Meet the Team at Munson Healthcare Foundations
Munson Healthcare Foundations is staffed with talented professionals who help donors support the specific funds or services that match their values and interests, allowing them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Learn more about our team members below.
Debra Henderson, MSHC, President, Munson Healthcare Foundations
231-213-1155 | dhenderson@mhc.net
Debra Henderson serves as President for Munson Healthcare Foundations and Chief Development Officer for Munson Healthcare. Prior to joining Munson Healthcare in 2013, she worked for The American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association, raising more than $25 million to support disease research, risk awareness, and public health advocacy.
Debra relocated to Traverse City from Charlotte, NC. She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and psychology from the University of North Carolina and a Master of Science degree in health communications from Boston University.
In her spare time, Debra enjoys tennis, cooking, traveling, and hiking the amazing trails in Traverse City.
John Gower, CFRE, Manager, Stewardship and Annual Giving
231-213-1154 | jgower@mhc.net
John Gower serves as the Manager of Stewardship and Annual Giving for Munson Healthcare Foundations. Prior to joining the Foundations in 2017, John spent 10 years as a professional with the Boy Scouts of America in central Indiana and throughout Michigan, focusing on fundraising, membership recruitment, and volunteer engagement.
John resides in Traverse City with his wife and two young children. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in integrative public relations and recreation, parks & leisure services administration from Central Michigan University. John is also credentialed as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
Outside of work, John enjoys running, camping, hiking, and traveling with his family.
Kim Biddinger, CFRE, Leadership Giving Officer - East Region
231-213-1167 | kbiddinger@mhc.net
Kim Biddinger is a Leadership Giving Officer for Munson Healthcare Foundations, focusing her efforts on Charlevoix, Grayling and Otsego Memorial Hospitals. She has raised funds for Otsego Memorial Hospital since 2010 and is passionate about connecting donors to causes they care about. Kim was instrumental in raising over $4 million for the "Building the Future of Local Healthcare" capital campaign which includes the hospital's largest gift, naming the Dale E. Johnson Emergency Department.
Prior to joining Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation, Kim focused her career on business development and public relations in the greater Detroit area within the legal community. She is credentialed as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds certificates in Non-Profit Executive Leadership and Fund Raising Management from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Kim serves on the board of the Indian River Chamber of Commerce and serves as president of the Gaylord Booster Club. While not in the office, Kim enjoys attending her son and daughter's soccer games, skiing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Beth Joseph, Giving Officer - Cadillac, Frankfort, and Manistee
231-213-1156 | bjoseph2@mhc.net
Beth Joseph serves as Giving Officer for Munson Healthcare’s South Region, focusing her efforts in Cadillac, Frankfort, and Manistee. With an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science from Manchester University in Northern Indiana, Beth started her 20-year career in public and nonprofit administration as a grant writer. She went on to lead community development and fundraising efforts to increase access to medical and behavioral health services in the rural community of Moab, Utah, and then Manistee and Benzie Counties.
Beth is a fourth-generation resident of Manistee County and spends time outside of work on her primary job: mother to two lively young girls. Together, they enjoy spending time with their extended family, creating art, and adventuring outdoors.
Lauren Matus, Grants Officer
231-213-1151 | lmatus@mhc.net
Biography coming soon.
Abbie Robinson, Charitable Giving Specialist - Direct Mail and Digital Solicitation
231-213-1162 | arobinson7@mhc.net
Abbie Robinson is a creative professional with a diverse set of skills ranging from traditional storytelling to digital marketing. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations, journalism, and leadership from Central Michigan University's Honors College.
Abbie enjoys many creative pursuits outside of the office including photography, gardening, reading, and training and fostering dogs. A self-proclaimed "Mitten Enthusiast," Abbie loves to kayak, camp, and hike throughout the state.
Tami Stanley, Leadership Giving Associate - Frankfort, Manistee, Traverse City
231-213-1159 | tstanley@mhc.net
Tami Stanley brings a wide variety of experiences to her role as Leadership Giving Associate in Major Giving. Tami meets with philanthropic individuals across northern Michigan who have an interest in enhancing local healthcare.
Tami worked for several years at a retirement community foundation and studied with the Prospect Research Institute. By using her skills in executive administration, customer service, and project planning administration, she helps to support the Foundations team, boards, and volunteer committees. Most of all, she believes in giving back and has a strong belief that everyone deserves quality healthcare in the communities where they live.
Tami and her family live in Manistee, Michigan. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading a good book, playing her flute, painting, and sailing.
Michael Strom, Leadership Giving Officer - Cadillac, Charlevoix, Frankfort, Manistee, Traverse City
231-213-1164 | mstrom@mhc.net
Michael Strom serves as a Leadership Giving Officer for Munson Healthcare Foundations and works with donors in Charlevoix, Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee and Traverse City. As a strong relationship builder, Michael spent nearly 23 years in pharmaceutical sales throughout northern and western Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Michigan State University.
Michael is a life-long resident of Traverse City and a current member of the Rotary Club of Traverse Bay Sunrise. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling to visit his two grown daughters, road biking, kayaking, and watching movies.
Dana Therrien, Department Assistant
231-213-1160 | dtherrien@mhc.net
Dana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as department assistant for Munson Healthcare Foundations. She first began working with Munson Healthcare in the Human Resources Department, where she resided for 23 years before joining the Foundations team.
Dana enjoys salmon fishing, hiking, and traveling with her family, as well as being outside and enjoying the wonderful Traverse City area. A fun fact about Dana is that she used to raise elk with her family. According to Dana, the majestic sounds of bull elk bugling are amazing!
Kira Walkup, Events Specialist
231-213-1161 | kwalkup@mhc.net
Kira Walkup manages fundraising events across the Munson Healthcare system and serves as a community liaison for third-party fundraising activities and events. She brings an extensive background in project management and strategic planning to her role. Before joining the Foundations team, Kira worked with Munson Healthcare Home Health & Hospice.
Kira earned a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication from Central Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Kira and her husband relocated to Traverse City from the Detroit area and have two daughters.
Kira is passionate about giving back to her community and does volunteer coaching work with youth organizations including Girls on the Run and Battle of the Books. She and her family enjoy spending time outdoors in northern Michigan as well as travel, music, theater, art, and great food.
Craig Weckler, Leadership Giving Officer - Frankfort, Manistee, Traverse City
231-213-1152 | cweckler@mhc.net
Craig Weckler serves as a Leadership Giving Officer for the Manistee, Frankfort, and Traverse City communities. Craig previously spent 31 years working in pharmaceutical sales and management, primarily in the northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula regions.
Craig earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both medical technology and business management from Michigan Technological University. He is an active member of the Traverse Bay Sunrise Rotary and has served on many Rotary committees as a former board member and past president of the organization.
Outside of work, Craig enjoys golf, pickleball, hiking and camping with his wife, and visiting and traveling with their four adult children.
Tracy Wittkopp, Charitable Giving Analyst - Annual & Mid-Level Giving
231-213-1163 | twittkopp@mhc.net
Tracy Wittkopp is a Charitable Giving Analyst for Munson Healthcare Foundations, dedicating her time to data analysis and strategy for annual and mid-level giving. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a Minor in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University. Prior to joining the Foundations in 2010, she worked in constituent relations for the Michigan House of Representatives.
Tracy is a Leelanau County native and currently lives in Maple City with her husband, daughter, and three dogs. She serves on the Parent Advisory Council for her daughter's school and is a member of the Traverse City Young Professionals and the Grand Valley State University Alumni Club. In her free time, Tracy enjoys gardening, camping, and exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with her family.
Kelsey Zaryczny, Charitable Giving Analyst - Major Giving
231-213-1165 | kzaryczny@mhc.net
Kelsey Zaryczny is a Charitable Giving Analyst for Munson Healthcare Foundations, focusing her efforts on donor discovery and behavior analysis in major giving. She has spent her entire career working with nonprofits in Michigan.
Kelsey and her husband relocated to Traverse City several years ago after living in West Michigan. She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and political science from Western Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
Outside of work, Kelsey and her husband own and manage a local wedding venue and snow tubing business. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting rocks from northern Michigan’s many pristine beaches, tending to her perennial gardens, and relaxing at home with her pets.
Kris Zimmerman, Data Analyst
231-213-1166 | kzimmerman7@mhc.net
Kris Zimmerman is the Data Analyst for Munson Healthcare Foundations. He first joined the Foundations team as a volunteer in 2009 and has since been instrumental in standardizing gift processing and data maintenance.
Kris graduated in 2000 from Michigan State University with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. He also holds two bachelor's degrees in biomedical science from Grand Valley State University and accountancy from Ferris State University.
Kris grew up in Leelanau County and worked in the field of landscaping for over eight years. He enjoys biking and reading history in his free time.