Professional Staff

Megan Cappel DeWindt, hailing from Grand Blanc, Michigan, has deep roots in northern Michigan as a 5th generation Bay View cottager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Albion College and furthered her education by completing an intensive Masters in Elementary Education program at Roosevelt University in Chicago, earning her elementary teaching certificate.

In 2011, Megan moved from Chicago to Petoskey with her young family. Her journey led her to the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where she assumed various roles, including serving as the organization’s Program Director. In 2020, she was promoted to President, where her leadership was pivotal in spearheading initiatives such as the 50th Anniversary campaign, fostering community collaborations, crafting a COVID rescue plan, shaping the strategic vision, and ensuring the organization’s financial health.

Megan is a graduate of Leadership Little Traverse and Leadership Learning Lab. She actively contributes to her community as a member of Petoskey Noon Rotary and through her past service on the Petoskey Downtown Management Board and the Petoskey Art Commission.

Residing in Petoskey with her husband Daniel and three children, Megan finds great joy in spending time with her family, boating, skiing, exploring new destinations, and indulging in a good book.

Matt Gawenda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Master of Science degree in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago. He met his wife in Chicago, where they raised their two children before relocating to Petoskey to join the Bay View Association.

With a career spanning over two decades, Matt is a seasoned professional in finance and administration. Previously serving as President of Generations College, he has held multiple leadership roles within the organization, demonstrating a solid commitment to institutional advancement, academic excellence, inclusiveness, and community engagement.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, Matt excels in assembling dynamic teams and fostering productive work environments. His leadership has been instrumental in achieving desired outcomes while upholding principles of integrity, transparency, and dedication to success.

Matt’s passion for education and belief in its transformative power drives his desire to contribute to the Bay View Association’s mission. He views this role as an opportunity to leverage his skills and experience to foster growth and success within the community, inspiring and motivating others along the way.

Lori Willingham grew up in eastern Pennsylvania near Allentown. She attended Palm Beach State and South Georgia State College where she received a degree in Business Administration. She also received formal training in Financial Edge at “Blackbaud University” in Charleston, SC. Before relocating to Michigan she lived in Douglas, Georgia with her son and daughter, where she worked for Satilla Regional Library System for over 10 years as the Administrative Assistant. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandson and is hopeful her son will be moving up here as well. Lori also enjoys reading and sewing in her spare time.  

Michelle Hansen grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and attended Creston High School and Aquinas College. Michelle has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. As a cottager, she volunteers for the Bay View Prayer Shawl committee and ushers at Worship service. Michelle loves Bay View, is a lifetime member of Campus Club, enjoys gardening, knitting, and finding Petoskey stones.

Zach Panoff grew up in Petoskey, Michigan and graduated from Petoskey High School. He attended Lawrence Technological University and the University of Iowa, attaining B.S. in Architecture and an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning, respectively. He has previously worked in the planning department for the City of Charlevoix, Michigan, and was an adjunct professor at North Central Michigan College. Zach loves the Petoskey area and all it has to offer, and he spends his free time playing hockey and entertaining his dogs.

Jennifer Cronk grew up in Amarillo, TX.  She attended Amarillo College and received an Associate Degree in Office Administration. She met and married her husband in Amarillo and they soon relocated to northern Michigan where her husband grew up. Jennifer then went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Lake Superior State University. She has worked as an Administrative Assistant at Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club in Harbor Springs, MI for the past five years. Jennifer loves spending time with her family and attending all of her kid’s multiple sporting events.  Jennifer also likes camping and fishing and just enjoying the beautiful northern Michigan outdoors! 

Sean Twomey is the Associate Chautauqua Administrative Coordinator. He moved here 16 years ago from downtown Chicago, where he was pursuing a PhD at UIC’s Program for Writers. While there, he mostly taught composition courses and the writing of fiction and nonfiction prose. Sean never turned in his dissertation, though he did successfully defend it. He has an MFA from The Naropa Institute, now Naropa University, in Writing and Poetics—fiction.  Most recently, you could find Sean ringing up people’s groceries at the Grain Train. He loves to ski and hike with his dog, Floki, the Siberian Velvethead. 

Our Accounts Payable Analyst,  Ed Woelfert came to us from Petoskey Plastics where he spent 11 years with their accounting team, and 4 years with their I.T. team. Originally from the thumb area of Michigan, he graduated from Boyne City High School and Lake Superior State University with a B.S. in General Business and Accounting. He lives in Boyne City with his wife and two children, and enjoys home improvement projects, tinkering with technology, and spending time outdoors on the trail, river or lake in his spare time.