Autumn Ziemba McKenzie Takes Charge at Lifebanc in Ohio

After more than two decades in television journalism, Autumn Ziemba McKenzie has shifted her career towards mission-driven work. Recently appointed as the new manager of community services at Lifebanc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to organ, eye, and tissue recovery, McKenzie aims to enhance community outreach and education regarding organ donation.

McKenzie, a resident of Lakewood, Ohio for nearly two decades, brings a wealth of personal experience to her new role. Her journey began with her family’s challenges, including her son’s autism diagnosis, followed closely by a leukemia diagnosis. “It was actually kind of a really therapeutic transition for me to move into this world of nonprofit work, where I could be a part of that change that had supported our family at one point,” she stated.

As Lifebanc’s only organization focused on organ recovery in the region, it connects donor families with those in need, emphasizing its mission to save lives and inspire a legacy of giving. McKenzie’s responsibilities will span a 20-county region, collaborating with over 80 hospitals to advance Lifebanc’s critical initiatives.

A Personal Connection to the Mission

McKenzie’s commitment to community service is deeply rooted in her experiences. “I’ve just found a whole different level of gratitude that comes from this kind of work,” she explained. “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.”

Her passion for service began in Lakewood, where she was an active volunteer with the Lakewood Animal Shelter Citizens Committee. When she is not engaged with Lifebanc, she contributes to the Lakewood City Schools PTA and nurtures her love for gardening, a hobby she developed while growing up on her family’s property in Hinckley.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, McKenzie found a new passion for butterflies, leading her to participate in the Monarch Watch Monarch Waystation Program. Her family has cultivated pollinator habitats, raising and releasing nearly 600 monarch butterflies since 2021. “It’s a pretty cool process,” she noted, emphasizing her daughter’s enthusiasm for naming the butterflies before their release.

A Symbol of Transformation

McKenzie draws a poignant parallel between her butterfly project and the work done at Lifebanc. “It is a transformation, and a beautiful one at that,” she said. This connection was even more evident on her first day at Lifebanc, where butterflies serve as a symbol for the organization.

“Thinking about organ donation, it’s giving the greatest gift you could possibly give to someone — new life,” she reflected. McKenzie’s personal journey, intertwined with her professional mission at Lifebanc, highlights the profound impact of community support and the beauty of transformation that organ donation can bring to those in need.

Through her leadership, McKenzie hopes to inspire others and expand awareness around the importance of organ donation, continuing a legacy of giving that resonates deeply with her own experiences.