Mary Lee Lord – 1995* Award Recipient
Deceased

Susan Bondy – 1996 Award Recipient
Email: bondysusan@gmail.com

Bio Coming Soon

Jayne Mohr – 1997 Award Recipient
Email: mohrja@tcaps.net

Bio Coming Soon

Marsha Smith – 1998 Recipient
Email: msmith@rotarycharities.org

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? Executive Director of Rotary Charities

What is your philosophy for life? I try to base my life and my actions around a grateful heart, a spirit of service, an outlook of hope and good sense of humor.

What keeps you young? Being around young people and exercising the mind, soul and body.

What gets you high (excited, feeling great- the passion that keeps you going)? I am passionate about many things, after my family and friends, it would be the environment, education, the arts, children’s welfare and access to recreational opportunities for everyone.

What community activities/organizations/ groups deserve and get your time? Recently, I have been most actively engaged in activities that focus on citizen involvement and take a multi-pronged approach to community based solutions, like the Grand Vision. I am also committed to community and national service and sit on the Michigan Community Service Commission.

Elaine Wood – 1999 Award Recipient
Email: ewood@nwm.cog.mi.us

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? I started out as a high school English teacher and then switched into human services, management and administration. I have worked at the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments in different capacities (now the Chief Executive Officer) for over 36 years. My career has been devoted to education, business and community development, and helping others reach their greatest potential.

What is your philosophy for life? There’s always more to learn! Always try to put yourself in the other’s shoes to gain the perspective you need to be a good leader, coworker, parent, spouse, neighbor. I try to live the life of a Servant Leader.

What gets you high (excited, feeling great- the passion that keeps you going? I thrive from being involved in transformational change, especially within organizations and communities. Too much “sameness” over time leads to mediocrity and complacency. The world is changing rapidly; what worked well five or ten years ago isn’t necessarily the best way now.

What community activities/organizations/ groups deserve and get your time? I gave 18 years to the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees and still feel very devoted to the college. I have also been involved in other boards such as the Humane Society and United Way, plus devoted many years to church committee work and neighborhood revitalization work. Now I’m dedicated to the Rotary Charities Board and the Munson Healthcare Board. I like to give my time and energy to organizations that add tremendous value to the wellbeing of our community.

Chris Macinnes – 2000 Award Recipient
Email: cmacinnes@crystalmountain.com

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? Resort operator and developer

What is your philosophy for life? Try to leave my campsite a little better than when I arrived and finding reasons to celebrate along the way. Also, I try to take my work seriously and myself lightly.

What keeps you young? Good genes, a healthy lifestyle and laughing everyday.

What gets you high (excited, feeling great- the passion that keeps you going)? Helping people achieve their dream (which sometimes means challenging them to create that dream), developing beautiful places, and playing with friends on ski slopes and trails, golf courses, riding bicycles and swimming in Crystal Lake!

What community activities/organizations/ groups deserve and get your time? Munson Healthcare, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Rotary, Priority Health, Michigan Legacy Art Park

Karen Strom – 2001 Award Recipient
Email: pkstrom@charter.net

Livelihood I was trained as a teacher and taught two years in Ethiopia as a Peace Corps Volunteer.   I spent many years on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and was the first woman to be elected Chair of the Commission.  For the past 18 years I have worked at West Front Primary Care.

Philosophy The higher the climb, the broader the view.  The smallest thing you do can make the biggest differerence to someone else. Think globally, act locally.

What keeps me going The chance to help others.  Volunteering.  I helped start a chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a support group for bereaved parents, and just stepped down as the Group Leader after 10 years.  I am a Hospice Volunteer and also volunteer at Munson Medical Center.  Over the years I have served on boards for mental  health, conflict resolution, the Medical Care Facility (now Pavilions), and the Munson Healthcare Foundation.

Suzanne Voltz – 2002 Award Recipient
Email: frankfort@sleepingbearrealty.com

Janet (Worthington) Bassett – 2003 Award Recipient
Email: jbbassett@charter.net

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? Retired from Healthcare Administration, started as Registered Nurse and was in management for about 25 years then became Owner of a motel, then an apartment complex.

What is your philosophy for life? Enjoy every minute, treat everyone as you want to be treated; and be honest and a friend to all you meet.

What keeps you young? My husband, my kids and grandkids and staying involved in the community.

What gets you high (excited, feeling great- the passion that keeps you going)? Being involved in a variety of things at the same time. Meeting Deadlines and lots of them. I get bored doing one thing at a time.

What community activities/organizations/ groups deserve and get your time? ATHENA Grand Traverse Committee, Elk Rapids Women, Downtown Development Authority, Northern Homes Community Development Corp. (affordable housing board), Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce activities, and consulting on projects for a variety of organizations.

Jan Warren – 2004 Athena Award recipient
What is your career? I am the Program Director for Northwest Michigan Works!, a 10-county agency that provides business services to local employers, collaborates with economic development organizations, provides career development and job search services to youth and adults, and operates adult education programs. I have worked in the field of Workforce Development for over 25 years. Prior to that, I worked in the education and healthcare sectors.

What is your philosophy of life? I feel very blessed to live in a vibrant community, have wonderful friends and many opportunities for personal and professional growth. My philosophy is to give back, both in service to my community and in support of my friends and neighbors, and to do it with integrity, honesty and selflessness.

What keeps you young? A lot of laughter in my life and the opportunity to work closely with talented, creative young adults both on the job and in community activities.

What is the passion that keeps you going? Helping to to make our region a place that attracts business and talented employees, provides the means for workers to upgrade their skills, creates opportunities for disadvantaged adults and youth to succeed, and provides a safety net for individuals, children and families without judgment or blame.

What community activities deserve and get your time? I have been a member of the Traverse City Planning Commission for 17 years, 2 years as the chairperson. I am also a member of the Joint Planning Commission for the Grand Traverse Commons. It has been so gratifying to see the community’s vision for the Commons coming to fruition.

I also am a member of the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. I am proud to serve as President of the Grand Traverse Community Collaborative, comprised of leaders from government, education, human services and healthcare working together to improve the quality of services for adults, families and children and facilitate more immediate access to those services.

I am currently the President of the National Cherry Festival, an event I love and one that brings joy to residents and visitors alike and a boost in revenue for area businesses.

Trish Fiebing – 2005 Award Recipient
Email: fiebingtr@aol.com

Barbara Benson – 2006 Award Recipient
Email: bfbenson@charter.net

Louise Hagerty – 2007 Award Recipient
Email: louise@hagerty.com

Marcia Bellinger – 2008 Award Recipient
Email: belstone@charter.net

What is your career? I have re-invented myself several times. My first degree was business (at that time meant shorthand, typing, filing etc) and I worked as an executive secretary. Then back to school and fifteen years of teaching. Trying retirement. At age sixty created Belstone Gallery and stayed with it for nearly 25 years.

Philosophy for life – for me, this means knowing when to move on.

What keeps you young? If it seems I stay young, this would be due to my children and grandchildren as well as staying involved and continueing to learn.

What is the passion that keeps you going? I get excited about a good book, a good golf shot and anything involving art.

What community activities deserve and get your time? I have been on the downtown T.C. Ass’n Board, my church board, the Women’s Resource Center Board, Old Town Playhouse Board, as well as many committees. I am a qualified volunteer mediator, and am a docent at the Dennos Museum.

At this time most of my time and energy goes to the Dennos Museum as well as my volunteer work at the Women’s Resource Center Thrift Shop and the Art in Public Places committee.

Denise Busley – 2009 Award Recipien
Email: Denise@trulyblissed.com

Co-founding the Grand Traverse Pie Company with my husband, Mike, a decade and a half ago followed my career in medical sales that lasted the same period of time. Through these experiences I have learned that focusing on what is wonderful about those around me serves to foster greater human connection, and in turn, without fail, produces wonderful results. To act with kindness and respect manifests a life of joy and abundance. Each and every day I see the earth from the perspective of that iconic photograph from space; the beautiful pale blue dot. It keeps me constantly focused on the realization that this life, and all that lives on this planet, is a blessing. Our very existence is a living miracle and we are connected and dependent on all that resides here. What each of us does with our life and our Love truly matters, and I aspire with each breath I take to act accordingly; to celebrate all who choose to act with kindness and to encourage those who struggle to find their way back to Love.

I am driven to help heal the world through our children. Protecting, nurturing and helping give voice to their vulnerable lives will guide them to do the same for the next generation, and the next, and the next…; building a life that is focused on the greater good…one that is connected through Love and the understanding that we manifest a beautiful world through not just our actions, but our thoughts and our words.

Sue Peters – 2010 Award Recipient
Email: speters@mhc.net

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? Human Resources – It’s an area I enjoy and one where I feel I can make a positive difference in the lives of people and in the work of the organization. Being able to recruit the right people, create an environment where people can use and develop their talents to help an organization achieve its goals – this is what I like to do.

What is your philosophy for life? Give fully of yourself, treat people with respect, keep learning, do something good for the world,. . . .these are all important to me.

What keeps you young? Exercise is a big part of my life – I’ve been running, hiking, biking and kayaking for many years. Over a year ago I added yoga to the mix and really enjoy it. I dabble with technology/photography. I’m also fortunate to work with an energetic, talented HR team and we are always working to find new and better ways to do our work.

What gets you high (excited, feeling great- the passion that keeps you going)? What really energizes me is making a positive difference and doing important work. One of the projects I’m most proud of is the establishment of the onsite daycare center at Munson. It’s been in existence for over 20 years, in large part because of the foresight and support of Ralph Cerny. It’s been a difference maker in the lives of a lot of families associated with Munson and I have no doubt it’s also made Munson a better organization.

What community activities/organizations/ groups deserve and get your time? I’ve always had an interest in children, the elderly and the environment. I spent a number of years as a Big Sister; I still have an essay that my Little Sister wrote in my office today. I currently serve on the Workforce Development Board and the Conservation Resource Alliance Board. I’ve spent time developing the Pelizzari Natural area, one of the area’s nicest walking/running trails. I have a number of elderly neighbors, including my mother-in-law, and I enjoy spending time with them and lending a hand when I can.

Kathleen Guy – 2011 Award Recipient
Email: katguy@chartermi.net

What is/was your livelihood/career/professional? 33 years in higher education administration (fundraising, marketing, PR, media relations, government relations) for community colleges, University teaching (leadership, fundraising). Consultant to nonprofit organizations in strategic planning, fundraising, executive and volunteer coaching.

What is your philosophy for life? To quote my Mother, “Look out, not in, forward, not back; up, not down; and lend a hand.”

What keeps you young? My daughters, humor, my family gene pool, exercise, lifelong learning and an ambitious list of personal and career interests yet to be pursued!