The Oakland Literacy Council Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer members who are actively involved in promoting and advancing the council’s mission.

Mita Bhavsar, Chair

Director, FINNEA Group

Mita is an industry expert in data modeling, with over 20 years of experience across multiple industries. Mita is a community advocate with a focus on math literacy. She is “passionate about education and believes that knowledge truly is power.” Mita has served as a volunteer GED Math instructor and worked with multiple nonprofit organizations leading math boot camps, promoting STEM education for young women, and ensuring that teenagers at risk for dropping out of school have a path to higher education and trade programs.  She is a certified diversity and inclusion facilitator. Mita graduated from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, with a Bachelor of Mathematics.

 

Sue Klunk, Vice Chair

Former Oakland Literacy Council Development and Communications Coordinator
Bookstock Representative for OLC

Sue joined the Board in 2023 after retiring from her role as an OLC staff member.  She chairs our annual fundraising dinner Ex Libris and is the representative to Bookstock for OLC.  Sue brings strong storytelling and communication expertise to the organization and as a former tutor she understands our core service.  Sue is active in the community and serves on the Board of Aish Detroit.  She holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University and her bachelor’s is in business administration from Miami University.

Jeffery Rodabaugh, Treasurer

Director, FINNEA Group

Jeff has 15 years of experience in various accounting and FP&A roles. He holds a degree from the University of Findlay in Financial Accounting. The majority of Jeff’s career has been spent building a strong set of professional skills in the automotive industry. His strong foundation in costing, coupled with a sound understanding of operational activity, has helped margin improvement for several companies. Jeff has developed a strong acumen in building unique financial models surrounding inflation as well as general financial forecasting. Jeff’s passion for literacy stems from his gratitude for the literacy opportunities provided, especially in speech pathology, to his son following his autism diagnosis.  His wife is also a tenured elementary teacher where literacy is the foundation for young growing minds.  

Paula Brown, Secretary

Development Director, The Arc of Northwest Wayne County

Paula, who just completed a three-year term as OLC’s board chair, brings to the Oakland Literacy Council more than 30 years of experience in fundraising for non-profit organizations. She was formerly the Fund Development Officer at Zaman International in Inkster and now the Development Director of The Arc of Northwest Wayne County.  Paula is deeply committed to combatting adult illiteracy; she is the former Executive Director of Reading Works in Detroit.  

John Almstadt, Governance Committee Chair

Oakland County Workforce Development Board

John Almstadt is the recently retired director of the Oakland County Michigan Works! Agency and manager of Oakland County Workforce Development.  John has more than 30 years of experience in workforce development. In addition to his service on the Oakland Literacy Council, John has experience on numerous other Boards, including Automation Alley, the Workforce Intelligence Network, Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, and the Oakland County Human Services Coordinating Council, of which he is a former chairperson.  

Shanell Shelby, DEI Committee Chair

Director, Workforce Development, Trinity Hospital

Oakland County Workforce Development Board

Shanell Shelby is a workforce development leader who believes access, education, and opportunity can change the trajectory of a life and a community. As Director of Workforce Development at Trinity Health, she leads strategy, partnerships, and workforce programs that strengthen talent pipelines, advance career mobility, and support colleague success across healthcare. Shanell’s experience includes supporting job seekers and employers through the Oakland County Michigan Works! system. Her work is rooted in removing barriers and creating meaningful pathways that lead to stable, purpose-driven careers. She proudly serves on the Oakland Literacy Council Board and chairs the DEI Committee.

Heidi Hedquist

Chief Executive, Cause Effect Marketing

Heidi is a Communications Strategist with more than 20 years of experience in both the nonprofit and commercial sectors. She has built her career creating and leading innovative fundraising and awareness initiatives for nonprofit organizations. Known for taking on complex reputation-management challenges, Heidi has successfully guided organizations through rebuilding and renewal efforts. 

She brings extensive experience in the education sector, having served as Communications Consultant for Pontiac School District for six years. Heidi is deeply committed to OLC’s mission and believes its work not only opens opportunities for individuals but is actively changing the world by breaking down communication barriers within our community. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Oakland University. 

Ellen Lipton

Lipton Law

Co-vice chair, Michigan Board of Education

Ellen previously served six years as a Michigan State Representative where she began her advocacy for Promise Zones, which supports free community college tuition, technical training, and certification to students in select communities in Michigan. Ellen has been a tireless advocate for education, committed to eliminating educational inequities and ensuring affordable higher education. A patent attorney, Ellen graduated from Harvard Law School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Williams College.

Ann Manning

Twenty-year Ford veteran in finance, governmental relations, and sustainability

Ann serves on the Birmingham Youth Assistance board and is an active volunteer with hunger organizations.  She has her bachelor’s in economics from Cornell and MBA from Wharton. She is fluent in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and is a former tutor for Oakland Literacy.  She also serves on the Care House Board of Directors

Lisa Denny

Founder and Director

Capstone Facilitation LLC

Lisa is an attorney, educator, and founder of Capstone Facilitation LLC, where she partners with K–12 schools, nonprofits, corporations, and faith-based organizations to strengthen communication and foster effective, collaborative teams. With more than 30 years of experience, she provides training and consulting in workplace communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competency. Lisa possesses a deep passion for education and equity, and she brings strategic insight and instructional expertise to the board, strengthening its ability to support diverse learners and volunteers. Lisa holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from New York University.

Dr. Cynthia Miree

Professor of Management, Oakland University

Cynthia Miree, PhD is a Professor of Strategic Management at Oakland University. Her research focuses on understanding firm performance across a range of contexts. In addition to being an active researcher, she is a passionate teacher with an abiding interest in deepening student engagement. Professor Miree has received the School of Business Administration’s Teaching Excellence Award, and was twice awarded the School of Business Administration’s Distinguished Service Award. Along with her faculty and administrative positions within the university, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry and brings a passion for governance and strategic planning to the board.

Jill Rafferty

Jill’s 30 plus year career has focused on fundraising and team strategy and management for non profit organizations. She has worked with organizations in the arts, health and education sectors. She has served as a volunteer for multiple organizations over the years, with a focus on religious education.

Judy Bryce

Past Presidential of Oakland Literacy Council Friends

Judy has worked with Oakland Literacy Council for 20 years as an office volunteer, tutor and board member. She serves on the board of Glens of Copper Creek condo association and is a former medical technologist.