Autumn Ziemba McKenzie Transitions to Lifebanc as Community Manager

Autumn Ziemba McKenzie has embarked on a new chapter in her career, taking on the role of manager of community services at Lifebanc, Ohio’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to organ, eye, and tissue recovery. With more than two decades in television journalism, McKenzie is now shifting her focus toward mission-driven work that aligns closely with her personal experiences.

Career Shift Toward Community Support

After spending four years at Milestones Autism Resources, McKenzie expressed her enthusiasm for joining Lifebanc, stating, “Anything mission-driven really is a touchpoint for me.” She has been a resident of Lakewood for nearly two decades and is a graduate of Highland High School from the class of 1996. McKenzie’s journey into nonprofit work has been deeply influenced by her family’s experiences, including her two children on the autism spectrum and her son’s leukemia diagnosis.

Her personal challenges have provided her with a unique perspective on vulnerability. “We’ve been the family that was in a really difficult spot,” she said. “While it wasn’t specific to organ donation, it was in the realm of special needs and pediatric cancer, knowing what it’s like to be exceptionally vulnerable and often in a dark place.” This background fuels her passion for Lifebanc’s mission, which aims to save lives and foster a legacy of giving in the community.

Responsibilities and Community Impact

As the new manager of community services, McKenzie will lead strategic outreach and education initiatives focused on organ donation across a 20-county region. She will work closely with more than 80 hospitals to enhance Lifebanc’s impact and support its crucial operations.

“I’ve just found a whole different level of gratitude that comes from this kind of work,” she remarked.

McKenzie’s commitment to community service is not new; she has previously volunteered with the Lakewood Animal Shelter Citizens Committee and the Lakewood City Schools PTA. Her dedication to helping others has deep roots in Lakewood, a city she has called home for nearly twenty years.

In addition to her professional endeavors, McKenzie has developed a passion for gardening and butterfly conservation. Since 2021, she and her family have participated in the Monarch Watch Monarch Waystation Program, maintaining pollinator habitats on their property. They have successfully raised and released nearly 600 monarch butterflies, a project that McKenzie finds both rewarding and educational for her children.

“It’s a pretty cool process,” she said. “My daughter in particular loves helping with it and, of course, names all of the butterflies before we release them.” For McKenzie, her interest in butterflies serves as a poignant metaphor for the work at Lifebanc. “It is a transformation, and a beautiful one at that,” she reflected.

The connection between her personal life and her new role has not gone unnoticed. “Butterflies are everywhere, sort of as a symbol in the organization,” she said. “When you think about it, the whole idea of organ donation is giving the greatest gift you could possibly give to someone — new life.”

As McKenzie steps into her new position, she remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause that resonates deeply with her own life experiences. Her journey reflects a commitment not just to her professional aspirations, but also to the transformative power of community and support. With her leadership, Lifebanc aims to strengthen its outreach and continue its mission of saving lives through the generosity of donors and families.