About Us
Our work is powered by people—ENTF staff, Committee Chairs, and the Board of Trustees—working together each day to make systems stronger and more interconnected. We’re grateful for the expertise and dedication they bring to the table to ensure every person in Kent County has what they need to thrive.
ENTF Staff
Wende Randall
(she/her)Director
Wende Randall supports partner organizations throughout the community in understanding the root causes of challenging situations our community members face, developing shared strategies for change, and building collaboration to implement these changes. As the Director of ENTF, she works to deepen connections and trust in order to effectively advocate and impact decisions. Wende has been in various non-profit roles for over 20 years, providing direct service, writing and standing up grants, analyzing outcomes data, and facilitating strategic planning. The combination of building relationships and learning the ins and outs of policies has provided her with a solid foundation for guiding conversations focused on the interconnectedness of systems. Outside the office, Wende loves spending time tending her flowers and feeding the neighborhood birds, cuddling her dogs and exploring parks across the country. Wende and her husband are proud parents of adult children who bring creativity and care into everything they do.
Emily Madsen
(she/her)Data Analyst
Emily Madsen builds partners’ capacity to collect and use their own data through one-on-one support and training. She also manages ENTF’s data work and supports local collaborative data projects. This involves everything from figuring out what data to collect (defining outcomes and selecting indicators), collecting data (using surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other methods), cleaning and transforming data, analyzing data, and visualizing it. She wants to help people connect the dots between what they do today and its impact. Her focus is on addressing root causes to create lasting change. Prior to joining ENTF in 2020, Emily worked in local government and obtained a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in policy, planning, and administration. In her spare time, she can be found reading, crafting, or hiking. She loves going up north, especially with family and friends.
Megan Halm
(she/her)Administrative Coordinator
Megan Halm is the most recent addition to ENTF. As the Administrative Coordinator she manages meeting reminders, agendas and minutes, our weekly newsletter, our social media, and more! Megan’s previous experience is primarily in environmental science and education. She has spent time teaching summer camps at John Ball Zoo, working for the Kent County Parks Department to maintain outdoor public spaces, and doing invasive species management and treatment with different conservation districts. A key factor of sustainability is ensuring resources are used responsibly to meet the needs of the present with an emphasis on long-term environmental, economic, and social wellbeing. As a lifelong local, Megan is glad to join ENTF, an organization dedicated to these same principles. Her favorite hobby is hiking with her partner and taking photos on their film cameras. They have a pop-up darkroom in their apartment and enjoy developing their photos at home.
Elenor Moreno
(they/them)Kent County Food Policy Council Strategy Manager
Eleanor Moreno is a community organizer and advocate committed to building deep, meaningful relationships through food as a tool for connection and conversation. As the Strategy Manager for the Kent County Food Policy Council, Eleanor works to advance a sovereign and equitable food system that centers community voices and lived experience. Their approach is rooted in a strong belief that food is more than nourishment—it’s a catalyst for justice, cultural identity, and collective power. Drawing on years of grassroots organizing and a deep commitment to nurturing community, Eleanor bridges policy and people to ensure that those most impacted by food systems are shaping the decisions that affect them. Outside of work, Eleanor continues to live their values by growing, sharing, and gathering around food by creating spaces where connection and care thrive.
Janelle Vandergrift
(she/her)Kent County Food Policy Council Partnerships Manager
Janelle Vandergrift has supported the Kent County Food Policy Council since prior to its official launch in 2021. As the Partnerships Manager, she manages grants, communications, and government outreach and coordinates council processes and workgroups. Janelle has been involved in different policy, research project management, and community work in Canada and the US. She loves growing, preparing, and (of course!) eating her own food, as well as backyard composting. A homebody at heart, you can find Janelle puttering around her house, cooking, walking in the neighborhood, or gardening in her spare time. She loves reading books with her kids, going to restaurants with her husband, and spending time with her family who live in Canada and New Zealand.
Leadership Team
The ENTF Leadership Team is made up of the chairs of our committees. Meet our current leaders:
Transportation
Committee Chairs
Ken Miguel-Cipriano
Public Agency at WMCAT
Michael Williams
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Energy Efficiency
Committee Chairs
Nicholas Neville
Consumers Energy
Jennifer Spiller
City of Grand Rapids
Workforce Development
Committee Chairs
Christopher Smith
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids
Daniel VanderMolen
First Steps Kent
Digital Access
Committee Chair
Trevor Mier
West Michigan Works!
Board of Trustees
In 2013, a Governance Committee was formed to guide ENTF, comprised of seven organizations. In 2023, that group was expanded and transitioned to a Board of Trustees. Current members include:
Sandra Ghoston-Jones
Kent County
Nicole Hofert
City of Wyoming
James Geisen
Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services
Vacant
Local Government Representative
Connie Bohatch
City of Grand Rapids
Michelle VanDyke
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Tawana Brown
West Michigan Works!
ENTF Committee Chairs
Includes one per Committee (listed above)
Building a Brighter Future
Together with all who contribute to this work, we’re advancing equitable outcomes for all people in Kent County.
