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Starfish announces selection of next CEO!

November 22, 2022 by Starfish Family Services

We are so honored to announce the next CEO of Starfish Family Services! Following a national search, unanimous approval from the search committee, and enthusiastic support from the Board of Directors – Roxanne Brinkerhoff has been named the incoming Chief Executive Officer. She will begin her role on January 17, 2023.  

For more than 20 years, Brinkerhoff has brought significant leadership to children-focused nonprofits. Roxanne is the out-going CEO of Detroit Institute for Children and a past executive at The Guidance Center, a strong and collaborative partner to Starfish. Brinkerhoff considers outgoing Starfish CEO, Ann Kalass, a mentor and the two have worked in partnership in the community for more than a decade.  

“I am incredibly honored to welcome Roxanne to the CEO role at Starfish,” Kalass shared. “I have witnessed Roxanne to be an unrelenting advocate for families, community, and innovation. She has a powerful determination, and I have no doubt that her expertise and vision will carry Starfish into an incredible new chapter.”  

A graduate of the University of Michigan and Leadership Detroit XXXVII, Brinkerhoff is a member and past vice president of Great Start Collaborative-Wayne. She is a proven asset to children and families who are navigating labels and social barriers, whether gender, special educational pathways, mental health needs, or neurodiversity.   

“I am so excited and honored to join the Starfish team and come home to the work I love the most,” Brinkerhoff continued. “I have been fortunate to focus on children and families through my entire career, and early childhood education and behavioral health are the center of my passion and expertise.”  

Brinkerhoff called Starfish a national model for children-focused nonprofits, with a dedicated and dynamic staff.  

“Starfish is excited to welcome Roxanne to the CEO role and our full community,” said Board Chair Carla Burney Jones. “She brings unmatched experience in our program areas and has an obvious and inspiring commitment to mission and a vibrant future both for Starfish and the children and families of Southeast Michigan. We feel very fortunate to hire someone with such meaningful expertise and who is already deeply respected in the community for her impact.”  

Current Chief Program Officer and Starfish employee for more than 20 years, Marisa Nicely, reflected, “When I recently learned of Roxanne’s hire – I was immediately excited about working together and her arrival to the Starfish team! Roxanne and I have worked together in the community for a long time. She is an inspiring leader and has been a force in our movements for years and years. Her kindness and empathy make her a stand-out. She puts the Starfish values of integrity, equity, and teamwork into action every day.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to build on decades of accomplishments and trust and ensure that inclusion and equity are woven into the fabric of our daily action and long-term planning,” Brinkerhoff said. “I have been inspired by the dedication of everyone I interacted with and cannot wait to get started.”  

For Brinkerhoff, this role is also deeply personal as a former Head Start parent herself.   

“I know first-hand how amazing Head Start is and how the program helps families through the day-to-day challenges while also helping to build hope and strength for tomorrow. Our Head Start teacher was an angel in our lives,” Brinkerhoff reflected.  

Brinkerhoff is incredibly proud of her two young adult children who are a Division 1 pitcher and engineering student – and – an aviation-focused professional, respectively. Roxanne’s husband is a long-term educator in the Wayne Westland Community Schools District, another partner entity to Starfish in Wayne County.  

Starfish is working on a variety of virtual and in-person Meet & Greet opportunities starting in the new year. We cannot wait for you to meet her!  

With excitement and gratitude,  

Carla Burney Jones – Board Chair 

Howard Morris – Most recent past Board Chair and CEO Search Committee Chair  

Click here to read announcement article from Crain’s Detroit Business: https://www.starfishfamilyservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Starfish-names-Roxanne-Brinkerhoff-as-its-next-CEO-_-Crains-Detroit-Business-1.pdf

Filed Under: Blog, Starfish Family Services Tagged With: Ann Kalass, Announcement, New CEO, Roxanne Brinkerhoff

Ann Kalass: Looking to Retirement

May 12, 2022 by Starfish Family Services

All of my days at Starfish have been inspiring.

A personal note from Starfish CEO Ann Kalass

Dear friends,

When I came to Starfish Family Services in 2007, I made two commitments on Day One. First, was to always do the right thing for children and families, even when it was hard. Perhaps most when it was hard. Second, was to steward the existing Starfish culture of loyalty to mission, teamwork, and deep love of children and families.

In the nearly 15 years since beginning this journey, my own daughters have become amazing young adults, I’ve witnessed new teachers become master educators changing lives every day—and therapists partner with families to heal and build skills and resilience.

I’ve shed tears as clients from the Starfish Family crossed a graduation stage, found stability and health, and discovered their power.

I’ve sat in countless classrooms where children are joyfully playing, having their curiosity cheered on, and a lifelong love of learning is being born. No two days have been the same. All of them have been inspiring. 

I have always closed the day feeling humbled by the opportunity to lead, to be surrounded by the most amazing teams and collaborators, and to strengthen families to create brighter futures for children in SE Michigan. Thus, the news I share today brings me both joy and tender reflection.

Late yesterday afternoon, I shared with the 400+ employees at Starfish that I am planning for a transition to retirement by early next year. This announcement has been in the works for many months and in discussion with my family far longer.
My tenure and success have been bolstered by our incredible friends and supporters in the community. Together, we’ve been able to grow the agency by nearly 400% (both budget and team), expand our programmatic reach, and center our vision in seeking a just society in which all children, families, and communities have equitable opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive.

While change has complexity, this transition will be planful and is in the best of hands.

  • A search committee formed a couple of months back and has already secured a recruiting firm to lead a national search for exceptional candidates.
  • Our Board President, Howard Morris, is leading this process.

In fact, Howard was a member of the committee that hired me to the role of CEO following our visionary founder, Ouida Cash. This is more than just fate—it reflects the commitment and dedication that is part of the DNA of Starfish.

I will remain as CEO until a new leader is hired and a smooth transition is complete. Before then, there will be opportunities to connect and celebrate. Thank you for trusting Starfish through the years and into the future.

Lastly, Crain’s Business Detroit covered this announcement if you’d like to read the article.
With immeasurable gratitude,

Ann Kalass, Starfish CEO

Starfish Family Services

Filed Under: Blog, Starfish Family Services Tagged With: Ann Kalass, CEO Retires

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Recent Posts

  • A Note from our CEO, Roxanne Brinkerhoff: Tragedy at Michigan State University
  • Talking to children about racialized violence: Tips & Support from Starfish behavioral health and DEI experts
  • Starfish announces selection of next CEO!
  • Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day
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Our Mission

Strengthening families to create brighter futures for children.

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A just society in which all children, families, and communities have equitable opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive.

Starfish Family Services
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30000 Hiveley
Inkster, MI 48141
734. 728. 3400

starfish@sfish.org

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