[Lakewood Ranch, FL] – Making An Impact, Inc. (MAI), a local nonprofit dedicated to community navigation to basic needs services, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board Members at Large, Jerry Platt and Marjo Mitsutomi. Both will serve two-year terms and bring exceptional expertise in education, finance, data analytics, linguistics, and global leadership, further strengthening MAI’s mission and impact.

William Gerald “Jerry” Platt is a distinguished educator, economist, and nonprofit leader with decades of experience in higher education, business finance, and public administration. He was Professor and Dean Emeritus of San Francisco State University’s College of Business and has held senior academic leadership roles at institutions including the University of Redlands and Akita International University in Japan. Dr. Platt holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration, an M.A. in Public Finance, an MBA, and postdoctoral training in data analytics from Stanford University. His expertise in grant procurement, financial efficiency, and data-driven decision-making will be instrumental as MAI continues to grow its programs and partnerships.

Dr. Marjo Mitsutomi brings a global and multidisciplinary perspective shaped by her work as a tenured professor, academic leader, author, translator, and ordained chaplain. She holds a Th.D. from Newburgh Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Ball State University and has taught and led academic programs in both the United States and Japan. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Mitsutomi served as a linguistic consultant to the Federal Aviation Administration, contributing to international English proficiency standards that promote aviation safety. Her deep commitment to compassionate care, cross-cultural understanding, and service to individuals in need aligns closely with MAI’s mission to advance equity, access, and community resilience.

Victoria Kasdan, Co-founder and Board Chair of Making An Impact, shared, “We are honored to welcome Jerry Platt and Marjo Mitsutomi to our Board. Their leadership and commitment to service will be invaluable as we expand access to trusted resources across Sarasota and Manatee counties.”

For more information about Making An Impact or the MAI Community Connections Basic Needs Resource Guide, visit www.Making-An-Impact.org.

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About Making An Impact

Making An Impact, Inc. (MAI) is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit connecting residents to essential community services across Sarasota and Manatee counties. MAI produces the Community Connections Basic Needs Resource Guide, available in print and online by subscription. Featuring more than 300 agencies, over 8,000 printed copies in English and Spanish have been distributed to social service providers, government agencies, law enforcement, and faith-based organizations.

Impact: MAI’s guides help thousands of individuals and families each year by equipping frontline organizations with trusted local service information.