDA
Community Advisor
Alex first attended MYLead as a high school sophomore in 2015 and instantly fell in love with its uplifting and empowering environment. Since then, she has returned each year in various roles, including Conference Alumni (CA), Group Facilitator (GF), Workshop Facilitator, Programming Director, and Community Board President. MYLead’s lasting impact on Alex’s own leadership journey drives her to continue to give back and help today’s young leaders grow. Alex is passionate about strengthening the MYLead community to create lasting alumni connections. She is a proud University of Michigan alum with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Information Science. Outside of MYLead, Alex supports local arts initiatives, performing in and assisting with production tasks for The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast performance at the Michigan Theater. In her free time, Alex enjoys baking, creative projects, and playing with her dog, Beans!
JENNA GADILLE
Member-At-Large
Jenna (she/her) started volunteering with MYLead in 2013. She was originally struck by the strong sense of community from the conference, and has since served in multiple roles, with this year being her first on the Corporate Board as a Member-at-Large. Jenna holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Long Island University. Outside of volunteering, she enjoys acro yoga, singing in her local Swedish choir, playing board games, and cuddling with her two cats, Cherry and Willow.
