Chief Executive Officer

Cecilia Chesney

A 20+ year resident of Traverse City, Cecilia joined BBBS in late August 2010. Cecilia’s background includes ten years of experience in Communications and Public Relations with the Traverse City Area Public Schools, and most recently in the private sector in Sales and Marketing. “Cecilia’s excellent leadership, strong interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with her past experience makes her a great fit for our organization”, said Tony Anderson, Board President. “I am confident that she will make major contributions to our organization with her ability to build solid, collaborative relationships and respond to changing business and social environments. We’re excited to have her on board”, he said.Since joining the agency, Cecilia has been working with the board and staff in implementing our fund development and marketing plan which was developed in May of 2010. “Greater community awareness of our mission and the work our staff and volunteers do is critical to the success of our program. In order to re-energize our mission, we must work through our fund development and marketing efforts and create the awareness that is necessary for people to see that there is a huge need for mentors and financial support for our programs.” “I am truly honored to be a part of this organization. As the leading agency in our community providing vital one-on-one youth mentoring services, BIGS is uniquely positioned to not only continue providing these services, but to analyze how collaboration with like-minded organizations might benefit our youth and energize our existing program,” said Chesney.

Director of Mentoring

Krista Goldman

Krista Goldman is a Traverse City native and joins the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff after serving the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as its Executive Director for five years. Krista has 25 years of administration experience in the non-profit sector, with leadership experience in the areas of strategic planning, human resources, financial planning, marketing, relationship building, infrastructure strategies and community outreach.

Krista is a volunteer and board member of Child and Family Services of Northwest Michigan and serves on the Board of Directors of Building Bridges with Music, an organization that through music, promotes understanding, tolerance, respect and peace to youth throughout the state of Michigan.

“I am honored to join the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters and serve its mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring mentor relationships. A child’s well-being is of utmost importance to me. I feel a responsibility to take care of the children who may not have the benefits and blessings I had in my youth. Through our work at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we provide enrichment experiences and opportunities to nourish and encourage a child’s growth. Together, we are shaping the future of our children and community,” says Krista.

Krista has three teenage children and resides in Traverse City with her husband Jeff Goldman.

Marketing & Development Specialist

Kris Hoxie

Kris, a Northern Michigan native, has always had a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. With a background in Sales & Marketing Coordination and event design, Kris brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to our program. Since joining the team in 2014, Kris has been instrumental in developing and implementing marketing strategies to help raise awareness and support for our mission.

Driven by a desire to give back, Kris was drawn to our mission by the stories of the children whose lives have been transformed through mentoring. As a Big Sister herself, Kris has seen firsthand the impact that positive role models can have on a child’s life. She is dedicated to using her skills and expertise to help grow our vision and reach even more young people in need.

Working alongside our dedicated team, Kris feels blessed to be part of an organization that is truly making a difference in the world. For Kris, being able to contribute to such a meaningful cause is not just a job, but a fulfilling and inspirational journey that she feels fortunate to be a part o

Administrative Specialist

Anton Teske

Anton joined team Bigs as an Administrative Specialist in November of 2022. In this role, Anton will help support Bigs staff and the Northwestern Michigan Bigs Office. Anton has worked with and supported children in the community in several different ways. He formerly worked at the Grand Traverse County Health Department, Woodland School, and currently at the Munson Pediatric Specialty Clinic for Immunizations. Anton has a broad background in Administrative Support and is very excited to apply that knowledge to support Bigs and its mission.

“I am thrilled to be part of such a fabulous team at Bigs. It is truly inspiring to work with a team that is so passionate about helping children change their lives and support the community in several different ways. Bigs is an amazing organization and I am truly happy and inspired to start my journey with them,” said Anton.

Anton is a native to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in 2013. He is a proud dog dad and loves taking his “puppers” out on hikes in the beautiful countryside of Grand Traverse County. Anton is a fan of the outdoors, reading, music, cooking, spending time with his family and friends, and enjoys film and going to the cinema.anton.teske@bigsupnorth.org

Senior Mentoring Specialist

Christie Ward-Strahan

Christie was hired as a case manager in 2006. This was not her first introduction to Bigs mission however, as prior to that she was a Big Sister for nearly 6 years to one Little Sister named Liz. Today Christie and Liz remain friends, and although miles separate them, they are close in heart.

Christie earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University. During the time she was completing her degree, she had the opportunity to complete an intensive internship with Child and Family Services in Traverse City, working in their Safe Haven program.

With Bigs over the years, Christie’s role adapted to taking on programmatic coordination in Charlevoix and Emmet counties. She is now the Senior Mentoring Specialist with Char/Em as her focus area. She works with both volunteers and families to recruit, train and support matches throughout the two counties.

“I often coin the phrase: “It matters to this one!” One child at a time, one relationship at a time, we have this unique opportunity to support children as they realize their full potential. This changes lives and ripples to change communities.”

Christie resides in Charlevoix, her hometown, with her husband Michael and two children, Lucas and Isla. Together they are on a quest to visit and experience all 50 states. More locally she loves all the seasons and finds joy in the beautiful landscape we call home. Christie can often be found, in her spare time, volunteering at her kids’ elementary school, for the local chamber and various organizations and boards. With her limited green thumb, she enjoys gardening and also has quite the reading list in progress.

Senior Mentoring Specialist

Alison Lantz

Alison joined team Bigs in 2021 before which she was previously the Director of Early Childhood Programs in Suttons Bay, most recently helping families with arrangements for loved ones at a local funeral home. She taught preschool and is a former member of the Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council. Alison has extensive training in Applied Behavioral Analysis which provides great insight as a Mentoring Specialist, as she provides volunteer and child enrollment and match support for community and school-based programs in Grand Traverse County.

“I am thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at Bigs. I truly believe it takes just one caring adult to change a child’s life and am so honored to be able to help support those relationships,” said Alison.

Alison and her husband Ben have 7 children and 2 dogs. She loves spending time with her kids and her beautiful grandchildren and is a diehard Detroit Tigers Fan.

School Liason

Robin Smillie

After 24 years as the General Manager of Garden Goods in Traverse City, Robin has joined Team Bigs as a School Liaison, recruiting more children into our program and providing critical data demonstrating the impact of mentoring. Robin has a passion for creating and nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships and plans to do just that within the Big’s community. As a 20-year TCAPS volunteer, she has created connections and friendships that remain today.

“I am blessed to be a member of the Bigs Team of Northwestern Michigan. I believe that every child deserves to have the resources to be successful and that all children can benefit from a safe, trusting and compassionate relationship with a mentor,” said Robin.

Robin and her husband Dave Cox have called Traverse City their home for 30 years and raised both of their children here.

Mentoring Specialist

Brooke Stebner

Brooke joined team Bigs as a Mentoring Specialist in 2022. In this role, Brooke will create & support Big & Little matches and continue to help them build a bond that will last a lifetime!

Brooke earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University, has worked as a substitute teacher for all grade levels, taught preschool and even taught kindergarten & English in South Korea. Her vast experiences and 20+ years of involvement in the education field allow her to bring a wealth of special skills and talents to her role.

“Knowing that the work I do each day could potentially lead to making even one child’s life better, makes coming to work rewarding. I am thankful every day that I get to work with such an awesome team and am so very excited to be a part of such an amazing program.”

Brooke is mom to two amazing children, Gus & Iris, and married to a wonderful husband, Kenny.

Mentoring Specialist

Theresa Wangeman

With 37 years of experience in education, including teaching special education and serving as a reading specialist, Theresa brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to support children and mentors in our community.

After moving to Traverse City in 2013, she fell in love with the area and has no intention of leaving. Her passion for working with youth led her to become a Big this year, and when the opportunity to join our organization arose, she knew it was meant to be and is grateful for the chance to continue making a difference in the lives of young people during this next chapter of her life.

Inspired by the quote “Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. The goal of resilience isn’t to just survive but thrive” by James Cascio, she is dedicated to helping children thrive in the face of challenges.

Outside of work, Theresa enjoys spending time with her daughter Ella, traveling, and hosting family and friends. Her basset hound Delilah brings joy to her days, even with her old lady complaints.

Mentoring Specialist

Haven Carmichael

Haven Carmichael is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in American Sign Language. A Traverse City native and one of six siblings, Haven’s passion for human services was ignited during her high school years through her work with the Traverse City Disability Network and various volunteer efforts.

Her advocacy journey has spanned diverse demographic groups, including Deaf/Deafblind individuals, older adults, and migrant communities. With hands-on experience as a paraprofessional in the Summer Migrant School Program and as an intern at a children’s advocacy center, Haven is deeply committed to child advocacy, particularly inspired by her recent role as an aunt.

Having benefited from the Bigs program herself as a Little Sister, Haven appreciates the lasting impact of mentorship. “My Big Sister has been integral to my success and has always been family to me,” she shares.

In her personal time, Haven enjoys deepening her American Sign Language skills, exploring local coffee shops, and spending quality moments with her siblings and cousins. She is excited to leverage her experiences to connect with the families served by Bigs, fostering hope and positive change in the lives of children.

Mentoring Specialist

Alex Fichera

Bio coming soon!