STAFF

​Adam grant
Executive director

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Adam's (he/him) path to ABW has of over three decades of incarceration, including 27 straight years for a bank robbery he committed at the age of 22. He began his path of service serving as P.R. Director for N.A.A.C.P. at Saginaw Correctional Facility. He has worked within other organizations in a variety of capacities: expanding educational programming;
training group facilitators; providing mentoring and training; developing curriculum and constructing the framework for a Peer Recovery Coaching program. Adam knows personally that current recidivism rates do not have to be a foregone conclusion with support, guidance and empathy for returned citizens. He believes that good reentry makes for better public safety, and that if we invest in our returned citizens, there will be   A Brighter Way ahead for all of us.

Jeanne ross
deputy director

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​Jeanne (she/her) received her Masters of Psychology degree from Eastern Michigan University and worked in mental health for nearly 30 years, including at Washtenaw Community Mental Health and Ypsilanti Regional Psychiatric Hospital. For twelve years Jeanne worked in the Corrections Mental Health Program as an administrator developing programs for mentally ill offenders. Jeanne made a bold career move to the culinary arts as a professional chef working at a number of resorts in Palm Beach, Fl. She combined her passion for working with people and food as a culinary instructor at The Lord's Place, a Florida nonprofit training the homeless and formerly incarcerated people to work in the food industry. Upon her return to Michigan,  She eventually went back to her roots of working with people and became the Culinary Instructor at The Lord's Place, a local non-profit training the homeless and formerly incarcerated people to work in the food industry. Upon her return to Michigan, Jeanne joined ABW as a board member and was employed as Deputy Director in 2021.

Rick ward

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Rick grew up in an unstable home, shuttling between Lansing and S.W. Detroit. He started getting into trouble at an early age and committed his 1st felony at the age of 14. With no guidance, he barreled down the wrong path and ended up serving a total of 21 years in prison and jail. At the age of 39, while incarcerated, his path began to turn when he was given the opportunity to participate in a program called “Chance for Life ''. From the humble beginnings of this program Rick learned he actually wanted to help other people similarly situated. He found his way to his current calling through being a recovery coach at Home of New Vision and a mentor in Jackson counties S.T.E.P. program. He is motivated to to assist people who have been formerly incarcerated to navigate the pitfalls of supervision and a felony record. He understands that service is reciprocal and he gains as much as he gives in service. He looks forward to building strong relationships with the ABW community. He is eager to be the light he needed when he began his path to growth and is excited to lend that light to A Brighter Way.

Laquan Hill
Mentor Coordinator

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Laquan (Q) grew up in the Detroit area. As a youth he moved around a lot and struggled as family dynamics changed. He fought a lot, but playing high school football provided discipline.  After H.S. Q joined the Marines. His anger issues resurfaced resulting in a fight, his first incarceration and discharge. After the Marines Q worked several jobs but lacked purpose.  On impulse he participated in an armed robbery in which someone was shot and seriously injured. At age 25 he was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections and served 16 years. In prison Q became involved with Houses of Healing and honestly dealt with past trauma- a life changing experience. This is where he met Adam Grant. Adam wouldn't give up on him and wouldn’t let Q give up on himself either. By facilitating groups and classes Q learned who he was all he had to offer. Adam and Q continued to plan for the future, and ABW was Q's first stop upon release earlier this year. Much like Houses of Healing reveal Q's purpose, ABW has inspired him to be the best version of himself-and that's being a mentor to others. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

​Al Newman
​Board President

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Al comes from a career in the for-profit business world and is now highly involved in the non-profit community of Washtenaw County. Al was serial entrepreneur, his assistance was enlisted when the agency was founding to help grow the organization. Al works tirelessly for many non-profits in the Washtenaw County arena. He is an avid biker who has biked on every continent and is devoted to his family spending time daily with his grandchildren. ​

Laurence O'Connell
Treasurer

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Larry is Director of Operations at Mathematical Review.

Ashley McCloskey
​secretary

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Ashley is Associate Director of Development at the Stephen R. Ross School of Business.

Kim Thomas

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Kim is a Professor with the University of Michigan Law Clinic with a specialty in criminal law with adults and children.

Bonnie Billups

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Bonnie is Executive Director of Peace Neighborhood Center.

​Kat Layton

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Kat Layton (she/her) is a Service Coordinator for the Jail Diversion program at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health. Kat earned her B.S. from the University of Texas in Austin and her M.S.W. from the University of Michigan. Kat has spent her professional experience and engagement focusing on decarcerating the jails, while dismantling the unjust criminal legal system.
Prior to her work at CMH, Kat worked for Ingham County Public Defender's office and the Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit.
Kat and her wife and two rescue pups, live in Ypsilanti where they enjoy long walks in different parks in their neighborhood.

Cynthia Harrison 

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Cynthia is a life-long member of the Ann Arbor Community and has a BS from EMU. Cynthia is currently a Program Manager at The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living and is also running for the Ann Arbor City Council in Ward One. Cynthia is a long standing mental health advocate and passionate about social justice issues. She believes in creating a flourishing healthy community where everyone feels safe and included and is a progressive advocate for accessible, affordable housing.

​Cynthia raised her family in Ann Arbor where she grew up, it is there that she enjoys taking nature walks with her son. In her spare time Cynthia spends time with her family, and her grandpuppy, a sweet pitbull boxer mix. She loves to travel, is active outdoors at local parks, and enjoys kayaking and biking and attending U of M football games in the fall with her spouse..​