About Abbie

Hello, Friend.

You and I share a vision for an inclusive and connected East Grand Rapids, one in which our rich traditions expand to welcome and include everyone through universal access to shared resources, representative and responsive government and true partnership within and across our city's borders.

Like you, I love living in this community – I love running the Reeds Lake Trail; walking to Gaslight with friends to grab a cup of coffee in the morning or a beer in the evening; gathering with neighbors around the firepit on summer evenings; sledding in Manhattan park in the winter; and participating in the various annual celebrations, parades and community events in our shared spaces.

Like you, I also recognize that our community – like all communities – has work to do to ensure that everyone feels safe, welcome, included and heard. I’m running for Ward 3 City Commissioner because I want to be part of making East Grand Rapids a truly inclusive and connected community: a community in which the government is connected to the needs of all its residents; a community that deliberately connects to the broader social, environmental, political and economic ecosystems of West Michigan; and a community in which we consistently seek innovative solutions to old and new challenges.

I look forward to connecting with you and learning how I can best serve you and our community!

Abbie has over twenty years of experience in public sector service, including

Classroom teaching at both K-12 and postsecondary levels
Public K-12 school and district leadership
Policy and implementation leadership at the Michigan Department of Education focused on state and federal programs, educator workforce and educational equity
Nonprofit leadership in service of school districts within the Greater Grand Rapids area and nationwide
Community organizing
Board and volunteer leadership for various organizations, including YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin and the West Michigan Chapter of the Pink Boots Society
Mentoring, coaching and volunteer work within East Grand Rapids and the East Grand Rapids Public Schools

Abbie is a graduate of

East Kentwood High School
Indiana University (Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science)
Harvard University (Master of Education in Administration, Planning and Social Policy)
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College (Certificate in Craft Brewing)

Abbie has lived in East Grand Rapids for ten years with her husband, Robert, and daughter, Ellison, a sophomore at East Grand Rapids High School. She is an avid runner and triathlete (having completed three Ironman races and countless marathons, half marathons and other distances), a skilled baker and an enthusiastic (yet terrible) gardener. She is currently the Head Brewer at Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids.