Resilience Welcomes Five New Board Members
Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is thrilled to announce the appointment of five new members to our Board of Directors: Blake Andrea, Dr. Kevin Carmody, Katy Gibson, Aida Tanaka, and Detective Sgt. Jason Valenzuela. Each brings a wealth of expertise and passion for making our community a safer place for families.
Blake Andrea, Amway
Blake Andrea lives on the Northside of Holland with his wife, Mikaela, and their two children, Jolene (12) and Mac (11). Over the course of his career, Blake has held roles in supply chain, logistics, and demand planning across industries such as pharmaceuticals, furniture, and direct selling. He is passionate about effective leadership, problem-solving, and driving efficiency through analytics. A West Michigan native, Blake earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and his MBA from Grand Valley State University in 2015. An active community member, Blake has been a volunteer with Resilience since 2018 and a member of the Champions of Healthy Manhood group since its founding. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Blake is dedicated to making his community a safer place for everyone.
Dr. Kevin Carmody
Dr. Kevin Carmody is a leadership development consultant and trainer with more than 15 years of experience in higher education and gender-based violence. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX and as the Title IX Coordinator. In this role, Kevin oversaw the university’s response to gender-based violence, ensuring all reports were handled with care and empathy. He also provided supportive measures, oversaw investigations, and developed training for students and staff. With a background as an advocate, educator, investigator, and hearing officer, Kevin is deeply knowledgeable about policy development, conflict resolution, and accountability practices. He has designed and delivered training for diverse audiences, including law enforcement and student affairs professionals, and has been a strong voice for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. Kevin holds an M.A. in Community Counseling and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University.
Kevin lives in Coopersville, MI with his wife and two children. He enjoys practicing martial arts, meditating, and playing board games. His commitment to creating emotionally intelligent leadership will further Resilience’s efforts to end violence.
Katy Gibson, FranklinCovey
Katy Gibson is a senior learning and development strategist with FranklinCovey, a globally recognized leadership company. She partners with businesses worldwide to design and implement learning strategies that promote personal and professional growth. With extensive experience in leadership development, data analytics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Katy brings empathy and effectiveness to every project. She is also certified in Mental Health First Aid and actively participates in corporate equity groups. A proud mother to two boys, Ethan (15) and Reid (13), Katy is an advocate for underrepresented populations and has spent time as an active member of Resilience’s Survivor Advisory Council. Her dedication to learning and leadership makes her a vital addition to our Board.
Aida Tanaka, Shape Corp.
Aida Tanaka is the General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief People Officer at Shape Corp., a global automotive supplier based in Grand Haven. With a background in corporate law and human resources, Aida plays a pivotal role in supporting Shape Corp.’s growth and strategic initiatives. She previously served as Vice President of Distribution at GVW Group and held legal and operational roles at Navistar, Inc. Aida has a deep commitment to advancing women’s success and mentoring businesswomen through organizations like Menttium. Active in DEI efforts, she is a founding member of Shape Corp.’s Women’s Affinity Group and has a long history of advocacy for survivors of sexual violence. Aida lives in Ferrysburg with her husband, enjoys exploring the beauty of Michigan, and traveling to visit her two adult daughters.
Detective Sgt. Jason Valenzuela, Holland Department of Public Safety
Jason Valenzuela is a detective sergeant and polygraph examiner with the Holland Department of Public Safety. A sworn law enforcement officer since 2005, Jason has served in various roles, including patrol officer, field training officer, and tactical entry team member. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University and has worked with several law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan. Jason is dedicated to mentoring young people and serving his community. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 23 years, Alma, and their two daughters, Isabelle (17) and Olivia (15). Together, they love traveling and boating. Jason’s dedication to justice and public safety will strengthen Resilience’s mission to support survivors and end violence.
We are excited to welcome these outstanding individuals to our Board and are confident that their skills and experiences will help further Resilience’s mission.
We also extend a heartfelt thank you to our departing Board Members—Jasmine Irish, Lisa Miller, Erin Zylman, Jeff Lukas, and Sandra Trammell—for their invaluable contributions over the years!
Resilience’s Board of Directors:
Ortencia Bos, Board President
Shannon Garrett, Vice President
Dr. Lana Zarlenga, Secretary
Tina Fierro, Treasurer
Dr. Laurie Birkholz, Medical Director
Blake Andrea
Dr. Kevin Carmody
Katy Gibson
Aida Tanaka
Det. Sgt. Jason Valenzuela
