Brian started with Highfields in July, 2006 as the director of residential services. He was promoted to vice president of programming before being promoted to President/CEO in August 2008. Brian earned his master’s degree in social work at Michigan State University and bachelor’s degree in social work at Spring Arbor College, where he currently serves as an adjunct instructor. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, a Board Member of the Association of Social Work Boards, a Governor Appointee to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice and a member of the National Partnership for Juvenile Services. Brian loves to backpack, hike, and spend time with his kids and grandkids.
Brian D. Philson, LMSW, ACSW
President/CEO
bphilson@highfields.org
In his role as Vice President, Tim provides leadership and oversight for Highfields’ treatment services and human resources. Tim likes to tell people that he has been with Highfields since before the roads were paved, and it’s a true story! Tim’s most recent affiliation with Highfields began in 1989 (he also worked for Highfields from 1980-85). Tim returned to Highfields at the cusp of the agency’s transition into broadening services into the community, and provided leadership that moved Highfields from being a residential program for delinquent youth only, to a “full service” organization serving the entire life spectrum. Tim has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University and a master of social work degree from Michigan State University.
Timothy M. Monroe, LMSW, ACSW, DCSW
Vice President
tmonroe@highfields.org
Tyler completed his undergraduate degree at Albion College. Tyler then began working with at risk youth in 2010. Tyler began his Highfields career in 2013 as a residential counselor. During his time at Highfields, he has served in various roles in the residential program. Tyler earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Non-profit management from Eastern Michigan, graduating in 2020. In addition to his work with Highfields, Tyler has worked as a mentor based out of Jackson, MI, working with youth at varying ages. Tyler enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and sports.
Tyler Jones, MPA
Residential Director
tjones@highfields.org
Laura joined Highfields in 2015 as the Communications and Marketing Specialist. In 2019, Laura was promoted to Fund Development Director. She enjoys meeting with donors and exploring new ways for Highfields to partner with organizations in the community. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Spanish from Albion College. She serves as Secretary on the Capital Area Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals (CAC-AFP) Board of Directors. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, exercising and baking.
Laura Jurasek, BA
Fund Development Director
ljurasek@highfields.org
Ed came to Highfields in 2015 as Director of Finance. He has over 30 years of non-profit accounting, auditing and management experience. From 2009-2015 he was the Finance Manager with Peckham, Inc. in Lansing, Michigan. From 1993-2009, Ed held various positions at TechnoServe, in Norwalk, Connecticut as Internal Auditor, Manager of Accounting, and Corporate Controller. From 1988-1993 he served as Senior Accountant for Save The Children, Inc. in Westport, Connecticut. Ed earned his MBA from Spring Arbor University, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. Ed currently serves on a number of local, regional and national non-profit boards, including the Team USA Advisory Committee for the Kettlebell Lifting Olympic Team. He is a part-time adjunct professor at Spring Arbor University, and has over 25 years as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts.
Ed St. John, MBA
Director of Finance
estjohn@highfields.org
Becky is a certified Licensed Masters Level Social Worker (LMSW) and certified mindfulness instructor. She earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Community Relations and a BA in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University. Becky began working for Highfields as a Home Based Therapist in 2006. In 2008, she joined the Jackson/Hillsdale Multisystemic (MST) Team as a MST Therapist. Becky then expanded the Highfields MST program by developing a MST team serving Livingston (2012) and Washtenaw (2017) counties. In 2019, Becky was promoted to the Director of Quality and Education position along with the newly developed position of Mindfulness and Meditation Coordinator. She has received certification as a Workplace Mindfulness Instructor through Mindful Leader, Mindful Teacher Certification through Mindful Schools, and Certified Instructor of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T). In her free time, Becky enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and camping. She is also the #1 fan for her two boys and can be found cheering them on at soccer games, drone tournaments, and band concerts.
Becky Womboldt, LMSW
Director of Quality and Education, Mindfulness and Meditation Coordinator
bwomboldt@highfields.org