Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Von Kaenel.
Hi Bob, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been curious. About how things work, about what motivates people, about what’s possible if you refuse to accept the status quo.
My career started in the early 80s in Erie, Pennsylvania. I had an entry level sales role for a large company in the healthcare industry. I was young, ambitious, and eager to learn. My customers back then were mostly OR nurses—incredible people who took me under their wing and taught me far more than I could’ve imagined. They showed me what real service looks like: empathy, precision, and consistency under pressure. That experience shaped everything that’s come since.
From there, I built a career that’s always centered on problem solving and possibility. Whether it was growing a business, leading turnarounds, or helping teams find new ways to win—I’ve always been driven by the question, what’s next? I’ve been fortunate to work internationally and alongside people from vastly different backgrounds, which opened my eyes to the power of perspective. When you see diverse people living diverse lives, you start to see more possibilities. And that’s where innovation lives.
When I joined Hope Network, first as a board member and later as President and CEO, that same curiosity and drive came with me. Hope is a complex organization, but it’s also a deeply human one. My goal has been to make sure every person here, from the people we serve to the people doing the serving, feels empowered to stretch, grow, and make an impact. Because when you give people room to lead with care and creativity, remarkable things happen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think “smooth” is ever the goal. The most meaningful work usually lives somewhere between challenge and change.
When I first joined Hope Network’s Board of Directors, I saw an organization with incredible heart and expertise, but each service line operated in its own silo. They were doing great work, but we weren’t always connecting the dots between them. We weren’t seeing whole people with multiple needs that we could help meet. Our strategy, at times, was more reactive than holistic.
When I stepped into the CEO role, my goal was to shift that—to help us see our mission as a full continuum of care. Today, that’s our wraparound model: supporting the whole person, not just the diagnosis. But that shift also meant changing culture. We now have a strong focus on empowering employees, reducing barriers, and giving them the freedom to innovate.
Hope is one of Michigan’s best-kept secrets, and I would like to make sure that someday, hopefully soon, I never have to say that again. The world should know what we do and why it matters.
I’ve always been comfortable being uncomfortable, because that’s where growth happens. Every role I’ve ever taken has been a stretch. Every challenge has been a chance to learn. And no matter the outcome, I can always say, “I learned a lot.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hope Network ?
Hope Network is one of Michigan’s largest nonprofits, serving over 30,000 people each year through more than 125 locations. We provide care and support across behavioral health, neuro rehabilitation, autism services, transportation, affordable housing, workforce development, and more.
What makes Hope different is our belief that no person is more valuable than the next. We’re here to empower folks with physical, mental, and social challenges—but we do that by focusing on the person first. We don’t see “patients” or “clients”; we see people with potential.
Our approach is holistic. We look at the full picture and build systems around the individual, not the other way around. We call that our wraparound model of care, and it’s what allows someone to come to Hope for one need and stay to grow in many areas of life.
Culturally, we’ve done a lot of work to clarify who we are. Our “Equally Human” message reflects a truth that’s always been there: every person has value, and every person deserves opportunity. I’m incredibly proud of how our teams have embraced that.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve never sought risk for the sake of risk. I seek opportunity. I chase progress. And risk is essential to progress!
I get bored when things are complacent. I’m wired to stretch—to look around corners, to ask what could be better, to challenge myself and others. I can’t just manage; I need a challenge to feel fulfilled. And I want every Hope Network team member to feel that same push.
Because the best ideas don’t necessarily come from people with the biggest titles. They come from people who are close to the work and who are willing to try something new. That’s why I try to create an environment where people are empowered to try new things, fail fast, learn quickly, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hopenetwork.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopenetwork
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hopenetworkmi/
