Our Co-Founders
Eddie Saade
Co-Founder &President
As a school counselor and father, Eddie co-founded this initiative in honor of his daughter, Ava Michelle. He is committed to breaking down financial and systemic barriers to comprehensive mental health support, ensuring every family can access the care they need.
Nicole Saade
Co-Founder, Vice President, & secretary
Driven by Ava Michelle’s legacy, Nicole advocates for families navigating both grief and broader mental health obstacles. She is dedicated to improving access to care and fostering a hopeful, inclusive space where every person feels supported and resilient.
Sam Boumis
Board Member
Sam Boumis is an attorney and government relations professional with extensive experience building partnerships across Michigan's public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Through his expertise in legal affairs, public policy, and community engagement, Sam helps The Ava Michelle Project strengthen relationships, expand its reach, and connect with leaders and organizations that share a commitment to supporting individuals and families through life's most difficult challenges.
Barb Mannino
Board Member
Barb Mannino offers profound expertise in grief support and ministry, having served families through Ele’s Place and the Tri-County Office on Aging. There, she helped families navigate the losses and life transitions of aging by coordinating resources and support plans with caregivers. As a pastor’s wife, Barb has also walked alongside individuals and families through seasons of loss, transition, and uncertainty. Her compassion, resourcefulness, and commitment to helping others access meaningful mental health support make her a valued member of The Ava Michelle Project and its mission.
Julie Brilliant
Board Member
Julie Brilliant is an educational leader and assistant principal who has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering young people. Raised with a strong belief in the importance of community service and giving back, she has carried that commitment throughout her life through her work in education and service on numerous nonprofit and community boards. Julie brings valuable leadership, strategic insight, and a deep passion for helping children and families thrive.
Tim Van Loh
Board Member
Tim Van Loh serves as the Outreach Pastor at South Church in Lansing and has devoted his life to helping individuals and families find hope, purpose, and connection. With decades of experience in ministry, community outreach, leadership, and mentoring, Tim brings a compassionate heart for serving others and a deep commitment to supporting those facing life's most difficult challenges. His guidance, wisdom, and passion for building strong communities make him a valued member of The Ava Michelle Project's Board of Directors.
Jason Cords
Board Member
Jason Cords is a respected business leader and Executive Manager of Shaheen Chevrolet and Shaheen Cadillac in Lansing. With extensive experience in leadership, team development, and customer service, he is passionate about building strong relationships and giving back to the community he serves. Jason brings valuable business insight, strategic leadership, and a commitment to helping children and families overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
Scott Weaver
Board Member
Scott Weaver is President and Co-Owner of Douglas J Companies, a family-owned organization dedicated to education, professional development, and service for more than five decades. Throughout his career, Scott has been passionate about helping others reach their potential, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities. His leadership, commitment to education, and dedication to serving others continues as he serves on the board.
Micheal Herrema
Board Member
Michael Herrema is a business leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose career has been defined by servant leadership and a commitment to helping others succeed. As an owner of Tommy's Express Car Wash, he has championed a culture of community engagement, mentorship, and charitable giving. Michael brings valuable business expertise, strategic insight, and a passion for investing in people. His dedication to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others reflects the core values that drive the organization's mission.
Shaun Krick
Board Member
Shaun Krick brings a wealth of financial acumen and a strong personal commitment to The Ava Michelle Project. A highly skilled professional in the field of internal audit, Shaun possesses expert credentials in risk assessment and fiscal oversight. He leverages his background in auditing to provide strategic leadership, ensuring the organization’s resources are managed with integrity to best serve local families. Shaun is dedicated to using his professional expertise to maintain transparency and ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of the project’s essential mental health initiatives.
Our Co-Founders
Eddie Saade
Co-Founder, President & executive director
As a school counselor and father, Eddie co-founded this initiative in honor of his daughter, Ava Michelle. He is committed to breaking down financial and systemic barriers to comprehensive mental health support, ensuring every family can access the care they need.
Nicole Saade
Co-Founder & Director of family access
Driven by Ava Michelle’s legacy, Nicole advocates for families navigating both grief and broader mental health obstacles. She is dedicated to improving access to care and fostering a hopeful, inclusive space where every person feels supported and resilient.
Sam Boumis
Board Member
Sam Boumis is an attorney and government relations professional with extensive experience building partnerships across Michigan's public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Through his expertise in legal affairs, public policy, and community engagement, Sam helps The Ava Michelle Project strengthen relationships, expand its reach, and connect with leaders and organizations that share a commitment to supporting individuals and families through life's most difficult challenges.
Barb Mannino
Board Member
Jane brings extensive experience in grief support and ministry to our board, having worked with Ele’s Place and facilitated GriefShare at South Church. As a pastor’s wife with a background in counseling through the Tri-County Office on Aging, she has spent years walking alongside families navigating traumatic loss. Jane is deeply committed to The Ava Michelle Project’s mission of removing financial barriers to mental healthcare, ensuring that those facing complicated grief can access the professional support and healing resources they deserve regardless of their circumstances.
Julie Brilliant
Board Member
Julie Brilliant is an educational leader and assistant principal who has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering young people. Raised with a strong belief in the importance of community service and giving back, she has carried that commitment throughout her life through her work in education and service on numerous nonprofit and community boards. Julie brings valuable leadership, strategic insight, and a deep passion for helping children and families thrive.
Tim Van Loh
Board Member
Tim Van Loh serves as the Outreach Pastor at South Church in Lansing and has devoted his life to helping individuals and families find hope, purpose, and connection. With decades of experience in ministry, community outreach, leadership, and mentoring, Tim brings a compassionate heart for serving others and a deep commitment to supporting those facing life's most difficult challenges. His guidance, wisdom, and passion for building strong communities make him a valued member of The Ava Michelle Project's Board of Directors.
Jason Cords
Board Member
Jason Cords is a respected business leader and Executive Manager of Shaheen Chevrolet and Shaheen Cadillac in Lansing. With extensive experience in leadership, team development, and customer service, he is passionate about building strong relationships and giving back to the community he serves. Jason brings valuable business insight, strategic leadership, and a commitment to helping children and families overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
Scott Weaver
Board Member
Scott Weaver is President and Co-Owner of Douglas J Companies, a family-owned organization dedicated to education, professional development, and service for more than five decades. Throughout his career, Scott has been passionate about helping others reach their potential, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities. His leadership, commitment to education, and dedication to serving others continues as he serves on the board.
Micheal Herrema
Board Member
Michael Herrema is a business leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose career has been defined by servant leadership and a commitment to helping others succeed. As an owner of Tommy's Express Car Wash, he has championed a culture of community engagement, mentorship, and charitable giving. Michael brings valuable business expertise, strategic insight, and a passion for investing in people. His dedication to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others reflects the core values that drive the organization's mission.