A retired United States Navy Officer, Pam Coleman has served in many volunteer organizations throughout her life. She enjoys hiking, bicycling, and camping and volunteers with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Norte.

Debbie McGee and her husband moved to Elk Rapids during the pandemic from the Washington D.C. area. She has taught in an inclusive pre-K classroom, many years in Sunday schools, and at summer art camps. Debbie has done freelance writing for newspapers since high school and currently writes an occasional column, From the Porch for The Antrim Review. Previously, she was a public relations specialist for the Las Vegas, Nevada PBS station. Debbie also volunteers for ACTS Thrift Store in Williamsburg and Jubilee House in Traverse City. She has a degree in journalism from University of Missouri and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nevada. 

Peg Burns has over 25 years of experience in accounting, auditing and working with senior management and boards in addressing business issues. Peg’s professional career began at Ernst & Young. Always interested in education, Peg transitioned from Ernst & Young to Grand Rapids Community College where she served as the Executive Director of Finance for 11 years. Following a family transfer to Milwaukee, Peg served as the Comptroller at Marquette University and then as the Director of Finance for Partners Advancing Values in Education. Peg has been a Trustee at First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids since January 2023.

Shelia Conrad moved full time to the Elk Rapids area in August 2020 and has summered here since 1975 at her cottage on Elk Lake. She enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and volunteering at her church and the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard. She and her husband have rental cottages where she enjoys getting to know their renters and gardening.

Myrna Holland has been with the Community Cupboard for more than 20 years. She volunteered to serve as a Board Director in September 2023. Myrna is a retired Registered Nurse with background in clinical nursing, education and administration. In addition to the Community Cupboard, she has volunteered for over 20 years at Munson Manor, which is the hospital’s hospitality house.  She has also been an active member of both the local and state professional nursing associations and the Michigan Nurses Foundation.

Val Pearson-Impellizzeri taught school in northern New Hampshire and southern Michigan before returning to northern Michigan where she has lived for almost 40 years. Her commitment to volunteering began as a high school student. She has been involved in a number of organizations over the years. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family, friends, and dogs.

Kristina Pepelko has been a volunteer with the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard since 2023 and joined the Board in 2024. She works as the Director of Strategic Communications for the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Kristina holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing, both from Grand Valley State University. In addition to the Community Cupboard, Kristina volunteers for Let These Animals Live cat sanctuary and is on the board of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan.

Charlie Pryde retired from Ford Motor Company after 25 years in 2017. Prior to Ford, he was a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy — leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. Charlie recently served Elk Rapids as a village trustee and a commission member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Charlie has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a graduate degree from Harvard University.

Nicky Tobin is a third generation resident of Elk Rapids. She returned to the village in 2020 after working, volunteering and raising two kids In California for 30 years. Since returning, she has enjoyed creative endeavors and volunteering at the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard. 

In addition to our Board of Directors, we are grateful for the 25 volunteers who help with packing groceries, picking up food, delivering groceries to those who are unable to drive in addition to helping to coordinate with the Northwest Food Coalition and Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan.