Flow Water Advocates is delighted to announce that Mike Vickery has been elected by its Board of Directors to serve as chair for the 2025-26 term. Mike first joined the Flow board in March 2016, and previously served as board chair from 2019 to 2021.
He is Professor Emeritus of Communication, Public Affairs, and Environmental Studies at Alma College, where he was founding chair of the Department of Communication and served as Co-Director of the Center for Responsible Leadership. Mike holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Texas at Austin, where his graduate work focused on political and organizational communication. In addition to his work with Flow, Mike has also served on the Boardman-Ottaway River Leadership Team, the Brown Bridge Quiet Area Committee, and the Traverse Area District Library Board of Trustees.
Mike has been an integral leader and thought partner of Flow for nearly a decade, and I am delighted to once again work with him as board chair. He has been an invaluable and trusted advisor on Flow’s strategic communications, community engagement, and organizational capacity building. This is an exciting, important period of our organization’s growth, and I am grateful to Mike for standing at the helm.
– Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director
Mike is joined on the 2025-26 executive team by the following officers:
Katie Sulau, Vice Chair
Katie Sulau brings 15 years of leadership experience in operations, programs, and campaigns for nonprofits focused on political and policy advocacy. As the founder of Steady Rudder, Katie leverages her expertise in planning, execution, and communication to simplify complex challenges and drive organizations forward. Katie holds dual degrees in Social Policy and Journalism from Michigan State University.
Craig Sharp, Treasurer
Craig, a founding member of Axiom Wealth Partners aligned with the Rockefeller Global Family Office, has over 23 years of experience serving individuals, families, nonprofits, and corporate clients. He serves on the Michigan Trails Fund board, and previously chaired the board of Groundwork Center. Craig has a BA degree from Hope College and a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan.
Douglas Jester, Secretary
Douglas is the preceding Flow vice chair, and is a partner at 5 Lakes Energy. Prior to joining 5 Lakes Energy, Douglas served as senior energy policy advisor at the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth. Douglas holds degrees from New Mexico State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
Keith Schneider, At-Large
Keith Schneider, senior editor at Circle of Blue, is a nationally recognized environmental journalist reporting on energy, agriculture, and water. A former New York Times correspondent, Keith recently had the honor of writing the NYT obituary for Jane Goodall. He contributes to The Guardian, ProPublica, National Geographic, and more.
Mike succeeds outgoing chair and retiring board member, Sarah Naperala. Sarah served on the Flow board for 10 years, and Flow is grateful for her decade of outstanding leadership, counsel, and commitment to ensuring that the Great Lakes are healthy, public, and protected for all.
