Ann L. Query

Chair

Ann L. Query has been involved with the Community Foundation twice – the first time in 1996 when transitioning from the Zeeland Community Foundation at the point when the Holland and Zeeland foundations became one single entity, serving until 2002.  In 2006, Ann began her service once again. 

Ann enjoys finding ways to give time, talent and treasure to the community that has blessed her efforts as an educator, business owner and leader.  “The Community Foundation touches so many areas of both need and enhancement in the broader community, and it has been a wonderful organization in which to serve to make a difference for today and long into the future,” states Ann. 

Ann currently holds the position of First Vice Chair, and in May 2011, will become the Chair for a two-year term.  Ann is involved in the Development Committee, the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee.  In the past, she has worked on the Distribution Committee and Scholarship Recommendation Group. 

Overall, Ann sees the Foundation as an organization that knows few boundaries in its ability to do good for today and the future.  She feels privileged to assist with granting millions of dollars to the greater good of the area, maintaining the community as a great place to live, work, learn and create. 

Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts from Hope College with a major in English and a minor in Music, and a secondary teaching certificate.  Ann received an elementary teaching certificate from Grand Valley State University and completed a Master’s degree in Community Leadership from Central Michigan University’s Institute for Personal & Career Development.

Sue Den Herder

Vice Chair, Audit Co-chair

Sue Den Herder accepted the invitation to become a Community Foundation trustee in 2006 and currently serves as Second Vice Chair on the Executive Committee and Chair of the Distribution Committee. 

“I have enjoyed my role chairing the Distribution Committee.  There are so many groups with needs.  It has been very rewarding to be a trusted steward of the Foundations’ resources and help various organizations,” said Sue.  “I have learned so much about the Holland/Zeeland area.”

Sue is a graduate of Zeeland High School.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Education from Hope College and her Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Middle School Education. 

Sue is a former special education teacher at Cityside Middle School.  She is a former trustee and past president of Hospice of Holland.  Sue is one of the founding directors of Special Education Ministries in Zeeland.  Sue was nominated to the 2010 Honor Role in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, West Michigan Chapter, for the National Philanthropy Day Awards Presentation in Grand Rapids, MI.

Randy Thelen

Treasurer

Randy Thelen joined the board in 2007.  Randy is the current President of Lakeshore Advantage.  In this capacity, he delivers direct business expansion and attraction services, oversees the Lakeshore Business Garden and provides overall leadership to the organization that is centered on growing the economic base of the greater Holland/Zeeland/Saugatuck area. 

Randy earned his Bachelor’s degree from Alma College, MI and his Master’s degree from Binghamton University in New York.  He has served on several boards in the Holland area.  Randy’s interests include traveling, biking, reading and spending time with his family.

Juanita F. Bocanegra

Board Secretary, Distribution Chair

Juanita F. Bocanegra has been with the community foundation since May 2009, currently a member of the Distribution Committee and serving the Executive Committee as Board Secretary.  She decided to be a Community Foundation trustee because she wanted to give back to the community that has nurtured her professional and personal growth.  “Participating as a trustee with a well-respected organization such as the community foundation seemed like the right way to do that,” states Juanita.

With over 13 years of combined experience in the legal field, Juanita practices in the areas of business and corporate law, probate and estate planning, commercial and civil litigation and family law.  Juanita is bilingual and speaks Spanish and English.

While in law school, Juanita won the Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2007 Mock Trial Competition and also received the Top Litigator Award.  She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Grand Rapids Bar Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Multiracial Association of Professionals and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.

Juanita received her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and received her Bachelor of Arts from Grand Valley State University.

Debra Clark-Miller, CPA

Trustee, Audit Co-chair

Debra Clark-Miller presently serves as the chair of the Development Committee, and she has been with the Foundation since 2007.  When asked what she is most proud of about the Foundation, she mentioned the Ready for School initiative and the Foundation’s ability to quickly respond to the emergency needs of community members during a recessionary period. 

“A deciding factor in my decision to serve as a trustee was observing first-hand the impact the Foundation has had on the local community, and how it indirectly touches the lives of so many through gift giving,” stated Deb.  As a CPA, Deb works with many non-profit organizations in the Holland/Zeeland area that have benefitted from their association with the Foundation. 

Deb is a Certified Public Accountant with DeLong and Brower, PC. where she conducts audits, prepares tax returns and provides business consultation.  Some areas of her specialties include corporate and non-profit organizations.  Deb is a registered representative with Genworth Financial Securities.  As a registered representative, she can offer stock and mutual funds to clients.  Deb is insurance licensed as well in the areas of life, health and long-term care.

Deb holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lawrence Technological University.

Taiyoh Afrik

Trustee, YAC Advisor

Taiyoh Afrik has been with the Foundation since 2008.  Taiyoh is the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee Advisor and a member of the Development Committee.  On joining the Foundation’s board, Taiyoh states, “Holland has been a great place to live, so when the opportunity arose to give back to this community and help shape its future, I was happy to volunteer my time, treasure and talent.”
Taiyoh enjoys advising young men and women of the YAC and witnessing them develop into the future leaders of this community.

Taiyoh holds a Master in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering, also from Grand Valley State University in MI.

Lori Bush

Trustee, Governance & Investment Chair

Lori Bush began her involvement with the Foundation in 2006 as a way to have a positive, multiplicative effect on various areas of need in the community.  “I love being part of the board and staff that are inspiring and driven to affect change in the Holland/Zeeland area for the long-term,” said Lori. 

Lori serves on the Development, Investment and Governance Committees of the Community Foundation.

Lori is a Financial Advisor at Shoreline Wealth Management.  Lori received her undergraduate degree in Finance and her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

John Donnelly

Trustee

John Donnelly’s proudest achievement since joining the Board in May, 2008, is being a contributing member of the Investment Committee, of which he is the current chair. 

“I believe the Community Foundation of the Holland Zeeland Area is a very valuable asset for the community as it supports many key programs.  I wanted to learn more about the Foundation and help with its mission,” says John of serving on the Foundation’s board. 

John received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and earned his Masters in Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

P. Haans Mulder, JD, MST, CFP

Trustee, PRI Chair

P. Haans Mulder, a partner with CunninghamDalman, P.C., has been on the board of trustees since 2010.  Haans felt called to join the board because the Foundation helps the community in so many ways and in particular has acted as a catalyst for initiatives that he believes will continue to make this area a great place to work, live, and play.

Haans serves on the Investment Committee and brings legal expertise to the board.  Haans’ hope is that he can serve by lending a broader perspective as a younger member of the board and sharing his view of the community.

Along with being a Certified Financial Planner, Haans received his Bachelor of Arts from Kalamazoo College, his Juris Doctorate from Willamette College of Law and his Master of Science in Taxation from Grand Valley State University.  Haans was named to the “40 under 40”  by the Holland Sentinel and a “2010 Rising Star” by Super Lawyer Magazine.

Judith Smith

Trustee, Development Chair

Judith (Judy) Smith is a community volunteer who has devoted 30 years to raising money for and sitting on non-profit boards.  Judy has been with the Community Foundation since 2006.  She has enjoyed her service as a trustee, being a part of the Development and Distribution Committees and participating in deciding grant direction. 

“My experience with the Community Foundation has given me a broad understanding of the non-profit community and the needs of the Holland/Zeeland area,” says Judy.

Matthew Lepard

Past President

Current Community Foundation President Matthew Lepard has been with the organization since 2004.  “I became a trustee because I appreciate the unique vantage point the Community Foundation is in from a broad philanthropic perspective,” states Matt.  “I was eager to be a part of this dynamic and impactful organization.” 

Matt enjoys seeing the growth and transformation of the foundation, building on its core granting capabilities with new and leading initiatives like Ready for School, MSU Bioeconomy Institute and Michigan College Access Network. 

Matt is the President of piOptima, Inc.  He earned his Bachelors in Economics from Albion College.

Char Amante

Trustee

Char Amante began her service as a Trustee in 1995 and served through 2001.  After a three year hiatus, she started her second term as a Trustee in 2004 and is still serving.  Char decided to serve because of her respect and admiration for the organization.  “I was honored to be asked to be a Trustee,” states Char.

Char was the Youth Advisory Committee advisor for 13 years.  She enjoyed working with many high school students, helping them experience philanthropy and grant giving, and defining the real meaning of time, talent and treasure.  Char currently serves on the Distribution Committee. 

Char received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Western Michigan University.  She is an avid cheerleader for the Holland/Zeeland area, having served on the Holland Chamber Board, Home Builders Association of the Holland Area Board and The Center for Women in Transition Board.  Char graduated from Leadership Holland in 1996 and won the Distinguished Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

Char is currently employed as a mortgage and consumer lender at Macatawa Bank.

Eleanor Lopez

Trustee

Eleanor Lopez is a consumer health advocate and Diversity trainer who worked in healthcare for over 30 years.  She came to Holland Hospital in 1979 to assist new hires with orientation training and to help them transition into their new jobs. For over 18 years she was responsible for the Medical & Consumer Health Resource Center and also planned community outreach programs for community organizations and businesses.

Eleanor spent most of her time at Holland Hospital helping consumers find answers to their health care questions.  Due to her interest in diversity, in 1995 she began offering Diversity and Multi-Cultural competency trainings to Hospital staff and community organizations.  She has worked with such organizations as the Ottawa County Health Department, City of Holland Leadership Academy, Holland Chamber of Commerce – Holland First as well as others in Grand Rapids area such as Miller-Johnson, LLC.

She serves on several community boards such as the Alliance for Cultural & Ethnic Harmony, Macatawa Resource Center and Community Foundation for Holland/Zeeland. Eleanor has been a Junior Achievement volunteer since 2001.

In 2005, Eleanor received multiple honors.  She received both the Business Person of the Year Award from the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership of Excellence Award from the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance.

In 2006 she was named by iMagazine as one of 50 Women of Influence in West Michigan.

In 2008 she completed the West Michigan Chamber Coalition’s Leadership West Michigan Program.

Eleanor is personally committed to the Holland-Zeeland area.  Her knowledge of the community and belief in the power of philanthropy to change lives have helped her serve on the Distribution and Scholarship Committees.

Ritu Mathur

Trustee

Ritu Mathur has been with the Foundation since 2009.  Ritu is a member of the Distribution committee, helping to allocate money to different agencies in the area.

Ritu appreciates how the people in the area graciously give back to those in need.  Ritu explains, “The Foundation’s mission is to help local businesses to grow in the community, to maintain and enhance the arts, education and to help children and the elderly population.  Being with the Foundation, I can be part of all of this.”

When asked what she is most proud of with the Community Foundation, she names the Critical Safety Net that has recently been established to help those in dire need in the community. 

Ritu is a Foot and Ankle Specialist with Lakeshore Health Partners, and has been practicing in Holland since 1994.  She is a recipient of the Strathmore’s Who’s Who, and was named one of the Most Influential Women of West Michigan in 2007.  In the past, Ritu has served on the board for United Way of Holland and Community Health Center in Holland. Presently Ritu serves as a member of the board of trustees for West Michigan Hindu Temple.

Nancy Miller

Trustee

Nancy Miller has been a Community Foundation trustee since 2007.  She is the Board’s liaison with the Ready for School initiative.  “I felt drawn to the Foundation as it supports our local community and provides financial services that other organizations cannot or do not provide,” said Nancy, of why she decided to become a trustee. 

Nancy is a graduate of Hope College, University of Michigan and Michigan State University.  In 2008 she received the Lakeshore Athena Award and the “Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award” from the Michigan Council on Education Network for Women in Higher Education.

Scott Alan Spoelhof

Trustee

After graduate school, Scott Spoelhof worked for Herman Miller in Logistics and Marketing. He joined Johnson Controls (the former Prince Corporation) in Holland in 1989, where he worked in Sales and Operations until 2000.  In 2000, he joined Bayside Capital Management in Holland, a private investment management firm, which focuses on equities, real estate, and private equity, as Managing Director.  Bayside has been, and is, an active player in the development and promotion of downtown Holland, as well as an active participant in the economic development process in West Michigan.

Active in church, school, and community, Scott has served in a variety of capacities, and on a variety of committees and boards, including the Community Foundation.  He is a past board member of Camp Geneva and Good Samaritan Ministries.  Past activities have included Junior Achievement, Leadership Holland, Chair of the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, and a variety of fundraising and capital campaigns.  He serves on the board of eAgile in Grand Rapids and Utility Pipeline in Ohio.  Scott is currently on the board of the Principal Shopping District in Holland, a member of the Calvin College Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Finance Committee, a Young Life Committee member, Lakeshore Advantage Seed Fund Investment Committee member, and a member of the Holland Sentinel Community Editorial Advisory Board.

Scott was born in Grand Rapids and currently resides in Holland.  He attended the Holland Christian Schools, graduating in 1980.  He then attended Calvin College, graduating in 1984 with a BA in Business.  Scott received his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, with an emphasis in Corporate Strategy, in 1986.
Scott has been married to the former Janet Boerema, a 1984 Calvin graduate, since 1986.  They have 3 children, one a former YAC member and one current YAC member .The family currently attends Christ Memorial Church in Holland.

Interests include skiing, tennis, and golf.  A significant amount of time and enjoyment comes from watching and supporting the kids in their activities, which include soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Dan Zwier

Trustee

Dan Zwier has been with the Foundation since 2005, and is in his final three-year term with the Foundation.  In his role as Trustee, Dan has been able to actively use his skill set to have a positive impact on the Holland/Zeeland area and has helped identify, strategize and manage the continued growth and success of the organization. 

When asked about his experience with the Foundation, Dan states, “During my tenure, we have evolved from an organization that solely supported community need through grants to one that in addition to this critical function, is taking the lead in several initiatives seen by community leaders as having significant long term impact.”

One of Dan’s contributions as an Outdoor Discovery Center/Wildlife Trustee was his assistance in conceptualizing, defining the mission and executing the early development of the Outdoor Discovery Center through which tens of thousands of children are being positively impacted annually. 

Dan also spends time sharing with people the purpose of the Foundation and how it provides an excellent venue to permanently attach an individual’s name to the support of that person’s specific passion. 

Dan holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University and as Founder and CEO of Permaloc Corporation, he has been awarded a number of U.S and foreign patents.  In his free time, Dan enjoys being a parent, husband, and spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. 

Jane Patterson

Trustee

Jane Patterson was appointed in May 2012 and currently serves on the Development and Scholarship/Educational Initiatives Committees. In addition, she serves on the Advisory Board for Destination Education, a Foundation initiative. When asked why she chose to be a part of CFHZ, she stated, “I am honored to serve as a Trustee with the Foundation. It seemed like the next logical step in my philanthropic journey to participate in an organization with an outstanding history of positively impacting so many in the area where I have lived most of my life.”

Jane is a graduate of Holland High School and Michigan State University where she graduated with Honors. She received her J.D. with honors from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and began her law career with Cunningham, Dalman. From there, she transitioned to the Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Office where she served as an Assistant Prosecutor for almost ten years. She currently works as a Criminal Defense attorney, practicing in this field of law since 1999.

Jane has extensive board experience. She served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Women in Transition for 17 years, serving as Board President and as Chairperson for the Reach for the Stars event for many years. She co-founded Women Who Care in Holland in 2011 and is still involved with the organization.  In 2011 Jane co-founded the nonprofit Ross Poel Organization and serves on its board. She was honored with the 2012 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award, presented by the West Michigan Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.