Current Officers
President
Jessica Eiland Anders, Enterprise Community Partners
Vice President
Samra’a W. Luqman, Concerned Residents of South Dearborn
Secretary
Gerry VanAcker, Detroit Zoological Society
Treasurer
Carol Snodgrass, CPA
Member-At-Large
Mike McNulty, ITC Holdings
Immediate Past President
Laura Wagner, Ford Motor Company
Current Directors
Alice Bailey, Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc.
Paul Draus, Ph.D., University of Michigan-Dearborn
Erma Leaphart, Sierra Club
Nicholas Leonard, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center
Madelin Maher, Bank of America
Dave Norwood, Canton Township
Brandy Siedlaczek, City of Southfield
Jeremiah Steen, National Audubon Society
Myra M. Tetteh, Ph.D., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Susan Thompson, Wayne County Department of Public Service
Results of the December 14, 2023 Board Elections
Jessica Eiland Anders – elected
Alice Bailey – elected
Nicholas Leonard – elected
Madelin Maher – elected
Gerry VanAcker – elected
Committees
Descriptions
Advocacy Committee
Chaired by an internally appointed individual FOTR board member, this committee provides oversight and direction for the advocacy priorities of Friend of the Rouge. Typical task areas include setting decision making criteria, researching and recommending/drafting advocacy responses. This committee meets as needed.
Board Development Committee
Chaired by the Member-at-large, this committee meets periodically and actively engages in board member candidate identification and recruitment efforts.
Executive Committee
Chaired by the President, this committee consists of the Board Officers. They meet as necessary for the review, research, and preparation of complex or sensitive issues to be brought before the board.
Finance Committee
Chaired by the Treasurer, the finance committee provides financial oversight for the organization. Typical task areas include budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies. This committee meets at least quarterly.
Fund Development
Chaired by the Vice-President, this committee investigates and implements fundraising strategies to support the goals of the organization. This committee oversees fundraising events and takes a takes a leadership role in advancing the organization’s fundraising strategies. This committee meets bi-monthly.
- Fundraiser(s) Sub-committee
- This event-specific subcommittee meets periodically and/or in conjunction with fund development meetings to plan and coordinate annual fundraising event(s). This committee meets as needed.
Lower Rouge River Water Trail Leadership Committee
Chaired by Water Trail Program Manager, the committee serves to oversee the execution of the Rouge River Water Trail Strategic Plan and Safety Plan. This committee meets at least bi-monthly.
Membership Committee
Chaired by the Secretary, this committee develops programs for attracting new members and maintaining current membership. This committee meets at least quarterly.
Public Involvement (PI) Advisory Committee
Chaired by PI Program Managers, the committee advises PI staff in promoting restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem through education and citizen involvement. This task force meets monthly.
Rouge Education Project (REP) Committee
Chaired by the REP Program Manager, this committee advises REP staff in promoting awareness and stewardship of the Rouge River watershed through school-based water quality monitoring, investigation, and problem-solving. This committee meets six times a year.