Meet us

Claire Root Benson
Claire Root Benson graduated from Mona Shores High School and St. Olaf College, with a vocal music degree. After teaching English as a Second Language in South Korea, Claire and her husband Derek returned home. Working toward an equitable greater Muskegon defines her vocation. She is a member of the Muskegon Rotary Club and MHS Interact Advisor, and volunteers for Girl Scouts of Michigan.

Catherine “Cathy” Mott, Board Chair
Catherine (Cathy) Mott is Assistant Director at the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA). In her daytime job she strives to make the MMA accessible to all, ultimately cultivating the next generation of art lovers/museum goers. Moreover, as a Poppen Board member she values the hard work the Program is doing to create personalized art education for the students of Muskegon Public Schools. Cathy received her Bachelor’s from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame majoring in Art History, minoring in mathematics.

Contessa Alexander
A Muskegon County native and graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Community Development, Contessa Alexander is a working artist and the creative force behind Custom Art by Contessa. After building a meaningful career in public service and economic development, Contessa transitioned into her true passion, where she now specializes in modern portraits, contemporary prints, and custom creative work that reflects culture, emotion, and storytelling.

Raelynn Jewison
Art teacher, Muskegon Public Schools.

Ana Olson
Owner, Los Amigos Tequila Bar & Grill in Muskegon. Born and raised in Mexico. Ana is active in her community, assisting with organizing events — such as the annual Muskegon County Latino Festival and the West Michigan Latino Network. Although she serves individually, her business also plays a big part and has become a welcoming space that further brings people together.

Hope Paternina
Band director at Muskegon Public Schools. She attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. Additionally, she attended Central Michigan University and received a Master’s Degree in Wind Band Conducting and a Master’s Degree in Flute Performance. In her free time, she enjoys running, kayaking, reading, and cooking Colombian and Cajun food with her husband, Juan.

Heather Placko
Curator of Education with the Muskegon Museum of Art, Placko previously served as the programs manager with the Peoria Riverfront Museum. She graduated from North Central College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Creative Writing. Heather is passionate about creating engaging and inclusive interdisciplinary and multi-generational programming, bringing exhibitions and artifacts to life for diverse communities.

Julie Poppen
While Julie didn’t inherit her mom’s artistic talents, she is a strong advocate for the arts and believes art has the power to help us understand each other and inspire us to action. Julie is a former journalist who serves as editorial director at her alma mater, the University of Colorado Boulder.  She and her husband Dean live in Colorado, and their adult daughter did get the visual art gene.

Sally Purchase
After teaching art for 35 years, Sally retired from Muskegon High School in 2022. Sally is an alumni of Muskegon Public Schools and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The University of Michigan. She has been on the Poppen Board since the early 1990’s and has witnessed many, many students go on to be successful in the arts. Since retiring, she spends time painting and traveling with her husband and their dog in their RV.

Mary Vasquez
Mary Catalina Vazquez, born to immigrant parents from Mexico and England, demonstrated an early passion for teaching. She became biliterate in Spanish and English by age thirteen, studying in Mexico. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1986, she earned her degree in 1991 from Hope College. She dedicated 35 years to Muskegon Public Schools as a bilingual teacher and itinerant liaison. Now retired from MPS, Mary substitutes, works part-time at Read Muskegon, and serves on the Health West Board. She is married to Miguel, a mother of three, grandmother of six, and deeply involved in lay leadership in her faith community, St. Mary’s Catholic Church..

Chauncy Williams
Chauncy Williams is an educator and community leader committed to empowering students through meaningful career development and supportive guidance. With over twenty years of experience in education, supervision, and community outreach, he has dedicated his career to helping students rise beyond their circumstances and discover their potential.

He holds degrees from Michigan State University, Cornerstone University, and Cambridge College, as well as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certification from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In his work with the Innovation Academies of Muskegon, Chauncy focuses on building strong career pathways and fostering student success. He is widely respected across Muskegon County for his leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.