We are thrilled to announce a new Executive Director to lead The W.E.L.L. Outreach. After nearly five years since the inception of The W.E.L.L., Paul and Michelle Aultman, along with The W.E.L.L.’s board, have hired Heather Bauman to serve as the organization’s director! Heather took over fully in July as the first hired director of the non-profit.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to continue working with a nonprofit and reaching out to services available to Michigan residents. I am pleased to be in the position to make sure Arenac County and surrounding areas are getting their needs met – and having the flexibility of a private nonprofit that can fill in any gaps in services,” said Bauman. “This public/private partnership will help impact the lives of Arenac County residents in very meaningful ways.”
Heather Bauman, MBA, joins The W.E.L.L. with more than 15 years of experience working for and with nonprofit sectors. Prior to accepting this position, she has worked with several statewide organizations, with a focus on veterans, developing funding opportunities and marketing their services throughout the state. She is originally from Hemlock, Michigan, resides in Standish, Michigan and has experience in both nonprofit and the private business sector. Her background includes serving as a board member for several non-profit organizations, as well as being a member of many service organizations.
“What an amazing asset Heather will be to this board!” said Stephanie Buffman, Director of the Arenac County Economic Development Corporation. “The growth of our communities, as well as the health and safety of our residents here in Arenac County, depends so much on maintaining an open line of communication between residents, businesses, and government entities. The W.E.L.L. has already established significant momentum in reaching this goal, and Heather – with her education and experience – will only continue to move the organization forward.”
Heather has a Master’s in Business Administration from Devos Graduate School with a concentration in Business Acumen, Critical Thinking, Personal Effectiveness, and Global Free Enterprise Perspective. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and an Associate of Arts in Advertising from Northwood University. Heather is focused on applying her knowledge in business management across the non-profit sector to create a more holistic community approach to serving the needs of businesses, employees, and community members, while helping connect each with resources available through the public and private sectors.
The W.E.L.L. Outreach is a non-profit 501c3 community and family-centered organization whose aim is to build a stronger community by empowering individuals to take charge of their lives. This will be accomplished through programs focusing on awakening the potential in people whose lives may have told them otherwise.
- Hard skills training to address the needs of employers to help individuals become more employable. For these programs, The W.E.L.L. will partner with local colleges and public, and private programs already in place. The W.E.L.L. training center will be available for such programs.
- Employability readiness training to address the need of individuals to help them realize their potential.
- Family resources focusing on helping families build stronger bonds addressing such needs as financial planning, child development, marriage and relationship skills, mom-to-mom groups, fatherhood initiatives, etc. The W.E.L.L. will also partner with faith-based organizations to help achieve this initiative.
- Bring opportunities to match up employers within Arenac County to potential employees through exposing the young people in local high schools to what Arenac employers have to offer.
- To hold events that brings community and families together!
- Long-term goals would be to work with the local government to bring cultural opportunities to the area to offer more to entice young people to stay in the area.
- Our aim is to collaborate with others on bringing resources to empower people, families, and the community. The W.E.L.L. is here to connect existing resources to the need and help to create those resources that may be insufficient or do not currently exist.
