BY AJ Trager
FERNDALE – Affirmations has hired two new staff members, filling senior staff management positions.
After a three month search, Affirmations has named Jill Proctor as Director of Marketing and Communications and Charlotte Myers as Director of Development. The two have already begun acclimating to the Affirmations atmosphere, adding their voices to the community center.
"I was particularly drawn to working at Affirmations because I care deeply about equality, justice and compassion for all people, regardless of who they are or whom they love," Proctor told BTL. "I feel strongly that the center is an invaluable resource for LGBT people in Metro Detroit and I am driven to contribute as much as I can to help it grow. My hope is that through my work, donors, center visitors and the general public will learn more about the value of Affirmations' work and be compelled to participate more in our efforts."
Proctor, who had previously led marketing for special exhibitions at the Detroit Institute of Arts, will oversee planning, coordination and execution of all marketing, communications and public relations initiatives for Affirmations. Prior to her work at the DIA, Proctor held marketing positions at CARFAX and Volkswagen Group of America and is a former volunteer for the HIV/AIDS Resource Center in Ypsilanti. She holds a B.A. in sociology from the University of Michigan.
"I have had a lifelong interest in sexual orientation and gender," said Myers. "It is what I am most passionate about, and it is my career goal to work for causes exactly like Affirmations' mission. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to devote my time and talents to this important cause."
Myers, previously a development officer at the University of Michigan's Rackham Graduate School, will be responsible for design and implementation of Affirmations' individual, corporate and foundation fund development campaigns, as well as signature fundraising events. She also serves as a board member of the Jim Toy Community Center in Ann Arbor and holds a B.A. in women's studies from the University of Michigan.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have these two incredibly talented individuals on board to help us continue to fulfill our mission of providing high-quality programs and services to Metro Detroit's LGBT community," said Darrious Hilmon, executive director at Affirmations. "Their combined experience and leadership skills are going to be huge assets to our organization as we continue to grow."
