ACG Cares

ACG Detroit is proud to honor our members that exhibit a personal passion for serving and supporting their community through our ACG Cares initiative. Take a look below to see who we have recognized recently.

Having charitable endeavors is an amazing way to give back to your community. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to make an impact on someone else's life, often when they need it the most. Our ACG Detroit members and sponsors are involved with so many local charities and have been for years.

We love to hear how our members are making a difference in Metro Detroit. If you or a colleague are giving back and making a difference in our community, please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your experiences with us.

July 2026

This month, we are happy to recognize ACG member, Kathy Brennan from Cresa.

Kathy has been involved with both American Cancer Society (ACS) and Caring Athletes Team for Children's and Henry Ford Hospitals (CATCH) for over 20 years. CATCH—was founded by Sparky Anderson in 1987 to improve the lives of sick and economically disadvantaged pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital. Every dollar raised through CATCH helps fund critical needs when no other source of funding is available. Kathy is on the Board of Trustees and is Chair of the annual Golf Classic. Supporting CATCH means so much to Kathy because it allows her to help children when they need it most.

Kathy's support of the ACS is more personal, as her Dad is a 3-time survivor, now facing his fourth battle with the disease. She knows that research makes all the difference and that the outcomes are changing because of the geniuses in the research lab. We need to give them everything they need to be successful, which means raising dollars. Kathy has supported a variety of initiatives for ACS, Chaired the Cattle Barron’s Ball, as well as the Auction Committee. She serves on the Michigan board of directors, on the ACS Detroit Select Golf Committee, and is also active with ACS CAN and VOICES of Black Women.

June 2026

This month, ACG Cares is proud to shine a light on JPMorganChase, an ACG Detroit annual gold sponsor. At JPMorganChase, they believe community investment is fundamentally important to driving economic growth and opportunity. In the Detroit area, the firm has been involved with transformational efforts including, but not limited to:

· Housing and Neighborhood Development - Deployed $1.1 billion in home loans to help Detroiters purchase, refinance and renovate their homes, while investing $158 million to support the creation of over 3,800 affordable housing units. The firm also provided $104 million in New Market Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits to support educational institutions, infrastructure projects, and community facilities.

· Business Growth and Entrepreneurship - Deployed $568 million in lending and credit to local small businesses, while providing more than $37 million in philanthropic investments to more than 30 nonprofits. Through the Detroit-area Coaching for Impact 1:1 consulting and executive coaching program, JPMorganChase supported over 360 small businesses.

· Careers & Skills Development - Launched the company's first virtual call center in Detroit, training and hiring over 100 Detroiters to serve as Chase customer service specialists who handle more than 1 million customer service calls each year. Additionally, the firm provided more than $32.3 million in philanthropic investments to 39 nonprofits to help place thousands of Detroiters in apprenticeships or full or part-time jobs.

Since 2014, JPMorganChase's investments in Detroit have surpassed $2 billion, demonstrating the firm's long-term commitment to the city's continued growth and prosperity.

May 2026

For the month of May, ACG Cares is highlighting Jessica Thwing from Jones Day. Jessica has volunteered in various capacities with Girls on the Run both in Chicago, and now here in Detroit.

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. They teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Jessica has served as a coach for four seasons, coaching of a team of 6-8 elementary age girls through lessons and practice twice a week. She also volunteers at the 5k race in various capacities, as well as conducting training for coaches and staff prior to the season. Last fall, Jessica ran the Detroit International Half Marathon, crossing the Ambassador Bridge in the pouring rain and raising $630 for Girls on the Run. Keep up the good work Jessica!

April 2026

This month, we are happy to highlight Gordon Heidacker of GTO Advisory Partners for his support of two Pontiac nonprofits.

He currently sits on the Board of the Pontiac Transportation Museum and has been involved since its inception. His father was a Pontiac Motors executive and GM executive for over 42 years, and he collects old Pontiacs. Gordon's work with the Pontiac Transportation Museum is to preserve for future generations the contributions that Pontiac made to the Automotive Industry from the very beginnings of the Automobile. The museum is now open and expanding as they collect donations to further its build out and reach.

Gordon also sits on the Board of the Pontiac Community Foundation, with a mission to better the lives of those who live and work within the city. They offer transportation programs for those in need, programs to provide children with a better head start into school, as well as addressing housing, infrastructure, and other needs within the city. Since his businesses are in downtown Pontiac, Gordon feels a strong connection to the rebirth of the city.

March 2026

For the month of March, ACG Cares is happy to recognize new ACG Detroit bronze sponsor, World Insurance Associates. While their charitable involvement varies throughout the year, they regularly support several nonprofits through volunteerism and sponsorship:

• Friends of Foster Kids is dedicated to supporting children and youth in the foster care system. Their mission is to ensure that every child feels valued, supported, and prepared for a brighter future. World Insurance Associates participates in their gift wrapping program at Christmas.

• Detroit Dog Rescue focuses on raising awareness of the mounting homeless and stray dog epidemic in Detroit, along with advocating for humane rescue alternatives such as no-kill sheltering, foster care and adoptions, pet identification and healthy pet population control through spay and neutering.

• Volunteers of America puts faith into action by providing compassionate human services that empower individuals and strengthen local communities. Their vision is a world where all people in our communities live with social, emotional and physical well-being, spiritual fulfillment, justice and hope.

February 2026

ACG Cares is happy to shine a light on NextGen Committee member, Evan Mollenkamp from Hylant. Evan serves on the Executive Committee for the Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Detroit Chapter) and has contributed to the strategic direction of the organization while actively supporting its mission to cure blood cancers and improve the lives of patients and their families. His involvement is deeply personal, as his aunt was diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia in 2018. Through incredible strength and treatment, she beat it. Her journey inspired Evan to take action and support others facing similar battles.

Fundraising has been Evan's major focus, rallying support from his network and the broader community, to personally raise over $10,000 in 2025 to support research, patient services, and education. One of the most memorable moments of his journey was completing a 501.5-mile bike ride over 50 days to raise awareness. It was a personal challenge that allowed him to connect with the mission in a deeper way, and served as a powerful platform to engage others in the fight against leukemia and lymphoma. The ride not only raised funds but also sparked conversations and inspired action. Evan is also proud to participate in Light The Night in Detroit, a moving event that brings survivors, families, and supporters together to honor those affected and celebrate the progress that is being made.

January 2026

To start 2026, ACG Cares is highlighting Rachel Wasserman of Michigan CFO Associates. She has been a dedicated volunteer with Henry Ford’s SandCastles Grief Support Program for seven years. Each year, SandCastles supports more than 1,000 individuals in the Detroit area, providing a safe and comforting space for children and families to navigate grief and healing together.

The program offers quality community-based family grief services, which encourage peer support and are enhanced by educational outreach. Bi-weekly, Rachel helps plan and lead activities, art projects, and conversations for children’s groups centered on grief support. Rachel also volunteers as a camp counselor at SandCastles’ summer camp for kids and their new fall family camp.