Meet Our Board
BEKAH TENBRINK
Rebekah TenBrink is the Founder and Director of LIFT Teen Center. Raised in Holland, MI and transplanted to Leelanau County in 2012 after a series of travel and social service jobs. Setting roots in Northern Michigan, Rebekah found a great need for youth services. She attended Spring Arbor University and received her Bachelors of Arts in Family Life Education; a model which builds a stronger community by fostering partnerships that engage families in a participatory process leading to self-efficacy. As a vibrant and passionate soul Rebekah is always striving to “be the change”.
AUDREY SHARP
Audrey grew up in Suttons Bay and graduated from Suttons Bay Schools in 2011. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and International Studies from the University of Michigan in 2015. After graduating, Audrey lived abroad in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua for three years, teaching English to children living in underserved communities. She is the Development Director for an international non-profit called Outreach360 and currently lives in Cedar with her border collie, Memo. Audrey also works part-time for LIFT as an Administrative Assistant.
KATHY EGAN
After moving around a bit, Kathy moved to Suttons Bay in 1999 and raised two happy kids here. Currently, she enjoys working at Networks Northwest where she gets to travel through the Northwest Lower Michigan region supporting local communities in their planning and economic development endeavors. In a previous chapter of life, Kathy was the token adult for high school environmental club (called YIKES!) that had students from 13 high schools participating regularly. Because of that experience she strongly believes in supporting the enthusiasm and energy of students who are exploring and seeking an outlet for their interests.
DEANNA REID
Deanna Reid is a Texas native who moved to Michigan in 2004, and to Suttons Bay in October 2017. She graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 1991, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Theology. Since that time, Deanna has served many parishes of varying denominations as a secretary, before becoming a full-time mom in 1999. Deanna is the mother of two children, Ethan, age 20, attending Western Michigan University, and Eliana, age 14, who attends Suttons Bay High School and is a LIFT participant. Her husband, Jonathan, is Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay. In July of 2019, she joined the team at Brain Storm in Suttons Bay, working full time. She has been a member of the board since the fall of 2018.
KRIS MATTIS
Kris Mattis grew up in Traverse City while her husband, Eric, grew up in Suttons Bay. Kris is the Probate Register for the Leelanau County Probate Court and also worked as the Deputy Probate Register for Grand Traverse County. Prior to working for the Courts, Kris attended Paralegal school at Pensacola Junior College and worked as a Probate and Family Law Paralegal for approximately 14 years. During those years she was a dedicated Navy wife until her husband retired as a Navy Chief in 2017. They lived mainly in Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan. Upon her family’s return to Northern Michigan the summer of 2017, they decided that they would build their forever home just outside of the Village. Kris has always been an actively involved parent in their daughter, Sicily’s life and with her friends. Kris loves teaching even if its life skills like baking and is a natural volunteer. She feels that being a positive role model to children and teens can and will make a difference in their lives and in the community. You can often find Kris volunteering her time to bake and decorate cupcakes for different community events or enjoying time in her flower gardens. Kris is also fortunate to be a young breast cancer survivor since 2008 and hopes that she can continue to be an encouragement to others that are facing challenges in life.
ELIZABETH POST
Elizabeth Post lives in Traverse City with her family and their goldendoodle, Gus. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. As a clinical social worker, her professional background is in homeless and housing services. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Ferris State University and aims to inspire students to be agents of change.