Our Passionate Staff

Andrea Swiger, was in the first cohort to graduate from the Aquinas College POHI/CE program in 2005. Immediately following graduation, she began working at Conductive Learning Center. During her time at CLC, she attained an additional early childhood education endorsement in 2012, grew into the role of Senior Conductor-Teacher, and most recently was appointed as Program Director. She is a founding member of ACENA and has served on the board of directors in the past.

Being an active part of the conductive education community has always been important to her, and Andrea has had the pleasure to speak at several CE conferences both within the United States and Internationally. Andrea enjoys working with the children and families at CLC, consulting on CLC projects with other centers within the United States, and serving as a mentor to Aquinas students throughout their lab school practice.

Angela J. Freier is originally from Flint, Michigan but has enjoyed calling West Michigan home for the past 5 years. She attended Central Michigan University to study music education and then went on to Florida State University to receive her Masters in Non-Profit Administration. Angela‘s most recent fundraising positions included the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Opera Grand Rapids. Mrs. Freier currently serves on the board of the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network of Grand Rapids  (YNPN) and the West Michigan Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She was awarded the Chamberlain Scholarship from AFP to attend the 2020 ICON National Conference. She joined CLC in March 2020 and is eager to bring CLC to the forefront of minds all over West Michigan and extend its impact to the national stage.

In her free time, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband, Nathan, and two children, Abigail and Graham. Her favorite hobbies include reading, eating, cleaning basically anything, coloring, video games, and singing. Fun Facts: Angela is a classically trained Opera singer and once held the Michigan women’s state bowling record.

Jill began working at the Conductive Learning Center in January 2017. She has over 30 years of experience working in an office environment, including running a mortgage company for over 22 years. At CLC, she really enjoys interacting with parents and supporting the center staff. She has also volunteered her time promoting CLC’s involvement in the annual River Bank Run, which helps raise scholarship funds for students in need.

Maria began working at the Conductive Learning Center of North America in September 2019.  She is a graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with majors in Marketing and Human Resources Management, and a minor in Applied Technology in Business.  She also has a Master’s degree in Marketing and Production and Operations Management.  After taking a career sabbatical for a few years to raise her kids, she is thrilled to support CLC’s administrative tasks.

While one of her sons attended CLC in the past, she volunteered her time at CLC on a regular basis, and has served on Team CLC’s organizational committee for the annual River Bank Run to promote CLC and to raise scholarship funds for the center.

Elizabeth Filkins is a graduate of the Aquinas College POHI/Conductive Education training program where she earned her initial teacher certifications in Elementary Education and POHI, as well as a conductor-teacher certificate from the International Pető Insitute. She has been working as a conductor-teacher at the Conductive Learning Center of North America in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 2008 and is now also the Assistant Program Director. In 2012, she completed an additional endorsement in Early Childhood Education and has since begun pursing a master’s degree from Western Michigan University's department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Studies. She is passionate about working with students with motor impairments and spreading awareness of conductive education within North America. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Conductive Education in North America (ACENA) in various positions including the Director of Continuing Education, Director of Practice, and most recently, the Director of Membership.

Alissa Finley is a graduate of Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Early Childhood Education. In addition, she holds teaching certifications through the state of Michigan in Elementary Education (K-5), Physical or Other Health Impairments (K-12), and Early Childhood Education, as well as a conductor-teacher certificate from the András Pető Faculty of Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. She is currently working at the Conductive Learning Center of North America as a Conductor-Teacher. As a new professional in the field, she is excited to continue to gain knowledge and insight about conductive education to share with the Grand Rapids community and rest of the state and nation.

Allie Powaser graduated from Aquinas College with her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education, with an endorsement in Physical or Other Health Impairments (K-12), as well as a conductor-teacher certificate from the András Pető Faculty of Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. She is currently working at the Conductive Learning Center of North America as a Conductor-Teacher. She previously served as the secretary on the Board of Directors for the Association for Conductive Education in North America. As a new professional in the field, she is excited to be a part of the team and work to spread the word about Conductive Education in the community as well as in North America.

Chuck Saur (pronounced Soar) has worked in several education-related jobs for business, colleges, and local and state governments.  He retired in 2013 as Project Director for the Michigan Transition Outcomes Project, a statewide IDEA-funded effort to support students with special needs to move from school to post-school, prepared for their lives.

Chuck founded the Conductive Learning Center (CLC) with his late wife, Susie, as they searched for better methods of teaching children with movement disorders.

Chuck has served on several local and state Boards, currently as vice-chair at CLC, and as chair of Olivia’s Gift, Inc, a non-profit housing organization for young adults with disabilities. His accomplishments include raising his sons, Dan and Nick; writing for work and pleasure; building stuff; sailboat racing and cruising; and trying to support efforts in the community that matter.

Mark L Clarke is a senior consultant for CommunityWorks, Inc., an international consulting practice located in Indianapolis. For the past eighteen years, Mark’s primary focus centers on working with Religious Congregations around management, establishing new organizational models, and creating collaborative relationships. Previously, he worked at Carlson Marketing Group and Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning in Program Design, Marketing, and Public Relations. Mark served as the founding Director of Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids, Mi. His passion is participating in and working with groups creating a breadth of vision, a unity of purpose, and a commitment to take action for social transformation.

Bill Shefferly is a Financial Specialist for Grand Rapids Public Schools. His principal job responsibility is accounting and reporting for all Special Education programs within the District and he uses that working knowledge to support CLC as Board Treasurer. Bill is originally from Dearborn, Michigan and attended Western Michigan University before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Bill has an MBA from the University of Detroit and is a CPA in the state of Michigan. He spent 6 years in public accounting and 4 with Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young); 7 years at Federal-Mogul and then moved to Big Rapids, MI to work for Ferris State Univ (11 years) and then Aquinas for 11 years. He has been working at GRPS for 10 years now and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Mary

Andrew Blum is a partner with the law firm of Miller Canfield and serves as the resident director of its Grand Rapids’ office.   In his practice, Andrew specializes in eminent domain litigation and commercial litigation. In addition to his firm management role, Andrew also serves on multiple non-profit boards at the local, state , and national levels.  A two-time  graduate of Notre Dame,  Andrew was recently named the Notre Dame Club’s Person of the Year as well as the  Samaritas’ Ambassador Award winner.  Andrew and his wife, Christi, are the proud parents of two children.

Cathy joined Meijer in management in the specialty shop division of Meijer.  She moved to the corporate headquarters a year later as a coordinator on the Corporate Brands team where she led the development of corporate brand packaging along with the execution of internal and external Meijer trade shows.  

Since that time, she has held various leadership positions in the areas of Financial Services, Business Development, Corporate Marketing, Foods Marketing, Promotions, Sponsorships and Co-Marketing inclusive of corporate events, consumer contests, licensed events, sports marketing, community sponsorship, and cause marketing totaling over 500 programs annually.  

She was most recently responsible for leading community partnerships and corporate giving inclusive of community sponsorships, sports marketing and charitable giving at Meijer. In 2014 she added the responsibility and leadership of the inaugural Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently serves as the Executive Director of the tournament.

Prior to joining Meijer, Cathy attended Alma College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She has attended Leadership Flight School, Creative Center for Leadership, Leadership Advantage, Karrass Negotiations, diversity and assertiveness training along with ongoing business seminars and conferences. She currently serves on the boards of Gilda’s Club, American Heart Association as Board Chair, The Better Business Bureau, Experience Grand Rapids and the Conductive Learning Center of North America.

She resides in Rockford, Michigan with her husband Paul and has three children, Jamie, Kylie and Michael .

Matt Nelson is a partner at the law firm of Warner Norcross + Judd and is the chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. He has argued in the U.S. Supreme Court and has been named a Top Lawyer in Appellate Law by Grand Rapids Magazine and Grand Rapids Appellate Practice Lawyer of the year by Best Lawyers in America.  Matt lives in Ada with his wife and three children. Matt’s daughter learned to walk with the help of the Conductive Learning Center of North America, and he is grateful to have the opportunity give back to the CLC.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy writing, reading, digital painting, spending time with friends, public speaking, and physical activity

How did you get involved with CLC?
I first got involved with CLC as a student in the summer of 1998 I believe. We had tried several physical therapy treatments to no avail and my family and I heard about CLC. I began when I was two years old and since then ,CLC has helped me develop many skills which provide me with much needed independence. Its unique approach helped me learn the skills I needed to be able to live at college, graduate, and pursue a full-time career.

What draws you to CLC’s mission?
I am drawn to the mission because I know from personal experience that this program makes a world of difference. Without it, I would not be able to do what I am able to do today nor would I be in the position I’m in. To me, it’s important that other individuals that might be in the same situation I am in are provided with the same opportunities I’ve been provided with. CLC works. It is a Family. It is unique and is something that more people need to be exposed to because they don’t realize how much of a difference it makes. This is not just something that works in a classroom - it has a trickle-down effect that supports students well beyond when they graduate. This was my opportunity to give back to an organization that has changed my life.

What do you want to share about CLC and its programs that some readers may not know?
A unique thing about conductive education is that it is individualized while still giving students the opportunity to work together to overcome challenges and difficulties. To me, one of the most important parts of the program is the relationships and the camaraderie you build as you’re trying to overcome these challenges. It may be something as simple as brushing your teeth, but for a lot of the students that is a monumental achievement. Everyone has their story that is worth sharing.

What is your advice to someone who is looking for ways to help CLC and get more involved?
Each person has an opportunity to make a difference—especially at CLC. The whole organization is about coming together despite physical limitations or challenges. I would encourage somebody who is trying to get involved that this is a safe place. Anyone can get involved and have a big impact. Every little bit counts.

In 1998, his first year as Aquinas College President, he worked with Dean Jim Garofalo and Chuck and Susan Saur to establish the CLC at Aquinas. He is a recipient of the Honorary Conductor Award from the Peto Institute.

After his retirement from Aquinas he was appointed President of Aqua Clara International, a non-profit NGO whose purpose is to design clean water technologies for use in developing countries. Aqua Clara is headquartered in the MSU Bio-Economy Institute in Holland, and has offices in Kenya and Nicaragua, with the Kenyan operation recognized this past year as a B Corp, the only non-profit in East Africa to achieve this designation. Aqua Clara’s technologies are based on its three patents and now produce over three million liters per day of clean water in more than 30 countries.

Harry and his wife Sheila have one son, Kevin, and one daughter, Anne. The Knopke’s live in Grand Rapids in the Cherry Hill historic district.

Cathy has been a volunteer in the Grand Rapids community, for over 40 years, in various organizations. Her grand-daughter, Alexandra, has severe Cerebral Palsy and was the inspiration for her involvement at CLC for the past 19 years.  Alexandra was also the inspiration for her son Brad (Alexandra’s dad) to become the Chair of The National Epilepsy Board.

Cathy’s husband, Paul, and daughter, Kim, are involved with several nonprofits in Grand Rapids. Cathy and her husband live in Ada. Cathy has a Masters degree in Counseling and Personnel.

Jim Garofalo was part of a team at Aquinas College who arranged with the Peto Institute (now Semmelweis University) to bring Conductive Education to Grand Rapids, to train conductors and create a lab school.

Bob VanDongen is retired from Varnum Law and specialized in trustee services for over 30 years with extensive experience in financial and trust administrative matters. He has been associated with CLC since first serving on the board in 2001 and has been active and supportive through many of the organization’s largest expansion periods over the last decade.