Meet the Staff
David ‘DJ’ Jones
Executive Director
David Jones “DJ” has been with the Community Foundation since 2000. He served as the program officer from 2000 to 2009 and began his role as executive director in June 2009. DJ has a BA degree in International Studies from the University of South Carolina and in 2007 he received his MBA from Lawrence Technological University through the University Center at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey. He is a member and past-president of the Kiwanis Club of Petoskey. In 2001, he completed the Leadership Little Traverse program and later served in its steering committee. DJ lives in Petoskey with his wife, Patricia “T”, and their two daughters.
Laurissa Wendland
Director of Finance and Operations
Laurie joined the Community Foundation in 1996 as a part-time administrative assistant (and only the second employee of the foundation). Laurie is our Director of Finance and Operations and in her years has seen significant growth not only in the foundation’s assets but also in its community impact. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alma College. Laurie lives in Harbor Springs and enjoys spending time with her granddaughter.
Sarah Ford
Director of Community Philanthropy
Sarah joined the Community Foundation in 2016. Sarah is an experienced nonprofit professional who worked with statewide nonprofit membership organizations prior to joining the philanthropic sector. Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Montana State University and a Master’s of Public Administration – Nonprofit Leadership from Western Michigan University. She is a graduate of Leadership Little Traverse and serves on the board of the Zonta Club of Petoskey. In her free time, you’ll find Sarah enjoying all that northern Michigan has to offer with her husband and two children. Sarah lives in Harbor Springs.
Mary Cummings
Communications Officer
Mary joined the Community Foundation in March 2019. Born and raised in Harbor Springs, Mary brings over ten years experience in nonprofit management as well as a background in writing, photography and design. She holds a BA from the University of Michigan, graduated from the Leadership Little Traverse (LLT) program in 2001 and served a number of years on the LLT steering committee. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside enjoying our area’s amazing trails, paths, preserves and waterways, usually with a camera in hand. Mary lives in Harbor Springs.
Loriel Grigsby
Program and Accounting Associate
Loriel joined the Community Foundation in April 2021. Raised in northern Michigan, Loriel brings a broad work background to her role at the Community Foundation and is currently studying for her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Organizational Leadership from Central Michigan University. Loriel is a graduate of Leadership Little Traverse 2023, a member of Petoskey Sunrise Rotary, and a Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce ambassador. Loriel lives in Oden with her daughter and husband.
Jake Myers
Community Philanthropy Officer
Jake joined the Community Foundation in April 2023. Most recently Jake served as a planning and zoning consultant with Beckett & Raeder, Inc. in their Petoskey office, working with numerous municipalities within Emmet County. Myers grew up in Traverse City and, after graduating from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in history, returned to northern Michigan. In his free time, Myers plays drums and stays connected with the northern Michigan music scene (often at Beards’ open mic night). He also enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking, Nordic skiing and hiking.
Board and Committees
2023-24 Board of Directors
Dedicated directors provide the structure the Community Foundation needs to maintain a healthy balance. Their commitment to supporting worthy causes and fulfilling the trust put in them means more organizations can be supported and more needs met.
James W. Ford, President
Dana F. Andrews, Vice President
Steven L. Boeckman, Secretary
Melissa A. Nguyen, Treasurer
Jennifer H. Attie
David H. Deal
Kathryn S. Erber
Courtney M. Font
William K. Henagan
Robert E. Keedy
Janet M. Mancinelli
Devin D. Marvin
Emerson J. Meyer
Mary E. Rapin
Sarah L. Shuman
Advisory Committees
Throughout the year, directors and other volunteers ably serve on our advisory committees, sharing their talents, knowledge, and abilities. We appreciate their time and effort!
Executive
Dana Andrews
Steven Boeckman
Kathryn Erber
James Ford, Chair
Melissa Nguyen
Nominating
Dana Andrews, Chair
Jennifer Attie
Jennifer Deegan
James Ford
Maureen Nicholson
James Ramer
Development and Marketing
Charles Gano
Susan Howbert
Virginia McCoy
William Meengs Jr.
Emerson Meyer
James Schroeder
Sarah Shuman
Grant Distribution
Jennifer Attie, Chair
Steven Boeckman
Carla Crockett
Steve Cross
Will Henagan
Doug Larson
Robert Keedy
Sarah Shuman
Finance
Steven Boeckman
Daniel Clarke
John Fought
Janet Mancinelli
Melissa Nguyen, Chair
Eeva Redmond
Todd Winnell
Investment
Dana Andrews
David Deal
Courtney Font
Emerson Meyer, Chair
Maureen Nicholson
Jeffrey Shepard
Trent Stark
Scholarship
Robert Keedy
Maggie Kloss
Mary Rapin
Glen Young
Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration
Jennifer Attie
Frank Ettawageshik
James Ford
Doug Larson
Community Impact Committee
Daniel Clarke
Jennifer Deegan
James Ford
Janet Mancinelli
Emerson Meyer, Chair
Sarah Shuman
Todd Winnell