Vice President of Programs: Dawn Drozd– Two year term expires June 30, 2025
Dawn Drozd is an author and CEO of ClearVision. Since 2005, she’s worked with hundreds of business owners as a thinking partner to help overcome obstacles and reach more goals. Her book, The Success Code, is based on interviews with over 50 Michigan business owners who shared a roadmap for leaders who want to achieve more for their organizations. Dawn is a member of the Small Business Association’s Leadership Council and served as Macomb Habitat for Humanity’s Board Chair.
She moved to Harper Woods in 2020 and joined the League because she is passionate about the mission. She looks forward to serving in the role of Vice President of Programs.
Director of Programs: Joan Richardson–1 year term expires June 30, 2024
Joan is a retired professional writer and editor. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and ended it as editor-in-chief of the premier magazine for K-12 educators (Kappan magazine) and director of the national PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools. She also was twice elected to the Grosse Pointe Board of Education, including a term as president, during the early 2000s. Her work as a magazine editor required her to stay abreast of trends in education and to seek researchers and thought leaders who could translate their discoveries and ideas into articles appropriate for the broad audience served by the magazine. That skill is directly applicable to developing programming for LWV. The Director of Programs must be aware of the issues of most interest to members and identify and convince appropriate speakers to make presentations to the group.
Director of Voter Services: Julianne Phillips–2 year term expires June 30, 2025
Julianne is a native Detroiter. She attended Gesu School and Immaculata High School. Julianne holds a Doctorate degree in Instructional Technology and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University. Julianne is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and she specializes in helping women to obtain their next step, whether on the career ladder or after the career ladder. Her business, The JHP Consulting Group, LLC, helps women to boost their confidence level.
Julianne has been a Grosse Pointe Park resident for 30 years. Her husband Dwight is enjoying retirement. They enjoy visiting their daughter, Lauren, in San Francisco. Besides her passion of cooking, gardening and planning memorable events, she has a love of pineapples. The pineapple, a sign of hospitality, defines her mantra: Stand tall – Wear a crown – Be sweet
Director, Membership: Jaime Rae Turnbull–Two year term expires June 30, 2025
Jaime’s diverse background offers first-hand project management, real estate, fundraising, marketing and event expertise to a wide array of clients. Jaime Rae designs custom philanthropic and marketing programs and is instrumental in connecting for-profit and non-profit organizations for mutually beneficial relationships. Jaime Rae combined her real estate development and project management skills to provide owner’s representative services for real estate properties and continued her passion for real estate by joining her family business, Higbie Maxon Agency. She is a graduate of Northwood University, Grosse Pointe South High School and a member of the board of the City of Grosse Pointe Park Downtown Development Authority, Fight4Wellness, and The Helm. She is the wife to loving husband Doug and proud mother of Alexandra Rae.
Secretary: Judy Masserang–2 year term expires June 30, 2025
Judy has a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Technology and Communications from Wayne State University. She is a past board member and volunteer on the program committee at Matrix Human Services, one of the oldest social services organizations in Southeast Michigan. Matrix helps Detroiters reach self-sufficiency through positive hands-up life experiences. She has worked on Grosse Pointe Woods elections for the past 8 years and was an observer of the Board of Canvassers for the November election. She previously served as President of Grosse Pointe Rotary. Judy is the current president of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Foundation. Judy has served as Board secretary for the past two years and continues to see the position of secretary as an optimal way to get to know League board officers and members.
Chair, Nominating Committee: Laura Larson–1 year term expires June 30, 2024
Laura received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami and began her professional flute career playing piccolo in the Miami (Florida) Philharmonic. Her chamber music performance credits include Weill Recital Hall in New York City, Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series and concert tours to Europe, Japan and China. Formerly principal flutist of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, Larson currently plays flute and piccolo with the Detroit Opera Orchestra. She is on the adjunct applied faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit and is a Suzuki Flute teacher trainer.
Nominating Committee Member: Judy Gafa–1 year term expires June 30, 2024
Judy Gafa is a registered nurse, working full time with the elderly. She and her husband, Kenn, have a long history of public service: Judy, a League member since 2010, served 3 terms on the Grosse Pointe School Board; Kenn sits on the Grosse Pointe Woods city council and is also a member of LWVGP. Judy and Kenn have three adult children, Madison, Owen, and Shane. Judy also served as Nominating Committee Chair for LWVGP in 2022-23.
Judy and Kenn enjoy escaping to their cottage in Caseville where they relax and recharge.