Community Foundation Welcomes Mercedes Michalowski as New Donor Engagement Director

[Image description: Head shot of Mercedes who is smiling, has purple-brown hair, and is wearing rectangular eyeglasses.]

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation will soon welcome Mercedes Michalowski as its new Donor Engagement Director. Michalowski is coming to the Community Foundation from Oliver Art Center (OAC), where she has served in a leadership role for nearly 10 years, including as its Executive Director since 2015.

“It has been my honor to serve as Executive Director for such an amazing organization. OAC has been the cornerstone of my career thus far and I can attribute much of my success to my time there,” said Michalowski, incoming Donor Engagement Director at the Community Foundation. "I look forward to bringing the experiences I had at OAC with me to the Community Foundation, an organization that I’ve long admired. I can’t wait to be part of the Foundation’s team and work alongside them to make a positive impact across our region.”

Michalowski was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in West Michigan. She holds a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from University of Oklahoma. Michalowski has worked in the museum/non-profit field for 25 years, severing several different organizations across the Midwest, including the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia, and the OZ Museum. She recently completed her certificate in Fundraising Management from Lilly School of Indiana University and was selected as one of Traverse City Business News’ 40 Under 40 Influential Leaders in 2018 and named one of Northwest Michigan’s Most Influential Women in 2021. Michalowski also serves as Vice-President for the Benzie Chamber of Commerce as well as past-President for the Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mercedes to the Community Foundation team,” said Alison Metiva, Chief Operating Officer. “Her talents and experiences will bring value to our relationships with donor partners and the work we do together to build long-term assets to benefit healthy, resilient, and thriving communities for all across our region.”