Chief Executive Officer

Cecilia Chesney

A 38-year resident of Traverse City, Cecilia Chesney joined Bigs in August 2010 after 25 years in Communications/Public Relations, Sales & Marketing and, most importantly,  Motherhood. 

Cecilia is driven by a strong sense of purpose and value that inspires and motivates others. She is focused on achieving goals, and more importantly, on making a positive impact and contribution to something bigger than herself.  Cecilia operates with a clear sense of emotional intelligence and can articulate a compelling vision that resonates with others and motivates them to pursue shared goals. 

Cecilia has truly transformed Bigs with her compassionate leadership. By revamping our program and service delivery model, she’s empowered a dedicated team focused on the success of our youth. Her strategic financial planning has not only built a robust portfolio but also ensured a brighter future for the children we serve. 

Cecilia has built a culture of understanding and acceptance, creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters a culture of collaboration and empowers others to take ownership and make meaningful contributions. She has high standards for herself and others, striving for excellence and making a positive impact.  

With a remarkable 49% increase in the number of children served, Cecilia is committed to nurture this growth in the years to come. Her vision and dedication are making a profound difference in our community. 

Director of Mentoring

Sarah Payette

Joining Team Bigs just felt right for Sarah Payette, whose entire career has centered around helping young people and families find their footing and flourish. Over the years, Sarah has directed overnight camps, served as a middle school administrator, and led nonprofit programs supporting everyone from at-risk youth to teen parents and families facing tough challenges. No matter the setting, her favorite work has always been walking alongside parents as they navigate the highs and lows of raising kids—and helping young people build strong, lasting connections within their communities. Sarah is convinced that real, lasting change happens through meaningful relationships—one connection at a time.

Collaboration is at the heart of Sarah’s leadership style. She’s developed a reputation for bringing people together around a shared vision and following through with thoughtful execution. At Greenspire, where project-based learning required teachers to blend disciplines and create engaging, cross-curricular experiences, Sarah saw just how important genuine buy-in, active listening, and clear communication are for meeting everyone’s needs—students, teachers, and families alike. Her understanding of youth isn’t just professional; it’s deeply personal, shaped by raising four kids of her own, working in middle schools, and supporting teen parents. As an assistant principal, she found special meaning in coaching parents through the turbulent tween years.

Sarah has worn a lot of hats at Greenspire, stepping in as interim principal and superintendent during the early days of COVID, when policies had to adapt overnight. More recently, as Program Director at Generations Ahead, she’s written policies for a growing nonprofit and designed programs that bring people together—initiatives that have steadily grown, thanks to her knack for leveraging volunteers and grant funding. And as a current Big mentor, Sarah sees firsthand the difference BBBS volunteers make in the lives of young people.

Outside of work, Sarah tries to live her values: gathering people, staying active, and sharing good meals with family and friends. She’s called Traverse City home for more than 25 years, and is the proud mom of four young adults who are slowly scattering across the country. She’s grateful every day for a truly one-of-a-kind spouse, and for the company of what she’s pretty sure is the best-looking cat in Traverse City—a cat who continues to meow, inexplicably, just for the joy of it.

Director of Operations

Kris Hoxie

A Northern Michigan native, Kris has always been passionate about uplifting others. With a strong background in Sales & Marketing Coordination and event design, she joined our team in 2014, bringing creativity and insight to amplify our mission. Kris was inspired to be a part of our organization after hearing the transformative stories of children in our program, and as a proud Big Sister, she has witnessed the profound impact that positive role models can have on a child’s life. 

Kris is committed to expanding our reach and ensuring that even more children benefit from mentorship. She feels incredibly grateful to work alongside a dedicated team that is making a real difference in the world—it’s not just a job for Kris; it’s a fulfilling journey of inspiration and hope. 

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 a Little Sister named Liz. Today Christie and Liz remain friends, and though 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 three children, Lucas, Isla and Gwenith. 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 and has spent most of her career in family support.  Prior to working with Bigs, she was the Director of Early Childhood Programs at Suttons Bay Schools, taught preschool at the Leelanau Children’s Center, and worked at a local funeral home helping families navigate the loss of a loved one.  She was identified as an emerging leader by the Center for the Study of Social Policy and helped with the development of the Strengthening Families Framework.  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. 

Mentoring Specialist

Brooke Stebner

Brooke joined Team Bigs as a Mentoring Specialist in 2022. In this role, Brooke creates & supports Big & Little matches and continues to help them build a bond that will last a lifetime! Brooke also serves as our Enrollment Coordinator handling inquiries, orientations, reference and background checks to ensure the safety of our children. 

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 so 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 a mama to two amazing kiddos and married to a wonderfully supportive husband. 

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

Tony Colombo

Tony joined Team Bigs as a Mentoring Specialist in 2025 and is thrilled to work with a dedicated, caring, and upbeat group. He has lived and worked in northern Michigan most of his life and has always felt a call to help and support people no matter where they are in life.  Tony believes that we all have a responsibility to look out for each other, especially our children; and that strong, vibrant communities are built by creating personal networks and thoughtful support systems.

After attending Grand Valley State University, where he pursued a degree in Social Studies and Elementary Education, he worked for nearly ten years at The Children’s House Montessori School. Following that, he spent five years helping run a local winery where he oversaw sales, distribution and production management.  Both roles were very different, but the success of each relied on creating and maintaining genuine relationships and deliberate lines of communication.

“I am really looking forward to engaging with our area’s youth again.  All kids deserve to feel safe, be heard and supported.  They should all be given the best possible opportunities to grow and learn and reach their full potential.  This work is rooted in creating and maintaining thoughtful relationships that foster trust, confidence, and personal growth and I am excited to be a part of it,” said Tony.

Tony feels grateful to call this beautiful area home and relishes all the opportunities it offers for exploration, introspective wonder and nature-based fun.  He is ready to bring his upbeat energy, patient demeanor and kind heart to Team Bigs.

Mentoring Specialist

Alex Fichera

Alex Fichera joined our team as a Mentoring Specialist in Emmet County in 2024. In her new role, Alex will create and support mentoring relationships between children and caring, adult mentors to help them build a bond that will last a lifetime.

A native of Northern Michigan, Alex brings a deep-seated passion for helping children and a diverse background in education, having taught in both Germany and Japan before returning to her roots. After earning her degree in elementary education and English from the University of Michigan, she spent nine transformative years at an international school in northern Germany, where she taught various grades and subjects while leading her school’s accreditation process. Most recently, Alex taught in the Department of Defense schools in Tokyo, focusing on first grade and middle school English and journalism.

Alex has a passion for helping children overcome difficult circumstances and knows firsthand the impact that one caring person can make in the life of a child. One of her favorite quotes is “Every child is ONE caring adult away from being a success story,” by Josh Shipp. Alex looks forward to partnering with the community to support matches and witness children reach their full potential. 

Residing in Petoskey with her husband, Anthony, their three children, and two cats, Alex enjoys the beauty of northern Michigan and the changing seasons. With a heart dedicated to service and a commitment to uplifting youth, Alex looks forward to forging new connections and fostering successful mentoring relationships.

Financial Coordinator

Joy Murdock

Joy is a native of Traverse City, she has a B.S. in Business Administration-Public Accounting Major from Michigan Technological University.  After working for local and national CPA firms she obtained an M.S. in Accounting-Taxation from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Many years were spent in Colorado working for a large health insurance company as a tax accountant, and then co-owning publications with her husband.  They still own Practical Ecommerce, an online business publication where Joy is the Controller.

Joy is married to Kerry and they have three wonderful sons who are all married and one grandson.  They enjoy traveling to visit their sons and their families.

Volunteer activities include singing on the worship team at church, and dancing down the street as part of the National Cherry Festival Marching Band.

Joy feels blessed to be a part of a group of professional, competent, and pleasant staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan.

Mentoring Specialist

Taylor Hawkins

Taylor  joined Bigs in March 2026 as a Mentoring Specialist, bringing with him a lifelong passion for helping and serving youth. Originally from lower Michigan, Taylor moved to Traverse City ten years ago and now lives in Kingsley with his wife and their son.

Before joining the Bigs team, Taylor spent nearly nine years as a Big Brother and has been deeply involved in youth-focused activities throughout the community. He has coached basketball at the elementary and middle school levels, co-led several church youth groups, and volunteers with GUSTO—a performing arts nonprofit for children, teens, and young adults directed by his wife.

Taylor enjoys spending time with his family, helping at his church, playing basketball with friends, and taking walks with his energetic yellow lab, Buck. He is grateful to call Northern Michigan home and is excited to continue supporting local youth through mentoring.

Favorite quote: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” – Mr. Rogers

Mentoring Specialist

Christine Enoksen

Coming soon!