Judith A. Runk
President
Judith A. Runk is an RN with many years experience in acute healthcare services and in the healthcare consulting arena. She has been involved with the Detroit Children's Choir since its inception and has witnessed the growth of student programs and outreach over the years. She currently volunteers in both the health care arena as a member of the Patient-Family Advisory Committee of Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and in support for the arts with the Detroit Children's Choir. She works with organizations that provide services to special needs children. "Children are the future. We know that children who are exposed to music and the arts carry the learning for their lives. They help us all build a culture of inclusion."
Dedra Clark
Board Secretary
Dedra Clark comes to the Detroit Children's Choir Board after many years with AT&T. Her professional experiences include management roles in credit and collections, quality and process improvement and publishing operations. Her volunteer experience is extensive, currently serving at the Freedom Center at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and as Secretary of the Detroit Children's Choir Board. She previously served with the Troy Community Coalition and various volunteer positions in the Farmington Hills school system. She has shown particular devotion to the Detroit Children's Choir by offering her skills in operations; grant writing and fundraising related to the support of the choir.
Tanya R. Hill
Board Member at Large
Tanya R. Hill is the creator and founder of ForeverFresh - a line of disposable undergarments for adults and children, (under the brand name ToddiFresh). National distributors to schools in 19 states sell the products. In a separate venture, she and partners operate a mix of local and national food and retail brands at Detroit Metro airport. Allen believes that whatever you aspire to do in life is attainable with faith, perseverance and the willingness to continue to learn - never being afraid to think outside the box. She lives life passionately with two credos- "Lift as you climb" and "Live to give". As a member of the Board of the Detroit Children's Choir, Tanya has provided opportunities to sing in several high-profile venues in the Detroit area.
Robert Magee
Board Member at Large
Robert Magee is Executive Director of The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD). Under Robert's leadership, ESD has refocused its mission to maintain Michigan's position as a global hub for engineering and engineering leaders. Before joining ESD, Robert held various leadership positions in the advertising division of AT&T, a fortune 50 company. Coming from an underprivileged background, raised lovingly by a single mother, Robert knows first- hand the importance of providing opportunities to people and of giving back to one's community. He is currently a "Partner of Cornerstone" mentor at Cornerstone Schools Nevada Campus and is the Chairman of the Deacon Ministry of his church, Trinity MBC in Pontiac, MI. Robert also serves on the Advisory Board for the Detroit Metropolitan Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the President's National Advisory Council at Henry Ford College, the Detroit Children's Choir Board of Directors, and on the Dean of Engineering Advisory Boards at both Eastern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University.
Sharyn Gallatin
Board Member at Large
Sharyn J. Gallatin, Esq. is currently the Director of Development, North America for Optometry Giving Sight, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide vision services to underserved populations around the world. Sharyn has over 20 years of fundraising and development experience in the non-profit arena including direct solicitations, grant writing and foundation and governmental fund acquisition. She has raised millions of dollars for the organizations to whom she has lent her talents.
Prior to entering the development field as a professional, Sharyn maintained her own law practice for over fifteen years, specializing in special needs advocacy and estate planning. Sharyn has held numerous volunteer board positions in her more than twenty-year volunteer career for such organizations as Jewish federations in Michigan, New Jersey and New York, Jewish Family Services in Metro Detroit, several women’s advocacy organizations and now is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Children’s Choir.
Sharyn was born and raised in northern New Jersey. She is the proud mother of Joshua and Rose. She currently resides in Commerce Township, Michigan.