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The Rainbow Connection

Board of Directors

Guiding the Way
to Brighter Tomorrows

Our Board of Directors is a dedicated group of leaders who share a passion for making dreams come true. Together, they provide guidance and support to ensure The Rainbow Connection continues to grant wishes and bring hope to Michigan children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their commitment and vision are at the heart of everything we do.

Board of Directors 2026

Ryan Giacolone 
President
Grant Thorton

Rob Bava
Vice President 
Community Choice Credit Union

Kevin Schnieders
Past President
Educational Data Systems, Inc.

Janet Dobson Vernier 
Meritorious Director

Dan Flynn
2nd Vice President and Treasurer
City Wide of Michigan

Steve Neiheisel
Retired from Plante Moran

L. Brooks Patterson
Founder
1939-2019

Members

Brad ByrnesSunByrnes Properties, LLC

Carlia Cichon
Past Owner of Advent

Dave AndersonOne Digital

David LewAllenRetired from WXYZ

Howard GoldmanPlunkett and Cooney PC

John JacksonPepsi Bottling Group

Kathi HuntIroquois Industries, Inc.

Krista EschbachIroquois Industries, Inc.

Michael PlotzkePlastipak Holdings, Inc.

Roland ChuChildren’s Hospital of Michigan

Scott Tinsley-HallChildren’s Hospital of Michigan

Ingrid Todt
Executive/CEO of The Rainbow Connection

Policies

Conflict of Interest

Executive Director Compensation

Record Retention and Document Destruction Policy

Whistleblower Employee Protection