The Embrace Change (EC) Network Team explores growth through adversity and investigates strategies for staff to learn how to build resiliency and lead during times of change
View the Embrace Change Team charge.
View the Member Profiles on this page to learn more.
The Embrace Change team is continuing its work on an app to help support mental health, a proposal for communication norms, and more.
To learn more about the EC team, see their 2024 project poster.
Alivia Lawrence is the senior Psychometrist in the Neuropsychology ACU. She holds a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and is proficient in the administration and scoring of a wide variety of psychological and neuropsychological assessments. She evaluates patients across the lifespan for referral reasons such as ADHD, autism, dementia, and more. In addition to direct patient care, she is also involved in clinic scheduling, referral triaging, supervision and training of new hires, and other administrative duties as required. In her free time, she is a mother of two who enjoys quilting, reading, and running (having recently completed both a half marathon and a triathlon).
Ann Chow is a project manager/consultant in the Compliance Division of Michigan Medicine Revenue Cycle. Her current responsibilities focus on business operations and processes, data integrity, and data analysis. During her 9 years with Revenue Cycle, Ann has served as a LEAN coach, designed and delivered professional development training, and implemented several performance improvement projects for Revenue Cycle workgroups. Besides her regular work and duties, Ann has been serving on the Revenue Cycle DEI Committee since its inception. Moreover, Ann is serving on the Interview, Selection & Onboarding workgroup for the RVC DEI Employment Life Cycle project.
Beth Jakubowski works as a Research Proposal Manager in the Associate Dean of Research Research Development office in the College of Engineering. She works with faculty on managing and providing resources for federal and foundation grant proposals. Beth has worked in government, energy, pharmaceutical, transportation, women’s research, and academic fields. She specialized in complex trauma in her general clinical psychology masters program and this is still an interest of hers. Beth enjoys reading, hiking, winter, and spending time with family and friends.
Chris works at the Life Science Institute as a Facilities Assistant. He works daily maintaining the daily operations of the Mary Sue Coleman Hall with biologists, Chemists, engineers and cores. He is a firm believer that his job is what he does, not who he is. He is also a husband and proud father of 3 adult children, who enjoys photography, gardening, nature, and a secret nerd.
Erin Himrod is a rodent health associate with the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM). She coordinates the importation of animals from other institutions to the University and is involved in various aspects of ULAM’s animal health surveillance program. Outside of work, Erin serves as the principal cellist and President of the Board of Directors for the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra. She also enjoys hanging out with her dog and cat, attending Detroit City Football Club games, reading, and playing games with friends.
Gary Ashley earned a B.S. in Communications with a concentration in Human Relations from the University of Michigan-Flint in December 2005. Since then he has been employed at the University of Michigan-Flint and has held a number of positions. He started working in Alumni Relations, moved to Institutional Advancement, to University Outreach, and is currently working in the Office of Engaged Learning. He has a great deal of experience in partnering with departments within the university and community partners outside the University to help revitalize Genesee County. It is his personal mission to help Genesee County be a better place to live, work, play, etc.!
George works for CAEN.
Jade Betancourt is an Animal Care supervisor within the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine. She has been with the program for almost 5 years. Currently her role is to give support to her staff of animal technicians and cage wash, as well as working closely with private investigators and lab staff. All of these things allow for the most humane animal care, which is Jade’s favorite thing about her role. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 3 cats, dog, turtle, and bearded dragon, taking care of her always expanding house plant collection, and traveling.
Janet Michoski is the administrative assistant senior for financial operations. Her primary responsibilities include managing complex calendars, preparing a comprehensive range of financial reports, and processing invoices. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her kids, watching her son play hockey and her daughter play soccer or swim. She also enjoys getting together with friends to play board games and going camping.
Jeannine has been an Annual Giving officer at Michigan Medicine for almost 2 years now, supporting the Cancer teams focusing on donor engagement and growth of gifts under 25000. She has over 10 years non profit fundraising experience and is on the VOC team because she is motivated to positively impact the employee experience.
John leads the operations team for LSA Facilities & Operations. A licensed architect, he works diligently to advance initiatives that improve accessibility, contain costs, and improve the overall user experience on campus. Prior to joining LSA in 2021, he spent over twelve years at Oakland University in the Department of Capital Planning and Design. In addition to his expertise as an architect and project manager, John has also demonstrated his commitment to higher education over the past decade, by teaching as an adjunct faculty at Lawrence Tech and Ferris State. Beyond the office, John volunteers with Michigan Adaptive Sports as a ski instructor and enjoys sailing whenever time allows.