Katherine Kemp is a versatile business leader with a distinguished career spanning Fortune 500 corporations, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. With more than 20 years of marketing experience, she has driven the growth of some of the world’s most iconic brands, including OFF! ® repellents, MillerCoors, Scott Tissue, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch and Smart Start, Morningstar Farms vegetarian products, and MillerKnoll office furniture. She also led the gastrointestinal category at Perrigo and served on the leadership team of Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E. as Director of Marketing, Enrollment, and Community Engagement.

As an entrepreneur, Katherine acquired and expanded a Smoothie King nutritional lifestyle franchise into Michigan’s top-performing store within just two years, employing more than 100 team members in Kalamazoo between 2006 and 2016.

Most recently, as Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo, she strengthened the organization’s financial position, expanded accessibility and inclusivity, streamlined operations, and elevated fundraising and storytelling to record-breaking levels. She deepened community trust by listening to families, expanding accessibility, and building meaningful engagement with stakeholders at every level.

In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Katherine serves as a business growth coach, advising local business leaders on scaling their companies domestically and globally. She serves on multiple boards and was recognized among Scene Magazine’s Top Women in Business.

Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with dual majors in Public Relations and Journalism, a master’s degree in business, and nine professional coaching certifications.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katherine is passionate about world travel, reading, health, and fine art.

By joining the Helping Hands Wellness Center, she aims only to benefit the team assisting this needed health organization here in Kalamazoo County.

A Kalamazoo, MI native with principles of Hard Work, Service, and Caring for others. Glyn has over ten years of experience in public service. He is currently employed with the City of Kalamazoo as a Public Safety Officer. Glyn earned his associate degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, majoring in Arts and Science. Glyn strives to make a positive impact on those he encounters daily. Glyn firmly believes that although people come from all walks of life, treating them fairly with dignity and respect is most important. He is an active member of the Kalamazoo community. Glyn is dedicated to the Helping Hands mission of a holistic approach and enjoys catering to the acute needs of the patients served.

Brian has been an Emergency Medicine physician since 2014, graduated from Michigan State Medical school in 2011, and completed his residency in 2014. He was certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine in 2015. Brian currently practices in Hastings, Michigan.

Brian and his wife stay busy at home with their five children. He spends time leading worship at his local church playing acoustic guitar and singing. His other interests include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, scuba diving, and traveling.

He has a passion for the underserved in medicine, both locally and internationally. He's spent time in Malawi, Africa learning and practicing the art of third-world medicine and serving those with limited medical access. Brian is particularly interested in addiction medicine as he believes addiction is a leading health crisis in the United States. As a physician, he has an obligation to his patients to limit addiction potential and to help them battle their addiction by utilizing multiple resources.

He's excited to be a part of expanding medicine in West Michigan. We aim to increase medical access and improve medical quality and overall patient experience as a group.

Although Markita Hawkins resides in Western Michigan Bronco territory, she is actually an Eastern Michigan Eagle. Markita was born and raised in Ypsilanti, MI. Markita graduated from Lincoln Consolidated Schools. She then attended Washtenaw Community College and transferred to Eastern Michigan University as a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Psychology.

After college, Markita moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and later started her family. Markita and her husband have three daughters. Markita’s professional experience includes customer service, medical legal administrative support, problem-solving, and relief support work. Markita really enjoys helping others. When not working, Markita enjoys spending time with family and friends.