We just completed a big board transition—adding six new trustees to join four continuing members. Here’s what the board does, how we build it, and why this year’s team is exciting.
Thank you & congratulations
Thank you, Jamie Lynn Slenker – our outgoing Board President, for steady leadership through growth.
Congratulations, Tim Cowan – our incoming President. Tim teaches stained glass at MakeHaven, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, and brings a sharp legal mind to the role.
Member Voice Milestone
For the first time, members directly elected a board seat. Congrats to Laurel Lyngklip, our member‑choice trustee! Laurel blends fundraising savvy, marketing experience, and true maker cred (she leads our GEMS program).
What the Board Actually Does
- Steward the mission & money: Set long‑term strategy, approve budgets, ensure legal/financial health.
- Support & evaluate the Executive Director: Evaluate leadership and ensure director accountable.
- Policy & risk oversight: Adopt key policies (safety, conflict of interest, etc.) and monitor risks.
- Committee work: Most work happens in committees (finance, governance, development, etc.) where members dig into topics and report back.
Details here: Board Duties & Expectations
How We Build the Board
The Governance Committee looks for:
- Skills & experience: Finance, law, IT/security, marketing, fundraising, strategy, safety, nonprofit governance, and more.
- Representation: Gender balance, racial/ethnic diversity, age mix, and neighborhoods across Greater New Haven (plus nearby towns).
- Maker mindset: People who “get” MakeHaven’s hands‑on, inclusive, DIY culture.
This year’s slate is intentionally balanced: roughly 50% women, 50% people of color, ages spanning early career to seasoned pros, and members from New Haven (multiple neighborhoods), Hamden, Milford, and Branford.
Meet the New Trustees
Laurel Lyngklip (Member Choice) – Advancement professional at DAE Education (ex‑Wesleyan). Leads our GEMS program, serves on Development Committee; brings fundraising know‑how, marketing skills, and maker credibility. LinkedIn
Jessica Greer – Senior Director of Cybersecurity Services at Proofpoint; experience scaling organizations; board secretary at Branford Community Garden. Deep IT/security expertise and a passion for expanding MakeHaven’s regional reach. LinkedIn
Jorge A. Amador, JD, CPA, CFF – Forensic‑accounting director and attorney with 15+ years leading complex investigations. Former audit‑committee co‑chair at a transitioning nonprofit; expert in finance, risk, and governance. Team Rubicon volunteer; fluent in Spanish. Learn more
Aly Fox – VP of Community & Belonging at United Way of Greater New Haven. Designs high‑impact board retreats, reviews major grants, and runs a natural‑dye textiles micro‑business. Brings governance facilitation, DEI focus, and grant experience. Profile
Shivanjali Khare – Tenure-track assistant professor in computer science and cybersecurity program at University of New Haven; three‑year MakeHaven member. Connects us to academic networks, education programming, and community engagement. Learn more
Kevin Williams, PhD – Strategy professor at Yale SOM specializing in growth metrics, churn analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making. Ready to strengthen our strategic planning and board analytics. Faculty page
Continuing Trustees
Tim Cowan (President) – Litigation associate; MakeHaven stained glass instructor; Habitat volunteer.
Malik Okoro (Treasurer) – Biopharma and entrepreneurship focus; champion of sustainable solutions.
Shaunda Holloway – New Haven artist and writer with deep community roots.
Terence Dew – Senior Software Engineer at Yale; founder of STEAM Academy (a guerrilla makerspace in Queens).
Start Your Leadership Journey
Committees are where most people begin. If you’re curious about governance, fundraising, safety, DEI, education, or strategy, we want you involved.