Becky Gaskin joined the American Red Cross in Spring 2022, serving as the executive director for the East Central Bay, Michigan Chapter. She serves as the community liaison for the chapter, which is based in Flint and covers ten surrounding counties: Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Gladwin, Huron, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola.
Becky supports the Red Cross’ network of services in the chapter, including disaster, blood, training, and volunteer services, as well as assistance for members of the military, veterans, and their families. Her work also includes serving as an elected official liaison. She often joins volunteers on local and national disasters.
Some deployments include providing care and comfort after Hurricane Helene, flooding in Western Kentucky, and tornadoes and flooding in Southern Indiana.
Becky brings entrepreneurial, mission-driven experience to the Red Cross, formerly owning a preschool and childcare center and working in early childhood development for 16 years. Her early work includes certifications in Parents and Teachers and serving as Coordinator of the Great Start Collaboration and SKIP to a Great Start for Lake Fenton schools. She also shared her passion for health and wellness teaching yoga and served as Wellness and Community Engagement Coordinator for Diplomat Pharmacy for five years.
During her time there, she received recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business – Michigan’s Healthiest Employees, Best & Brightest in Wellness, and was nominated for WELCOA’s Top 100 Wellness Professionals.
Her time as executive director of The Hagerman Foundation is when she fell in love with nonprofit work. Under her leadership, the Foundation awarded over $18 million in grants to more than 100 organizations.
Highlights from her tenure include expanding the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, supporting Young Life of Genesee County, literacy projects at Friends of Berston Field House and Flint Development Center, and funding the early childhood wing at the Sloan Museum of Discovery. She also served with the Council of Michigan Foundations in advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., and on several advisory committees, including current work with Sunrise Rotary Club, Flint Women’s Forum, and the Mott Community College Foundation Board.
Becky holds a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in nonprofit organizations and a bachelor’s degree in business and corporate communications from the University of Michigan-Flint, as well as a child development associate from Mott Community College. She was a recipient of the Community Leadership Scholarship, which enabled her to earn her master’s degree. “The year I graduated, one of my sons graduated with his bachelor’s and one with his HS Diploma, so three graduates in the house with five of us in school, all spread out during our time ‘at home,'” she said.
Becky took a short pause in her work to answer some fun and thoughtful questions for My City Magazine.
1. As a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a dancer or a teacher. While I never pursued dance professionally, you’ll still find me moving whenever music plays. Teaching became my early career path. I spent 16 years in preschool and early childhood development, where I loved bringing literacy to life and watching children learn through play and flourish. Those years remain some of the most meaningful of my life.
2. What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Leaving a marriage of 13 years with four young children. I walked away from a toxic environment, my childcare center, and everything I had built. I took a chance on myself and began a journey of healing. I had no idea what life would look like, but I knew it was best for me and my kids. Looking back, I sometimes wonder how I did it. That time was also filled with such grace from the people who loved and supported us. A big thank you to my village—you know who you are.
3. What are you most excited about in your life right now?
So much! My daughter is getting married next year, I’m gaining grandbabies, my youngest graduated from Grand Valley on December 6, and my stepson graduates from Flushing High School in the spring. I feel incredibly blessed to watch my children grow.
4. What are your biggest goals for the future?
I feel like I’m just getting started at the American Red Cross. My biggest goals involve community mobilization and engaging partners to ensure sustainable impact across the counties I serve. Our volunteers inspire me daily. Deploying on national disasters changed me. Serving alongside volunteers and providing comfort brought the mission home. I plan to continue that work—it’s my way of paying it forward. And for fun, I hope to stay healthy and travel more (which means more Disney trips with grandkids).
Becky Gaskin is about to be deployed to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
5. Describe your typical weekend.
A date night with my husband, Jamie, or time spent with family and friends is always the goal. In the summer, you’ll find me at our pool or laughing on one of my sisters’ pontoon boats. I love kayaking, long walks, or enjoying a good bonfire. In the winter, we’re all about game nights and movies. On quiet days, I love to paint, but time with my kids feels especially golden now that they are grown.
Becky is in character as Fruitloops the Clown with two of her children.
6. What is your “secret” talent?
It has been a while, but I’m also known as Fruitloops the Clown. It’s usually my fun fact during icebreakers. I was a professional clown—with custom-made hot pink and yellow shoes. I can make balloon animals, do face painting, creative movement, and anything that allows me to be silly. I think it’s important to laugh at ourselves.
7. Who is your hero?
It’s hard to choose just one hero because my life is full of people I deeply admire. My sisters, Kim and Barb, have faced their own battles with grace. My mother showed me what unwavering faith and unconditional love look like. And my kids amaze me—I sometimes want to be them when I grow up. I also can’t leave out my husband, Jamie Gaskin. I met him during the Flint water crisis and fell in love with who he is and what he stands for—truth, community, and the power of working together. He’s my partner, my inspiration, and one of my greatest heroes.
