Oakland Leadership Honors 3 Area Residents

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This year’s honorees for Leadership Oakland’s “Leader of Leaders” Awards are Scott Hiipakka, Debra Hendren, and Janet McPeek. They were recognized by Leadership Oakland — a nonprofit organization focused on business and community leadership development—for demonstrating outstanding leadership accomplishments in each of the organization’s areas of focus – personal, professional, and public leadership.

Hiipakka was honored for his his role in helping with the Flint water crisis and as a non-profit volunteer.  Hiipakka was recognized for his passion for leading and serving others. He was recently asked by senior military leadership of the Michigan National Guard to become a senior planner in the Flint response effort, taking leave from his position as a territory account leader at Ethicon. Hiipakka, of Commerce Township, serves as president of his class and participating in numerous committees and board efforts.

 

 

As director of Community Programs and Outreach for Community Housing Network, Hendren is described as being a compassionate and tireless ally for our most vulnerable residents. She was recognized for her passion for serving the homeless and her work to increase collaboration among the many agencies serving this population and break down barriers for individuals without permanent IDs. Hendren’s efforts captured statewide attention and she was honored with the 2014 Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness Community Champion award. Hendren lives in Troy.

McPeek, of Oxford, was recognized for helping the lives of hundreds of at-risk youth.  As president and CEO of Crossroads for Youth – providing residential, day treatment and community-based services to children and teens – McPeek is credited with understanding the needs and developing the structure and programs to guide youths to a brighter future. She is an active community volunteer and served as a former Leadership Oakland board president.  Following her retirement this spring, McPeek plans to remain active in the community and private practice.