Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the youngest of three children born to incredible parents. They raised us with faith as the center of our family, and my faith in Jesus continues to be part of me and the fabric of my life. Mike and I have been married for 26 years. We were engaged in three months and married in one year. As his mom said, “When you know, you know.” I love being a mom, and Brady, Mac, and Gus continue to amaze me as brothers and all-around wonderful sons. As a family sheltered in place in March 2020 with two college-aged sons and an 11-year-old son, we discovered how much we love spending time together.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am the executive director/CEO for Michael’s Place, a nonprofit organization located in Traverse City that provides innovative and compassionate grief-support for children, adults, schools, and workplaces. Michael’s Place has an amazing staff and team of volunteers. I truly enjoy strategic planning and meeting with donors and community partners. Every person who comes to Michael’s Place becomes part of our Michael’s Place family and remains incredibly important to me. Each story shared by our grieving families about their loss has allowed me to learn about a life lived and dearly missed. What I love the most about Michael’s Place is giving witness to the strength of the human spirit.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Thai Café, Amical, and Sorellina are a few of my favorites! However, my most favorite place to eat is at home. My husband grew up working in his family’s restaurants and he and his father are the best chefs EVER!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? What brought you to Grand Traverse County?
I met my husband in graduate school. Born and raised in Ohio and very close with my family, I had zero plans to move. However, the moment I visited Traverse City, I fell in love with its beauty and with the community. It took us a few years, but we were finally able to move here 22 years ago when Mike accepted the position of Superintendent of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Chris Dennos is the most interesting. She is the founder of Michael’s Place, an active listener to all she meets, my mentor, and my friend.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Ireland, Scotland, and Greece are all on my travel bucket list for their beauty, culture, and ancestry.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movies include Shawshank Redemption, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Peanut Butter Falcon. My favorite TV shows are Stranger Things and Law and Order.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to visit our community?
Be present, in the moment, and soak in the beautiful surroundings. Visit the beaches, and ask the locals to share the locations of the hidden gems that are off the beaten path. Please, don’t litter.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
My bucket list includes writing a book, taking as many family vacations as possible, and experiencing our sons having families of their own.

Q: What current or former local business makes you feel the most nostalgic about our community?
My mother and father-in-law, Karen and Jerry Buell, owned Blondie’s Diner at Chum’s Corners. Blondie’s had the best food and atmosphere. It was a place where we gathered with family and friends and enjoyed the simple things of life. The restaurant closed in 1999 but holds wonderful memories.

Q: If you could choose anyone today with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you all meet for this lunch?*
I would choose to have lunch with Mike Ascione, and we would spend hours at Mode’s laughing and sharing stories. Mike had an extremely rare quality of focusing solely on you and making you feel like you were the most important person in the world in that moment. He is dearly missed.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Our children are 4th generation Traverse City natives and 4th generation students at the Grand Traverse Area Schools. Our community is blessed with a school system rich in history and academic excellence. St. Francis High School has been three-times recognized as a “Top 50 Catholic High School” in the country. The new Immaculate Conception Elementary School building was opened in 2019. I recommend taking a tour of the beautiful, new school and most especially, bringing children to play on the fabulous playground.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I will be rounding out my career or starting a second career, going on tour with my book that I plan to write, and traveling on the speaking circuit sharing stories of the strength of the human spirit.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
The year I was turning 50, I needed a goal to mark the momentous occasion and decided I was going to “train” to do a backbend. I watched a woman do one during a Bikram yoga class, and I wanted to be that flexible. That never happened. Instead, I marked my 50th birthday by giving a TEDx Talk. Preparing for the talk pushed me in ways I never thought possible. As someone who had historically struggled with public speaking, I had to fight my natural instincts of running off the stage. I needed to get past the self-doubt and choose to believe I had a story worth sharing. It was one of the most difficult and best experiences of my life.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The most beautiful place I have ever been is on a boat in Lake Leelanau or West Bay with my family.

Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is July and favorite holiday is Christmas. My best single day on the calendar is my birthday.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am grateful to have many people who inspire me to be better. They include my husband, my children, my parents and in-laws, the Michael’s Place board and staff, and my dear friends.

Q: What is your favorite season in Northern Michigan? And what is your favorite activity to do in those seasons?
My favorite season is summer and I love enjoying our beautiful water at a beach or on a boat. It is my bliss.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family Lakes and Beaches Laughter and Love