Founder & Executive Director  
Stephanie SULJAK

Stephanie started her career with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) where she spent 9 years in Madison WI, Ann Arbor. MI and Saint Louis, MO.  In 2005 she moved to TALX Corporation where she was a Senior Director of the Tax Credit and Incentives Division. At just over $20M it was the smallest division of the company but provided a lot of hands-on learning due to the fact that the entire division was comprised of formerly competing companies.  Every day was quite an experience, similar to parenting...

Stephanie left TALX in 2007 after they were acquired by Equifax with the idea of staying home with her children. During her time away from the business world she became foster parent and adopted a little boy named Marcus.  Stephanie also came realize that her passion was helping others so decided to start a nonprofit that filled in the current agency gaps.  In August of 2011 the organization was formed and in October it was an official 501c3. 

HHMD began in her living room with 12 referring partner agencies and now has well over 125 agencies that refer the service and a whole warehouse to support the need. As of 2022 more than 30,000 children and their families have been served in some way by Helping Hand Me Downs.

Stephanie and her husband Chris live in Wildwood with their 2 children ages 9 and 12 and their dogs Bubba, Hank and Macy.  

Education & Resources Director Mary Brown

Mary is a Core Alignment Specialist, Founder of Etched In Your Heart, and a mother and grandmother. Mary has expanded her coaching business to assist and coach parents and families at Helping Hand Me Downs.

Mary’s own powerful coaching journey began from a state of unacceptance in herself and has ignited the passion to “show up” for others with an understanding heart and the ability to feel what others feel. Mary brings a renewed strength by empowering and educating others to RESET, RECOGNIZE and RECLAIM their self-worth. Coaching with Mary creates personal growth that leads to strength and expansion of your wings. She supports those who do not recognize their self-worth. And she is worthy of supporting you and seeing your own worthiness. Mary experienced and understands that more can be created when your mind, body and heart are aligned.

Give yourself permission to get personalized attention. – Mary Brown