Jennifer Wolfe Howard to join Ele’s Place as new President/CEO

Ele’s Place Ann Arbor, a healing center for grieving children, teens and their families, announced today that effective Monday, December 12, 2022, Jennifer Wolfe Howard will join Ele’s Place, Inc. as the new President/CEO. Since 2020, Ms. Howard served as the Assistant Director of the Geriatrics Center Community Programs and the Director of the Turner Senior Wellness Program with Michigan Medicine.

Prior to this, Ms. Howard served as the Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Association – Michigan Great Lakes Chapter for 10 years, where she led the Ann Arbor, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Muskegon branches. Earlier in her career, she worked as a clinical social worker at the University of Michigan Health System – Turner Geriatric Clinic, and as a Field Instructor with the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ms. Howard earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, received a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Wayne State University, and holds her LMSW certification.

Mike Halpern, Governing Board Vice-Chair of Ele’s Place, Inc., and Co-Chair of the Ele’s Place Transition Team stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Jenn to Ele’s Place as the new President/CEO. She brings a wealth of experience in leading non-profit organizations, fundraising and team building. Jenn’s keen business acumen will be particularly beneficial as she serves as the statewide leader of Ele’s Place Headquarters, and our four branches located throughout Michigan.”

Ms. Howard is married and has two children who attend the University of Michigan, where they play in the marching band. In her spare time, Jenn plays alto saxophone in the Ann Arbor Concert band, a pastime she has enjoyed for more than 20 years.

“The Ele’s Place mission speaks to me personally, as I experienced the death of my father when I was a teenager. Like so many adults, I truly wish there had been a place like Ele’s Place when I was young and my family was grieving,” stated Jennifer Wolfe Howard. “I appreciate that Ele’s Place provides safe and compassionate spaces for grieving children, teens and their families to heal, free of charge, for as long as a family needs. I’m honored and grateful to be part of an organization that creates a positive impact for so many by providing peer grief support that allows families to continue their healing journey together.”

The Governing Board of Ele’s Place, Inc. is extremely grateful to Kate Powers for taking on the additional role of Interim President/CEO during the search process. Ms. Powers will continue to serve as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place, Inc. In this role that she has held since 2018, Ms. Powers leads the fundraising, development, marketing and communication functions for the organization.

“I am excited to welcome Jenn to the Ele’s Place team. Her skill set, personal and professional background, as well as her commitment to mental health support will be wonderful assets for our organization,” stated Kate Powers. “I look forward to getting to know Jenn, and working with her for many years to come.”

Brock Fletcher, Governing Board Chair of Ele’s Place, Inc. concluded by stating, “I am confident that the combined skills of Jenn and Kate working together will lead Ele’s Place to the next level. I look forward to the Ele’s Place team achieving new heights in our peer grief support programming, financial stability and organizational health as we help ensure Michigan’s children and teens do not have to grieve alone.”

About Ele’s Place Ann Arbor

The Ele’s Place Ann Arbor team remains committed to our mission, and dedicated to children, teens and their families who are grieving in our community. We are grateful to be able to create a safe, welcoming, healing space for grieving children, teens and their families in Ann Arbor, and the surrounding southeast Michigan area, free of charge, for as long as they need.

About Ele’s Place, Inc.

Ele’s Place is a non-profit, community-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children, teens and their families throughout Michigan, with Branches located in Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids. The Headquarters leadership team and Governing Board of Ele’s Place, Inc. are also located in Lansing. Ele’s Place is dedicated solely to helping children and teens work with and through grief in a peer-to-peer group setting. The organization’s vision is that no child or teen should have to grieve alone. For more information, please visit the Ele’s Place website at www.elesplace.org.