Women's Caring Program Adds Three Dynamic New Members to Board

MILFORD, May 12, 2008 - The Women's Caring Program board today announced the appointment of three new members, the single largest increase to the all-volunteer board since 1999. They are: Valerie Brader, of Bodman, LLP, Mary Lynn Noah, of the Michigan Department of Treasury, and Colleen Robar, of Crain Communications, Inc.

"We are proud and honored to have these three extraordinary women take the time to help us in our efforts to support children and families," said Carol Walters, founder and president of the Women's Caring Program. "Every woman on our 19-member board brings such a wealth of talent and expertise with her that our program, the ChildCare Commitment, thrives - and because everyone's heart and soul is behind helping disadvantaged children succeed."

The ChildCare Commitment is a statewide program that assists lower-income parents by subsidizing a portion of the high cost of licensed childcare. Since 1995, the WCP has raised over $1.7 million for low-income children. The Twilight Gathering, a garden party held amid Walter's lush gardens in Milford on Thursday, July 10, is the single annual fundraiser held by a the WCP to support ChildCare Commitment.

Donations are welcomed year-round.  Below is a summary biography of the new board members.

Valerie Brader

Brader is an associate at Bodman, LLP specializing in corporate and environmental law.  Before joining Bodman, she was the career clerk for the Hon. John Feikens in Detroit, and continues to serve the court as a Judicial Adjunct.  A Rhodes Scholar and published author in both the legal and scientific presses, Brader previously worked as an environmental consultant to the EPA and Department of Defense, and for the Idaho governor on environmental and natural resource issues.  Brader was the first-ever recipient of the Harvard College Women's Leadership Award, and currently serves as President of the Harvard Club of Eastern Michigan and on the council of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.  She resides in Pittsfield Township.
 
Mary Lynn Noah

With more than 20 years in state government, Noah is currently is employed as a departmental specialist with the Bureau of Local Government Services, Department of Treasury.  Her previous employment includes working in both the Michigan House and Senate in a variety of legislative and policy positions.  She also served as legislative liaison and regulatory affairs officer for the Department of Management and Budget, the deputy director of the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority, and lead staff to the Juvenile Justice Committee and Emergency Telephone Service Committee. She is a past president of the following organizations:  Zonta Club of the Michigan Capitol Area, James Madison College Alumni Association, and Friends of the Lansing Public Library.  She is a past board member of the Michigan Women's Studies Association, the governing body for the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame.

Colleen Robar

Colleen Robar is director of corporate communications at Crain Communications, Inc. in Detroit.    She previously served as president of Robar PR and as vice president/account director of Mullen.   She has also held communications and public relations positions at Ardesta, the Metropolitan Detroit Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Ritz Carlton, Dearborn.     Robar serves on the board of the Greening of Detroit, Belle Isle Women's Committee and St. Charles Borromeo Church and chairs the Senior Council of PRSA-Detroit. She lives in downtown Detroit.