Community leaders to receive Bay Area Community Foundation’s highest honor

The Bay Area Community Foundation will honor two remarkable community leaders whose lives reflect a legacy of generosity, volunteerism, and civic leadership during the 2026 Faces of Philanthropy Celebration.

During the biennial event, Ellen Charlebois and Michael Hanisko will receive the Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award, the Foundation’s highest recognition honoring individuals whose commitment to serving others has strengthened the Bay County community.

Named in honor of Peggy Rowley, one of the founding visionaries of the Bay Area Community Foundation, the award celebrates those who embody her lifelong belief that communities flourish when people invest their time, talent, and resources to improve the lives of others. Rowley helped establish the Foundation in 1982, championed philanthropy throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, and was a passionate advocate for the arts, culture, and community enrichment. Her legacy continues through the award that bears her name and recognizes individuals whose leadership creates lasting impact.

Faces of Philanthropy is the signature event of the Bay Area Community Foundation that celebrates the individuals, families, and organizations whose generosity and leadership help create a stronger Bay and Arenac County community. The event recognizes the many ways philanthropy extends beyond financial contributions, from volunteering and advocacy to mentorship and service, and honors those who dedicate their time and talents to make a lasting difference.

“Philanthropy is built by people whose choose to show up for their communities in meaningful ways,” says Shawna Walraven, President and CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation. “The Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award represents the very best of that spirit. Ellen and Michael have each spent decades investing in others, strengthening organizations, and inspiring future generations of community leaders. Their impact can be seen throughout our region, and we are honored to celebrate their incredible contributions.”

Ellen Charlebois

For more than three decades, Ellen Charlebois has combined thoughtful leadership with a passion for strengthening Northern Bay County through community development, the arts, and nonprofit service.

Following a career that culminated as founding member and senior partner of Infusion Group, LLC., Charlebois retired in 2022 after helping organizations navigate strategic growth and organizational change. Her professional path began in a variety of roles before joining Magline, Inc., where she advanced from temporary Accounts Payable Clerk to Director of Human Resources. It was during her time at Magline that she first became involved with the Northern Bay County Fund, an organization she continues to champion today.

Charlebois currently serves as Chair of the Northern Bay County Fund Committee within the Bay Area Community Foundation, President of the Pinconning Arts Council, Treasurer of the Friends of the Pinconning Community Center, a member of the Leslie L. Squires Foundation Board, and Chair of the Bay Area Community Foundation Governance Committee.

Among her many accomplishments, Charlebois has helped establish beloved community traditions, including the free “Tuesdays in the Park” summer concert series, led the creation of the Pinconning Bandshell, contributed to the publication of Pinconning Yesterday & Today, and helped oversee the transformation of the historic Pinconning Community Center into a fully accessible gathering place for the community.

Her services have been recognized with the Pinconning & Linwood Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award, the Rotary Club of Pinconning & Standish Paul Harris Fellow Award, and multiple Chamber President’s and Arts & Heritage Awards.

An advocate for the arts, Charlebois believes creative experiences have the power to bring people together, foster understanding, and strengthen communities. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, painting, reading, and birding.

Michael Hanisko

A longtime Bay County resident and Certified Public Accountant, Michael Hanisko has built a career rooted in both professional excellence and community service. After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in accounting, he joined Weinlander Fitzhugh in 1984, became a partner in 1995, and served in numerous leadership roles before retiring from firm ownership in 2024. Today, he continues to work part-time while serving the Board of Directors of 1st State Bank.

Throughout his career, Hanisko embraced the belief that success carries with it a responsibility to serve others. His leadership has benefited organizations including the Bay Area Community Foundation, Morning Rotary Club of Bay City, United Way of Bay County, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Delta College Foundation, The Kantzler Foundation, and many others. While Michael is not often the “face” of a project or initiative, our community has benefited from his thoughtful guidance, leadership, and perseverance in many ways. He is truly a selfless and giving community volunteer.

His community involvement has earned numerous recognitions, including the Leadership Bay County Alumni Community Service Award, the United Way Distinguished Service Award, and induction into the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.

Outside of his professional and volunteer life, Hanisko is an avid endurance athlete. He has completed multiple marathons, four Ironman triathlons, a 50-mile ultra-trail face, and participated in Make-A-Wish cycling events that raised thousands of dollars for children with critical illnesses. Alongside his wife, Sheila, he also enjoys hiking, biking, pickleball, golf, and spending time with their growing family of six grandchildren.

Event details

The community is invited to attend the Faces of Philanthropy Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bay City at Riverfront, 1 Wenonah Park Place.

The evening will include a social hour, dinner and an awards program recognizing this year’s honorees.

General admission tickets are $75. Sponsorships ranging from $250 to $1,000 are also available and include benefits such as event tickets, reserved seating and recognition during the program.

For tickets or additional information, visit the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Facebook page.