The Kresge Foundation recently welcomed four staff members whose experience spans nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, public health and information technology.

Annette Sobocinski, Channing McKay, Leigh Alderman and Dawson Blanchard have joined teams across the foundation, bringing expertise that will support Kresge’s program work and operations.

In her role as a program officer with the Human Services Program, Sobocinski helps advance efforts to strengthen systems that expand opportunity and improve outcomes for children, families and communities. Before starting at Kresge, she served as CEO of Child Care Network, a Michigan nonprofit focused on strengthening early childhood systems and expanding access to high-quality child care.

“What drew me to Kresge is the opportunity to build on a career spent working alongside children, families, and communities while thinking more broadly about how systems can better support their goals and aspirations,” Sobocinski said. “I’m especially excited to be part of a Human Services team that is focused on advancing intergenerational economic success, centering racial equity, and supporting the next generation of human services organizations.”

Sobocinski began her career as a clinician working with children and families affected by trauma, violence, adversity and systemic barriers. She later held leadership roles at Whaley Children’s Center, ultimately serving as chief operating officer. She holds a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctor.

McKay is the newest associate program officer with Kresge’s Arts & Culture Program. He supports grant review and recommendation and helps identify opportunities for program-wide learning.

“Prior to joining the team, I saw Kresge as an inspiring example of philanthropy trying to meet the challenges of the moment and conduct itself in respect to the experiences and expertise of communities,” McKay said. “I look forward to contributing to a program uniquely positioned to elevate arts and culture as a vital aspect of equitable community design, growth and self-determination.”

Previously, McKay was an associate program officer at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, where he advanced youth engagement strategies through entrepreneurship and service-learning. He began his career in philanthropy at the Saginaw Community Foundation. A Saginaw, Michigan, native, McKay earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and sustainability from Michigan State University.

Alderman has joined the Health team as a program officer. She focuses on community safety and other initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable, community-led systems change toward equitable well-being.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked across sectors to advance fairer systems and policies for all — especially for communities consistently excluded from decision-making conversations,” Alderman said. “I’m excited to join Kresge to center community-led efforts that strengthen systems, advance fairness and create the conditions for people to live healthy, fulfilling lives in strong, connected communities.”

Before taking on her role at Kresge, Alderman served as senior adviser to the CEO and assistant project director at Georgia State University’s Georgia Health Policy Center. She was previously a fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Law Program and spent more than a decade as in-house corporate and national litigation counsel. Alderman holds degrees in organizational psychology, law and public health, including a doctorate in public health from Georgia State University.

Supporting Kresge’s cybersecurity initiatives and network and server infrastructure, Blanchard was recently hired as an infrastructure security and systems administrator. He joined the foundation in 2025 as a contract cyber analyst.

“Working in IT, I enjoy the technical side of things and solving problems, but I always want to feel like what I’m doing contributes to something beyond the technology itself,” Blanchard said. “That’s something that Kresge makes easy. There’s a clear connection between the work we do every day and the impact the foundation is making in communities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to the team, learn from those around me and contribute to work I can genuinely feel good about.”

Blanchard began his information technology career in the U.S. Air Force and later worked in technology at GUT Consulting.