Our Mission
Up North Advocacy empowers Northern Michigan communities through encouraging civic engagement, amplifying our diverse voices, and advocating for positive change. Grounded in our love for our region and its people, we champion democracy, education, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity to create a stronger, resilient, more equitable home for all.
Meet Our Team
Kalvin Carter
Project Director
Kalvin Carter is the Project Director for Up North Advocacy, a dedicated father, and an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for nature. He loves hiking, hunting, fishing, and home brewing. With five years of experience in community organizing, Kalvin is committed to building strong communities and fostering teamwork to make northern Michigan a better place for everyone. Residing in Sault Ste. Marie in the EUP of Michigan, he takes pride in contributing positively to his community and working towards a more inclusive future for all.
Linda Wiseley
Education Organizer
Born and raised in northern Michigan (and never left!) – I’m a true northern Michigander through and through! Born in Gaylord, my father was a union tradesman (worked on erecting the Mackinac Bridge) and politically active in the Democratic party at local, state and national levels. He also instilled a sense of community advocacy, and while I didn’t appreciate it at the time, I’ve come to recognize and appreciate this part of my (hers)tory I share this background with you because I’ve come to realize that through him, I was introduced at a very young age to community involvement and activism, especially for communities throughout northern and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Most of my child-and early adult-hood was spent working on our family built and operated small business in Gaylord. I then became involved in trades training as a continuing education alternative for people throughout northern Michigan. Volunteering in various capacities for local and state political campaigns as well as local organizations also brought a more meaningful purpose to my life. I currently reside in Cheboygan (after leaving Gaylord for Indian River (where I lived for 19 years). I have two daughters who also graduated from Gaylord. My youngest daughter and spouse live in Los Angeles and my oldest daughter, spouse and only grandchild live in Traverse City. If you were to ask them what I’ve always talked about the most..they would unequivocally say “POLITICS”!! I think my dad would be proud! And all of THAT brings me to where I am today – proud and honored to be working alongside a fantastic team of committed, dedicated like-minded people – working and advocating for the betterment of our northern Michigan communities and citizens – UpNorthAdvocacy!
Steph Sleeman
Digital Media Coordinator
Steph Sleeman received their Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lake Superior State University; and a Master’s in Communications- Public Relations from Southern New Hampshire University. She has done digital media work, along with event planning for the past 2 years. She is looking forward to continuing to build up northern Michigan communities and advocating for the issues important to all of us.
David Markham
IT Coordinator
David Markham is a lifelong Soo resident. He is also a tech enthusiast, chef, caterer, planning commission member, and even had a stint as a sugar bush tubing installation expert. His diverse experiences have taught him to be adaptable and always eager to learn new things. David is passionate about seeing leadership prioritize investment in the future.
Steering Committee
Heidi Witucki
Steering Committee Member
Zach Norman
Steering Committee Member
Monica Cady
Steering Committee Member
also known as Waubishkee- Gog-Kway, (White Porcupine Woman) is a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and resides in the Boreal forest of Hessel, Michigan. She designs pollinator gardens, leads plant walks to teach how to forage wild edibles sustainably, does plant rescues and land restoration.
Joey Nolan
Steering Committee Member
Born and raised a Yooper! Graduated from Soo High, Bay Mills & LSSU. Currently in charge of attacking poverty at Community Action and forever a sports enthusiast. Can read a balance sheet and a playbook. Outside of the office, I love to spend quality time with my family, my wife Amanda, and my fur babies Caesar & Willow. Just a numbers nerd that wants to make our communities a better place to live and thrive!
Chloe Kannan
Steering Committee Member
Dr. Chloe Kannan, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a practitioner scholar and facilitator dedicated to advancing equity-driven initiatives in K-12 schools, higher education, and tribal communities across the U.S. and India. A Sue Lehmann National Award Winner for Excellence in Transformational Teaching, Teach for America’s highest national honor, and recipient of the Dean’s Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, she has extensive experience in fostering diverse teams and driving organizational change. Beginning her career as a teacher in rural Mississippi, Dr. Kannan has built partnerships with elite schools, nonprofits, and local governments, and directed various research teams focused on equity-driven research.
Dr. Kannan is currently the Director of the Indigenous Education Youth Collective in her tribal homeland and a founding member of the Eighth Fire Collective, aimed at enhancing institutional capacity for Indigenous knowledge systems. She is also an affiliate faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania in their Chief Learning Officer Ed.D. program for global leaders and an adjunct professor in Education at Lake Superior State University, holding degrees from the University of Michigan, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she is an open water swimmer, enjoys attending community events, and loves to spend time with her husband and two cats.
