MARN MYERS:
 
MARN MYERS




 
 
 
 
 
President and CEO of the Judson Center in Royal Oak. Judson Center is a nonprofit human service agency that helps children, adults, and families in the child welfare system and with developmental disabilities. The agency provides more than 360,000 services yearly. Recruited in 1986, Myers has seen the organization expand its services to include adults with developmental disabilities and autistic children and their families. During that time, the organization has grown from providing services in two Michigan counties to 10, and its budget has expanded from $5 million to $20 million. Myers is a member of Leadership Oakland Class XIV. In 2005, she was recognized as an Oakland County Executive of the Year by the Oakland Executives Association, and in 2006, she was again recognized for leadership when the Oakland Chapter of Harvard Alumni selected her to attend "Strategic Perspectives in Management" on Harvard's campus. Myers serves on the boards of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families and the Michigan Asperger Society. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.


WHERE BORN: "Eau Claire, Wisconsin."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "There have been many people who have walked along side of me. If I had to pick one I'd say mom. She really has taught me to value that which is most important and has pointed out that there are opportunities everywhere and anything is possible. She also has said that anything worth doing is worth doing well."

LAST BOOK READ: "Suze Ormond's 2009 Action Plan. Before that, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness by Steven Scott. It's based on secrets of success from proverbs and Solomon. It shows how to be persistent by working smart and planning well, and having a vision for every aspect of your life."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Positive in my outlook. It's been said that I have quiet strength; I also lift people up and encourage them. Trustworthy."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "There's so much exciting research in brain development. Our field is headed for a very bright future. The individuals who we work with that have autism and mental issues – there's going to be some real breakthroughs in the next few years. Once the field is informed with this research, we'll have more options to connect people to help them with their challenges. We'll be able to look at their challenges more holistically than we do now. It's a very promising time."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "I'm not very tech-oriented, but I'd say my handheld. It has my contacts, my email. It just amazes me."

FAVORITE PLACE: "I love to travel so I have lots of them. Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany, in the southern part of Germany near the Austrian border."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Spending time with family and friends. We get so busy in this world so it's important to take time and stay connected. Also, reading and travel."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Just plain chicken. There are so many ways you can fix it and not get tired of it."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "I like to write. It's limited now to letters to friends but I try to write a message each month to staff to encourage them."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "As a godly woman who loved life, both the journey and the people, and who lived to make a difference in her little corner of the world."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.