Jen Hsu-Bishop, Alyssa Stewart Take Key Roles
United Way of South Central Michigan announced that Jen Hsu-Bishop has joined the organization as Chief Equity Officer, guiding UWSCMI’s diversity, equity and inclusion work. United Way also named Alyssa Stewart as Chief Impact Officer, focused on leading efforts to address key social issues across the six-county region.
Hsu-Bishop (they/them) is an experienced equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) leader, dedicating their personal and professional life to transforming communities and systems to better serve marginalized communities, said Chris Sargent (he/him), UWSCMI’s President and CEO.
“At United Way, we strive for a regional community that connects with, advocates for, and embraces all people equitably,” Sargent said. “Jen Hsu-Bishop brings vast experience and valuable perspective that will help us become a stronger, more effective advocate and partner for people facing racism and other forms of discrimination and unfair treatment.”
Hsu-Bishop previously served as Culture and Climate Specialist for the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, where they led the planning of a strategic EDI plan. Prior to joining KRESA, Hsu-Bishop held multiple roles at Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Mich.), including Acting Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Director of the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center; and Inclusion and Equity Institute Consultant and Title IX Co-Investigator. They have also served on many advisory and nonprofit boards, including Eliminating Racism and Claiming/Celebrating Equity; Community Aids Resource and Education Services of Southwest Michigan; Michigan Organization for Adolescent Sexual Health; and the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.
Hsu-Bishop holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and Sociology from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University.
“I’ve committed my life to centering the voices of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities,” said Hsu-Bishop. “I’m excited to join my commitment and experience with United Way’s commitment to equity.”
Stewart (she/her), who previously served as Vice President of Impact and Engagement for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, was named UWSCMI’s Chief Impact Officer shortly after the organization’s merger in April. She joined the legacy United Way in 2013 after having led workforce development programming for MichiganWorks! since 2009. Stewart holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Public Policy from Albion College, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Western Michigan University.
“Under Alyssa’s leadership, our legacy United Way in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo strengthened partnerships and developed more focused, strategic approaches to tackling the biggest needs among vulnerable children and families,” said Sargent. “We’re eager to see Alyssa and her regional team expand that impact and change more lives.”
Stewart said, “My goal is to fully understand the unique assets in each community and, through our team and partners, to build on them locally and beyond. That’s the key value of our merger and vital to strengthening our impact for those who struggle, especially the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) population.”
Stewart and Hsu-Bishop are now part of UWSCMI’s Executive Leadership Team, which also includes Sargent as President and CEO; Teresa Kmetz as Chief Resource Development and Marketing Officer; and Ken Toll as Chief Operations Officer.
