The 2023 KConnect Champions are distinguished individuals recognized for their unwavering support and dedication to KConnect’s vision of closing disparity gaps in Kent County. These champions have fostered collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders to address systemic inequities and enhance community well-being. Their leadership and commitment to equitable outcomes have been instrumental in driving progress and inspiring transformative change, making significant strides toward a more inclusive and prosperous future for all residents of Kent County. Learn more about each champion below.
Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell has been integral to KConnect for nearly a decade. Starting as a member of the DEI Workgroup in 2015, Dr. Lovelady Mitchell soon became a 4-12th Grade Workgroup co-chair as well as the Accountability Partners Council co-chair. Presently, as the co-chair of the KConnect Board of Trustees, Dr. Lovelady Mitchell remains dedicated to advocating for the reduction of disparity gaps and the establishment of a just and inclusive community. “Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell’s ability to provide incredible insights and know-how about navigating intrinsic systems has been demonstrated in her work with KConnect workgroups, the backbone, and with the Board of Trustees level. Her leadership has been interwoven in almost all of our work over the last ten years, making her a KConnect Champion.” – Salvador López, President
Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell is a lifelong children’s advocate who is passionate about community, education, and designing systems that maximize human potential. Her doctoral studies focused on high-achieving Black males at the secondary level. She has increased opportunities and attainment for high schoolers to enroll and earn early college credit, find scholarships, and earn industry credentials. Dr. Lovelady Mitchell has coached and empowered educational executives, school board members, educators, and other stakeholders pertaining to equitable and culturally responsive practices. In addition to her role as Deputy Superintendent of Preschool-12 Learning & Leadership at Grand Rapids Public Schools, Dr. Lovelady Mitchell serves as an elected official on the board of Grand Rapids Community College as well as the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Neil Carlson
Neil Carlson has had a significant impact on KConnect since its inception. As the inaugural co-chair of the Data and Capacity Workgroup and the first Accountability Partners Council co-chair, Neil has continuously contributed his time and expertise to strengthening KConnect’s processes and frameworks around gathering, visualizing, and sharing data, including conceptualizing the Community Data Trust. He also played an essential role in the development of the Accountability Partners Council and the KConnect Voting Protocol. Neil still serves on the Data and Capacity Workgroup and often serves as a thought partner for the Backbone team. “Dr. Carlson has been a champion of KConnect from day one. From being the original Data and Capacity Workgroup Co-Chair to the inaugural APC Co-Chair to helping design the Data Dashboard, Neil’s thoughts and ideas are foundational to the KConnect of today. I often say that if KConnect started making t-shirts, Neil would be the first to get one.” – Mark Woltman, Vice President
Neil Carlson, PhD is Founder and Principal Consultant (and Chief Inventor of Pompous Job Titles) at DataWise Consulting, LLC. He received his doctorate in political science from Duke University in 2004 and has led the DataWise team and its predecessor for almost 20 years. Neil delights in solving problems by linking team culture to technology. He’s absurdly interested in just about everything, but when forced to focus, his research interests tend toward civic engagement, organizational culture, religion and politics, the digital transformation of society, and science and technology policy. Research, experience, and relationships combine to make him a diehard fan of collective impact in general and KConnect in particular.
