Introducing North Star Reach’s New Executive Director

We are thrilled to welcome Mitch Rosenwasser as North Star Reach’s new Executive Director.

“Mitch brings decades of experience managing people-focused operations,” said Matthew Denenberg, MD, North Star Reach Board of Directors Co-Chair and Chief of Pediatrics for Beaumont Hospital. “His enthusiasm and passion for helping others fit perfectly with our mission of creating life-changing experiences for children and their families as they cope with serious medical issues.”

Rosenwasser, who assumes the role April 11, will oversee day-to-day operations, as well as manage fundraising activities, internal and external communications, and human resources. He joins North Star Reach with over 30 years of camp administration and leadership experience. Since 2002, he has served as Executive Director at Camp Michigania in northern Michigan, which provides recreational and educational experiences to University of Michigan Alumni Association members and their families.

“I am honored to lead an organization dedicated to providing transformative camp experiences for children living with life-threatening illnesses and their family members,” said Rosenwasser. “This truly is the opportunity of a lifetime to carry on the inspirational work happening at North Star Reach.”

Rosenwasser (pictured here with his dog, Aspen) was inspired to join North Star Reach when he met a camper named Faith last fall during a camp visit. At the time, he was considering a position on the board of Directors. He heard firsthand how camp transformed Faith’s life. She had gained lasting friendships and felt empowered to define her life by her own talents and dreams, rather than by her illness. “That encounter changed my outlook from wanting to be on the board to wanting to be part of the team,” says Rosenwasser. “It became clear why North Star Reach is so urgently needed. There are hundreds more Faiths waiting for the same chance.”

Rosenwasser arrives just months before North Star Reach welcomes campers back to in-person camp after programs were held virtually for two years during the pandemic. The upcoming season will host children with a primary diagnosis of congenital heart disease, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, and brain cancer, as well as kids who have received an organ transplant. Summer camps are scheduled for June and July, while family retreat weekends will be held in the spring and fall. We can’t wait for our community to meet him in the coming months.