Earlier this month, we had the privilege in joining one of our favorite kinds of events — where talented, driven people come together to make our community stronger!
On October 3, while serving locally as Chair of the Board of the Washtenaw ACA, that morning was spent with ACA’s Executive Director, Kristen Columbus in the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Tauber Colloquium. Here we met with our matched Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows, as part of Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy’s kickoff for this year’s program.
This initiative connects grad students from all schools at the University of Michigan, through the Business+Impact Center at the Ross School of Business with local nonprofits for a year-long board fellowship, helping both sides learn, grow, and drive impact together. After two years of great results mentoring three talented students, this is ACA’s third year of participation, working with our fourth and fifth Board Fellowship appointees.
ACA is thrilled this year to be welcoming Ellie Garnett and Xander Rodriguez as our 2025–26 Board Fellows — two talented U-M graduate students in the Schools of Social Work and Business, respectively, ready to bring energy and insight to our mission of empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in community life through advocacy, education, and support.
From Hierank’s perspective, this community collaboration hits right at the heart of what we’re all about: maximizing the flow of good information — between people, organizations, and ideas — and helping it move where it can do the most good.
When world-class academic minds — the leaders and best — plug into local action and leadership, everyone levels up.
We’re excited for what Ellie and Xander will be able to help us accomplish this year at ACA — and are proud to be part of an initiative that can influence and enrich the world around us in multiple positive ways.
