Meet Our Team
Please contact the SJF team at info@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org or 269.488.8484
Megan Johnston
Megan Johnston is the Executive Director of the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She is fueled by her commitment to help create a more just, vibrant world. Before taking this role in 2017, Megan spent over a decade working in nonprofit and public policy spaces with organizations in the United States and abroad. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the greater Kalamazoo community in her role at SJF. Her background includes public and nonprofit policy and management, community development, conflict resolution, and mediation. Megan earned a Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She earned a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Community and International Development from the University of Vermont. She was trained in community mediation through the New York Peace Institute. Megan’s goal is to “reimagine and build a philanthropic sector that is rooted deeply in shared power, trust, authentic relationships, and abundance.”
Yolonda lavender
Yolonda Lavender is a native of Kalamazoo, MI. She serves as the Grant Program & Partnerships Director at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. As a change agent and thought leader, Yolonda embodies the principles of trust based grant making. This is a part of her daily work and is present in her community advocacy. Yolonda earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a focus in Nonprofit Leadership and a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Reimagining philanthropy has been a focus for Yolonda educationally and professionally. She works to continuously improve the sector and beyond. Yolonda believes “to eliminate philanthropy’s inherent power dynamics, we have to name and claim power in the room.”
lindsey hemmerlein
Lindsey Hemmerlein is from Kalamazoo, MI. She serves as the Operations Director at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She earned both of her graduate degrees in Organizational Change Leadership and Education from Western Michigan University. Lindsey has been working in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years. She has experience in grant writing, organizational design, and youth development. Lindsey believes in the power of collaboration that is centered on the people impacted. She believes in telling the whole truth. Lindsey reminds us of Ayanna Pressley’s words “those closest to the pain, should be closest to the power.”
Jennifer douglas
Jennifer Douglas is from Gary, IN. She serves as the Resource & Relationship Partner at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. Jennifer earned her degree from Western Michigan University in Sociology and Race and Ethnic Relations. She completed WMU’s signature program in Diversity and Inclusion. She began her career in the nonprofit sector, as an anti-racist facilitator and organizer, working with institutions to eliminate systematic racism. Jennifer brings experience in grant writing and creating organizational processes. She is a reflective and curious learner that believes truth telling and acknowledging power are key to transformative justice. Jennifer is excited to share her learnings to increase access for people doing the work to serve their communities.
leatrice fullerton
Leatrice Fullerton was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. She serves as a Resource & Relationship Partner at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Leatrice has spent over a decade serving the Kalamazoo community in the nonprofit sector as a volunteer and employee. She believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to thrive in accessible and inclusive communities where diversity is embraced, valued, and respected. Leatrice says, “I proudly reside at the intersection of several different marginalized groups; my race, my disability, and my gender.” She has made it her goal to positively represent and advocate for these communities in all that she does.
janice carter
Janice Carter serves as the Grants Coordinator for the Stryker Johnston Foundation and is a native of Southwest Michigan. With a passion for people, she has many years of nonprofit experience. Leading with a focus of building community and relationships, equity and justice are at the center of her work. A life-long learner, Janice earned a business degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice practitioner. Janice champions inclusive and anti-oppressive cultural change in the workplace and community. She believes that all people should have the agency to show up as their whole selves. Janice is honored to partner with organizations in Kalamazoo who serve and support groups that have been historically excluded.
laura galaviz
Laura Galaviz serves as the Grants Manager at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. She earned an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and a Masters from Sarah Lawrence College, both in Writing, and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Program Evaluation at Michigan State University. Laura spent the past 15 years teaching in higher education and working in the nonprofit sector, the last five as the director of a community scholarship program. She is passionate about working behind the scenes to remove barriers in processes and systems that have historically served to exclude communities from philanthropy. Laura believes "systems tied to wealth often come with an invisible set of rules and requirements that maintain the status quo. Explicitly stating or eliminating these can connect powerful work to necessary funding.
