For information about Affirmations' Board of Directors or how you can get involved, email IJ Campbell.

President

President Mark Blanke currently resides in Rochester Hills, MI with his long time partner Michael Perkins. He is an accounting graduate of Alma College and presently is the Chief Financial Officer for North America and Asia working for Delfingen Industry SA. His involvement with Affirmations began over 19 years ago when he first participated in fundraising. Over the course of time his dedication and commitment to Affirmations Board of Directors has extended to its Capital Campaign (2004-2007) and Campaign for the Future (2010-2012).

Director

Frank Aiello
Associate Professor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Frank is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University and Wayne State University Law School. He formerly practiced real estate and corporate finance law at Bodman LLP. Frank is now a law school professor, focusing his scholarship on effective land use techniques and land conservation. He joined Affirmation's Board of Directors in 2012.

Vice President

IJ Campbell
Retired Administrator, Roseville Community Development

Vice President I J Campbell has actively served in various roles on several boards, including: United Way for Southeastern Michigan, St. John Home Care, Leadership Macomb, Michigan Community Development Association, Care House, Solid Ground Transitional House, the Macomb Homeless Coalition and the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice. In 2002 I J was awarded the Keep The Dream Alive Award by the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 2003 I J received the DTE Community Luminary Service Award. Among other recognitions are citations from Governors John Engler and Jennifer Granholm.

Secretary

Melody "Zip" Johnson
Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council

Treasurer

Adam Powell

Director

Jeff Grim
Attorney, Deloitte

Director

Richard Gibson Ed.D
President & Owner of Gibson Coaching and Organization Performance

Richard is a graduate of Alma College, Michigan State University, and the University of Maryland. Richard brings to Affirmations an extensive background in non-profit management and governance. In addition to being a Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Richard has held leadership positions in Goodwill Industries, the American Red Cross, and the American Public Human Services Association. Richard maintains an executive coaching and management consulting practice.

Director

Jodi Allen
Custom Clothing Industry

A graduate of Michigan State University with an emphasis in economics and history, Jodi Allen is a native Michigander and current resident of Rochester Hills. Jodi first came to Affirmations in 2011 when she began attending various events and weekly meetings sponsored by the Ferndale facility. As a board member, she is eager to lend her voice and efforts to the chorus of others at Affirmations who are dedicated to ensuring that Affirmations remain an important and prosperous community resource.

2013 Board and Committee Meeting Schedule

Meetings take place monthly

Third Mondays
6PM: Communications Committee

First Tuesdays 
6 PM: Development Committee

First Wednesdays
6 PM: Board Governance Committee

Second Wednesdays
6 PM: Finance Committee

Fourth Wednesdays
6:30 PM: Board of Directors

*Please note all meetings are held in the Affirmations' Board Room unless otherwise notified.

Director

Syeda Davidson
Attorney, Lakeshore Legal Aid

Syeda Davidson is a graduate of the University of Michigan - Dearborn and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is currently a Staff Attorney at Lakeshore Legal Aid, where she represents low-income survivors of domestic violence in civil proceedings.  Syeda first became involved with Affirmations in 2011, through various fundraisers and advocacy events. In the Spring of 2012, she co-authored an article in MIE Journal entitled "Serving LGBT Survivors in Rural Communities." In November of 2012, she joined the Affirmations Board of Directors.