Board of Directors
Meet the Board
Steve Rutowski, Chairman of the Board (returning board member)
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After graduating high school in 1972, Steve entered an apprenticeship and received his Journeyman's card as a Reinforcing Ironworker. In 1976, he experienced a diving accident that left him quadriplegic. Unexpectedly faced with such a profound life change, Steve, with the support of family, friends, and a deep faith, has embraced life to its fullest. Answering God’s calling, he serves the community as a licensed minister. His interests include sailing, kayaking, traveling, designing stained glass, and kites. He aspire to be a valuable asset to everybody supported by the Disability Network.
Jordyn Elhart, Vice-chair
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Jordyn is an occupational therapist who currently works full-time for Northwest Education Services and part-time for Therapy Connections TC. She received her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Milligan College in eastern Tennessee before returning home to Traverse City in 2018. Jordyn has specialized training in executive functioning skills, sensory processing, LSVT BIG, and is a certified ADHD rehabilitation service provider. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including experience in outpatient pediatrics, school-based practice, adult home health and adult outpatient services. Jordyn is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve individuals with disabilities both as an occupational therapist and as a member of the Disability Network of Northern Michigan's Board of Directors. In her free time, Jordyn enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and spending time along Lake Michigan with her husband and their dog, Fuzzy.
Kristen Erby Weber, Director
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Kristen Erby Weber is a social worker and disability rights advocate. She works as Regional
Director for the Northern Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and also serves on
the Traverse City Council’s Human Rights Commission. Kristen moved to the area from Boulder,
Colorado where she served as President of the Autism Society of Colorado for a number of
years. She served on numerous non-profit boards for organizations that support the
independence and acceptance of people with disabilities/ disabled people. She received her
degree from Eastern Michigan University and began her career working in Detroit before moving
West. In 2018 she was appointed by Colorado Governor Hickenlooper to the State
Developmental Disability Council, where she served under him and Governor Jared Polis, as
their Policy Committee's Co-Chair. Kristen enjoys being outside in all of Michigan’s beautiful
seasons and enjoys visiting her grown children and their families in Denver, Washington DC,
Seattle and Vancouver, BC Canada. When asked why she chooses to serve as a DNNM Board
member, she says “I’m not just an advocate, I’m a self-advocate and I want to spend my time
working for real acceptance of everyone, in all parts of life, work and community”
Debbie Dacey
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Debbie Dacey and her husband moved to Traverse City from Cincinnati in 2012. While the beautiful Northern Michigan is quite an enticement for retirees, the bigger appeal was her daughter’s family and four grandchildren. Debbie is a retired speech-language pathologist with more than thirty-five years of experience working with children and adults with significant disabilities. She has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings as a therapist, consultant, and supervisor. She specialized in the use of assistive technology in the area of augmentative communication. Debbie has presented at local, state and national conferences. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville where she taught graduate classes in augmentative communication and computer access. She has a strong commitment to helping improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. Serving on the Board of the Disability Network of Northern Michigan is one more step on this lifelong journey.
Paul Derby
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Paul graduated in 2004 with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Lake Superior State University. He currently lives in Cadillac and is the business owner of Streamer’s Custom Flies where he crafts custom flies for fly fishermen. Paul is passionate about accessible recreation and strives to live life to the fullest. He enjoys skiing, sailing, kayaking, camping, fishing, and all that Northern Michigan has to offer. He is currently a committee member and Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 125 in Cadillac and is active with Knights of Columbus Council 1224. Paul became a board member in Spring 2014 and is excited to have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of others with disabilities.
Brandon Dornbusch
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Brandon received his undergraduate degree with honors from Michigan State University in History with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2011. He currently practices estate planning in Traverse City. He is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by tailoring plans specifically to each of his clients. Part of his practice involves helping disabled individuals with guardianships and conservatorships, Medicaid planning, and special needs trust issues. As an attorney with a disability, Brandon finds a great deal of fulfillment in helping others with disabilities increase their degree of independence, and improve their quality of life. When not practicing law, Brandon enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors around Traverse City, fishing, hunting, hiking, and spending time with his wife, Charlotte, and dog, Bosco.
Coco Stephenson
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Coco Stephenson is the CEO of Grand Traverse Resource Center. She worked at Grand Traverse Industries as a Program Manager, Community Employment Specialist and Custodial Manager simultaneously. Coco volunteered with Arts 4 All for approximately ten years and thereafter became a Board Member. She advocates for individuals of all abilities for community, promotes social integration and uses her time and resources to help others in the community. She demonstrated a keen ability to empower individuals to achieve their goals and dreams. Her unwavering commitment to serving others and her passion for making a difference in peoples lives makes her exceptional leader and inspiration to many.
Brandon Dornbusch, Treasurer (returning board member)
Reuben Miller, Director
Ex-Officio Board
Jackie Duncan
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Jackie is a Mortgage Originator at West Shore Bank.