Our Staff
Access staff | 2026
Tinley Kindy
Co-Executive Director of Operations
Tinley Kindy, one of our new co-executive directors, has been with Access since November of 2022. She is a Tibetan refugee and the first generation born outside of Tibet after the Chinese invasion and occupation. Raised in a refugee settlement in India, she witnessed the harsh realities of poverty and displacement, which fueled her passion for human rights and social justice. This upbringing deeply shaped her personal values and inspired her lifelong commitment to advocating for dignity, equity, and opportunities for all. Now at Access of West Michigan, Tinley channels her powerful life experiences into supporting underserved communities, ensuring that everyone has access to the basic rights and resources they deserve.
“I cannot unsee the disparity in how resources are allocated or almost deprived for certain groups of people,” she says. “Access holds these same values, and I am so grateful to be part of an organization that works toward a more equitable future.”
Gratia Lee
Co-Executive Director of Programs
Gratia joined the team in January of 2022. She enjoys engaging with the community around shared goals of increased health equity and improved food access. She is passionate about the environment and sees food as an important entry point to connect people to one another and our planet. She currently is a co-chair of the Kent County County Food Policy Council. She sits on the Food and Nutrition Coalition where she helps chair the Health Equity and Community Power Action Team. She is also a part of the Good Food Charter Council.
Gratia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Denison University, and a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Education from Antioch University of New England. Prior to Access, Gratia worked in the education field for the past fifteen years. Most recently, she was the Director of Sustainable Agriculture at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, where she also taught environmental science. Outside of work, Gratia enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Board of Directors
Interested in joining our Board? Please reach out to our Co-Executive Director, Gratia Lee at Gratia@accessofwestmichigan.org.