These smart, passionate, and engaging individuals share our mission to guide nonprofit organizations in achieving their goals with support and expert resources. They share their expertise and time to provide consulting, lead workshops, and enhance Spokes’ services. It takes many hands to keep Spokes turning. These are the people that have invested their time in helping our community’s nonprofits grow.
Staff
Michael Simkins, Ed.D.
Executive Director/CEO
Michael has been a member of several nonprofit boards and served as board secretary, treasurer, and president. He is no stranger to Spokes having started his relationship with us in 2011 taking workshops and then going on to leading workshops, facilitating the President/Chair Roundtable, and serving as a Spokes consultant.
His professional experience spans the education and nonprofit sectors from being a school principal in Los Osos and Cal Poly lecturer to COO of a major Silicon Valley nonprofit. Currently, he is board secretary and past-president at San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre and president of his local property owners association.
Some fun facts to help you get to know a little more about Michael include that he loves to swim, ski, and cook. Michael lives in Los Osos with his wife, Maryellen, and their “cockerdoodle” Pepper.
To connect with Michael call (805) 547-2244 or email him at [email protected]
Jordan Jerkovich
Communications & Program Assistant
Jordan brings an advantageous blend of nonprofit and communications experience to Spokes. Lending her public relations skills to multiple SLO County nonprofits in the early part of her career, she went on to hold a senior role at a local PR firm, earning top media spots for clients across various industries. After starting a family, she continued to nurture her love for communications as a freelance PR consultant and copywriter.
Jordan enjoys being active and can often be found hiking one of SLO County’s Sister Peaks, running, and taking on perhaps the most athletic feat––keeping up with the activities of her three kids.
Jordan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Board of Directors
Todd Mirolla
President
Gillian Cole-Andrews, CFRE
Gillian is Director of Public Affairs at People’s Self-Help Housing. Previously, she served there as Director of Communication and Resource Development. Prior to that, Gillian led both the Dunes Foundation and Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts Foundation at Hancock College. She received her education in England at Plymouth and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. She has served the British and U.S. governments in Europe and the Middle East and helps promote women-led microenterprises..
Debby Nicklas
Debby is the former vice president of the French Hospital Medical Center Foundation. She has served in a leadership role for many boards, including: San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE), Association of Fundraising Professionals San Luis Obispo County Chapter, Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo County, Rotary San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and Friends of Prado Day Center. Her steadfast dedication to public service earned her the Citizen of the Year award by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the Cuesta College Woman of Distinction Award.
Jonathan York
Jonathan York is Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship at Cal Poly, where he co-founded the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the SLO Hothouse, leveraging his expertise to develop a robust entrepreneurial scene on campus. Before his time at Cal Poly, Jon led a varied career as CEO of large mental health and substance abuse systems in Detroit and Ohio, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Columbus, and internet company founder and venture investor. He has served on numerous boards, spanning the arts, healthcare, and human services. Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and holds a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State.
Liz Summer
Secretary-Treasurer
Liz is principal of L. Summer Consulting, providing expert guidance to nonprofit entities as an Interim CEO/Executive Director, in addition to operations, donor cultivation/relations and strategic consulting. A wealth of professional expertise, Liz has vast experience as an award-winning journalist/ television news anchor and reporter, financial advisor, business owner, commercial/business banker and financial services senior manager. She has nurtured her passion for civic and community involvement, serving local nonprofit boards that include the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, French Hospital Medical Center Foundation, Hospice SLO, the San Luis Obispo Symphony, and the San Luis Obispo County Planned Giving Council. In August 2024, she was appointed CEO of United Way of San Luis Obispo.
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