Our Board
Meet the dedicated leaders who steward our mission and drive our impact.
Angela Smith (she/her)
President
Keller-Williams Realty
Angie Smith’s enthusiasm for learning stems from a background in teaching and a desire to always be learning herself. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Angie leans on her experiences as a teacher, writer, school board candidate, Michigan grad, and community volunteer to serve on the executive board. When not helping people with their real estate needs, Angie enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends exploring the mitten state, where she has lived for all of her life.
Harriet Hughes
Vice President
Membership and Retention Specialist, Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti Regional Chamber
Bio coming soon.
Emily Twanmo
Treasurer
Emily Twanmo brings a strong background in finance and strategic revenue management to her role as Treasurer. With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare analytics and technology sector, she has managed multimillion-dollar client portfolios. Emily’s expertise in financial analysis, operational improvement, and data-driven decision-making enables her to provide valuable fiscal oversight and guidance. Her leadership in building high-performing teams and her collaborative problem-solving skills have earned her a reputation as a trusted steward of resources. Emily holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan and an MHS from Johns Hopkins University, equipping her with a robust foundation to support the organization’s financial health and mission.
Allison Fritsch
Secretary
Allison Fritsch is a Student Support Specialist in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh. There, she supports students in the Doctor of Audiology (AuD), Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MA-SLP), and PhD programs. Allison was born and raised in Ann Arbor and lived in Ypsilanti for 15 years before moving to Pittsburgh with her spouse and four cats in 2023. Allison joined Washtenaw Literacy as a tutor in 2018 and the Board of Directors in 2021, where she currently serves as the Secretary. Additionally, she temporarily joined the staff of Washtenaw Literacy as a Program Coordinator in 2023.
Darlene Ray-Johnson (she/her)
Immediate Past President
Rackham Graduate School
University of Michigan (Retired)
Darlene Ray‐Johnson’s professional expertise includes restorative practices; social justice mediation; dispute resolution; conflict management; and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. Darlene joined Washtenaw Literacy as a tutor in 2017, and served on the Development Committee and DEI Task Group as well as Vice President and President of the Board of Directors.
Betsy Foss (she/her)
TESOL Instructor (Retired)
Washtenaw Community College
Betsy Foss comes to the Washtenaw Literacy Board with ten years of experience as a professional librarian at the UM Kresge Business Administration Library and twenty years as an English as a Second Language instructor at Washtenaw Community College. She holds an undergraduate degree in French and a graduate degree in Information and Library studies from UM as well as a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Eastern Michigan University. She is excited to bring her understanding of second language learner needs and concerns and extensive teaching experience to her new role. An avid believer in lifelong learning, Betsy looks forward to aiding learners in their journey to literacy through robust educational programs and supportive services. In her free time, Betsy is a passionate reader, movie buff, and trivia fanatic and loves spending time with her husband enjoying live music.
Travis Gonyou (he/him)
Partner, Hooper Hathaway
Travis Gonyou is a partner at Hooper Hathaway, P.C. in Ann Arbor, focusing on complex commercial litigation, international disputes, and internal and government investigations. Prior to joining Hooper Hathaway, Travis practiced at a Chambers-ranked boutique litigation firm in New York and a top regional firm in Detroit.
Prior to his work in law, Travis was an experienced political and communications strategist, having worked on campaigns and for Members of Congress and the Michigan legislature. Currently, Travis serves on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor and the Character and Fitness Committee for the Michigan State Bar, District G, and the Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority, among other professional organizations. He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He lives in Ann Arbor with his daughter, Alice.
Jacqueline Jackson
Senior Publisher, Regulatory Affairs at Becton Dickinson
Jacqueline Jackson is a Senior Publisher, Regulatory Affairs at Becton Dickinson, a Medical Device Company. She brings more than two decades of experience in event, meeting, and program planning and execution across both large and small organizations. Her background also includes extensive work in developing, implementing, and training teams on effective processes and operational systems.
A lifelong Ann Arbor resident, Jacqueline has volunteered with numerous community organizations and is a new member of the Board of Directors for Washtenaw Literacy.
Clarence Jennings
Washtenaw Community College
Bio coming soon.
Shailesh Kumar (he/him)
Founder & Managing Partner, Arohan Advisors
Shailesh Kumar believes education and literacy are among the surest ways to change lives for the better. He is the founder of Arohan Advisor Partners, an Ann Arbor strategy and operations consulting firm that helps leadership teams translate plans into disciplined, measurable execution. He and his wife also run Arbor Trading Post, a local handcrafted leather goods business, reflecting their hands-on commitment to the community. Shailesh holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan and serves on the Washtenaw Literacy board, bringing his strategy and operations background to support its mission.
Rob MacArthur (he/him)
Chief Risk Officer, UAW Retiree Med Benefits Trust
Rob MacArthur is the Chief Risk Officer for the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, where he leads portfolio strategy and risk management for the organization’s $60 billion in assets. As a member of Washtenaw Literacy’s Finance Committee since 2023 and a board member since June 2026, he is committed to helping the organization grow its resources so it can expand its reach and deepen its impact across Washtenaw County. He believes literacy is a foundational human skill that should be accessible and attainable for everyone in the community, and is excited to apply his professional experience in financial services and strategic planning in support of Washtenaw Literacy’s mission.
Ayah Massoud (she/her)
Engineer, Mother, and Community Volunteer
Believing that education creates opportunities that extend far beyond the individual, Ayah is passionate about expanding access to adult literacy and English language learning for underserved communities. As a mother and community advocate she understands how literacy builds confidence, strengthens families, and creates lasting change that shapes future generations and the community as a whole. She enjoys finding creative solutions to complex challenges and is inspired by opportunities to help others reach their full potential. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Tray McGuire
Sr. Program Manager, Community Engagement at DTE
Tray McGuire is an accomplished leader in corporate strategy, community engagement, and government relations. As Senior Manager for Customer and Community Engagement at DTE Energy, he leads initiatives focused on affordability, equity, and reliability across Washtenaw County, collaborating with local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits to drive measurable community impact.
Previously, Tray held leadership roles at Eastern Michigan University, advancing diversity and institutional strategy, and served in the district office of Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
A passionate advocate for educational access, literacy, and lifelong learning, Tray believes these pillars are foundational to economic mobility and strong communities. He leverages his cross-sector expertise to build long-term trust and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University.
Luciana Nemtanu (she/her)
Director of Student Experience, LSA Opportunity Hub, University of Michigan
Luciana Nemtanu is a higher education professional and former ESL learner who believes deeply in the power of literacy to transform lives. She is passionate about breaking down systemic barriers and building supportive pathways for lifelong learning and she brings a wealth of experience in access, equity, and community-building to her work on the Washtenaw Literacy board. As someone whose own journey was shaped by literacy challenges, she is honored to support others on their path to their goals.
Ibukun Okeke (she/her)
Senior Vice President Branch Development, DFCU
Ibukun Okeke is an experienced and accomplished credit union leader with experience leading high-performing teams, driving sales growth, and aligning teams with organizational goals while delivering exceptional member service. She is passionate about developing talent, coaching leaders, and building a culture around coaching, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Ibukun holds an MBA from Eastern Michigan University and values giving back to her community. She is particularly interested in opportunities that support initiatives promoting education, financial empowerment, and leadership development.
Tammy Wakevainen
Wealth Advisor, Mercer Advisors
Bio coming soon.