With nearly 15 years of experience, Marie Gress has established herself as a distinguished professional in business strategy. Since 2023, she has served as executive director at the Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (W.A.V.E.), a public transportation provider serving greater Western-Washtenaw County, Michigan. The organization offers door-to-door services, fixed-route connectors between Chelsea, Dexter, and Ann Arbor, a free community shuttle in downtown Chelsea, and discounted fares for seniors, individuals with disabilities, low-income residents, and students through 12th grade.
In her role, Ms. Gress has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive business and strategic plan for the agency. She emphasizes the critical role of transportation as an intervention, ensuring access to essential services such as groceries, utilities, and education. In her first year, she secured over $500,000 in funding by leveraging data to advocate for transportation services for vulnerable community members. Beyond her leadership at W.A.V.E., Ms. Gress is the founder of Kovir LLC, a social enterprise specializing in organizational development for nonprofit organizations. Through this organization, she provides services such as grant writing, capacity building, leadership coaching, and strategic planning.
Ms. Gress’ experience also includes several leadership roles, including director of operations and administrative assistant at Milan Seniors for Healthy Living from 2014 to 2020. Additionally, she served as assistant director of public housing and director of YouthWorks at Community Action Network from 2012 to 2014. She is also a dedicated educator, serving as a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University since 2022 and as a LEO lecturer at the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan since 2023. She serves as chair of the grant-making committee for the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, vice chair of the Washtenaw County Commission on Aging, and volunteered with AmeriCorps VISTA, focusing on employment development, from 2008 to 2013.
Laying a strong educational foundation, Ms. Gress earned a Bachelor of Science in social work from Calvin University in 2011, followed by a Master of Social Work in gerontology and nonprofit management from Eastern Michigan University in 2016. In 2024, she obtained a certification in fundraising management from the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Gress draws inspiration from her father, a pastor committed to supporting struggling communities through programs like food pantries, prison reentry initiatives, and addiction support groups. Her career path was shaped by her proactive approach to networking and problem-solving, particularly during her time at Milan Seniors for Healthy Living, where she took the initiative to connect with key stakeholders and expand her expertise. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she transitioned to full-time nonprofit consulting, eventually stepping into an executive leadership role and joining the National County Commission on Aging while also taking on teaching responsibilities.
Ms. Gress attributes her success to her ability to build meaningful relationships and connect with people in her network. She takes the time to engage in one-on-one conversations, listening to the insights of both those she serves and the leaders she coaches and consults. Her strength lies in identifying key issues and addressing them through a solution-focused approach, tackling both individual and systemic challenges.
Looking ahead, Ms. Gress is committed to developing a knowledge path for seniors in her county, focusing on addressing their most pressing needs, including transportation, caregiver support, and food access. She recognizes that food security, transportation, and housing are among the primary challenges faced by older adults nationwide. In the short term, she aims to continue working with the aging population and is actively involved in a senior millage that was approved by public vote in November. As the county’s first senior millage, significant efforts will be required to establish and implement its initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Aging. She hopes to play an active role in shaping these developments and ensuring effective support for seniors in her community.