In 1978, Ms. VanEseltine began working for Upjohn in Kalamazoo and retired from Pfizer in 2012. Her career encompassed computer-based project work where team leadership and attention to detail were highly valued. A highlight of Ms. VanEseltine’s career was leadership of the global computer compliance project. Leading a team of 10-15 people, Ms. VanEseltine visited various manufacturing plants and delivered assessment, education, and follow-up to bring Pharmacia into compliance on a world-wide basis. In recognition of this achievement, Ms. VanEseltine was honored with The Upjohn Award in 2002.

As part of CCJT, Ms. VanEseltine shares her passion for building the Beloved Community in Kalamazoo County. With the increasing difficulty of working on national or state policies and practices, she is committed to applying organizational skills, attention to detail and passion to criminal justice work in her county. She is also active in the Kalamazoo branches of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust (ALPACT), and the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community (ISAAC).

Ms. VanEseltine holds an MA from Case Western Reserve University in Operations Research, a field of applied mathematics.  Her undergraduate studies led to a BA double major in Mathematics and Psychology from Oberlin College.