Meet Our Team

Our Experienced Staff is Here to Help

We are passionate about the communities we serve and wake up excited to be a part of positive change. We are eager to work with you, to help this area grow and thrive, and we know that our Community Foundation work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support and forward-thinking of our communities. We’re standing alongside you, our donors, leaders, organizations, and visionaries … because we know we are better together.

Diane Mahoney
President and CEO

I serve alongside our board of trustees as a steward of the funds donors have entrusted to us. I enjoy being able to connect people to the causes they care about most.

 Maggie Dwan
Donor Relations & Communications Officer

Taking on the role of donor relations and communications officer allows me to touch on many different levels of the work we do here at BACF.

Maggie Dwan
Aaron Faist
Aaron Faist
Program Officer

I am the program officer that oversees the Youth Advisory Committee, Men’s Philanthropy Group, and our scholarship program.

Sue Jensen
Director of Finance

As director of finance, I manage the Foundation’s financial accounting and work closely with the president and CEO, and BACF’s Stewardship Committee on investments, operations, and forecasting.

Sue Jensen
Rachael Rosas
Rachael Rosas
Administrative Officer

As the administrative officer, I provide support to the Community Foundation by processing gifts, preparing mailings, assembling meeting materials, and maintaining the historic integrity of the Pere Marquette Depot building where the Foundation office is housed.

Madi Syring
Program Officer

As a program associate, I support our scholarship programs and childcare initiative to serve Bay and Arenac counties. I am primarily focused on providing support to local students so that they can continue their education and obtain a post-secondary degree or skilled trades certification. 

Diane Mahoney

989.893.4438 or email below 

President and CEO

I serve alongside our board of trustees as a steward of the fund’s donors have entrusted to us. I enjoy being able to connect people to the causes they care about most. It is my job to foster awareness and understanding of BACF, promote philanthropy in our community, and participate in and support the work of area leaders and agencies to advance our common goals.

I can help you with:

  • Accomplishing the charitable goals of you, your family, your business, or your clients
  • Establishing a fund at the Foundation
  • Building your unique legacy
  • Answering questions about how BACF can help you
  • Exploring how we can build a vibrant community together
  • Understanding community needs and opportunities

Things I do in my free time: On most days, I can be found walking or biking along the Bay County Riverwalk RailTrail. I also love exploring locally owned shops and restaurants.

Maggie Dwan

989.893.4438 or email below 

Donor relations and communications officerMaggie Dwan

Taking on the role of donor relations and communications officer allows me to touch on many different levels of the work we do here at BACF. From communications like newsletters, press releases, invitations, event signage, and social media, I am the woman bringing ideas to life through words and pictures. I am honored to share the stories of amazing individuals in our community and the work we’re doing to make it a better place to live, work, and play.

As for my impact on donor relations, I am the contact for all our donor advised funds. I enjoy working with everyone to ensure their passions are expressed through the gifts they give through BACF. I am open to any conversation on how YOU can make your impact on our community – give me a call!

I am a Bay County resident, in love with our people and community, and I cherish the opportunity to have one-on-one relationships with community members. I am determined to serve Bay and Arenac counties to ensure a bountiful future for generations to come. 

I can help you with:

  • Donor advised funds
  • Business sponsorships
  • Give Local Bay and BACF events
  • The BACF website
  • Our donor portal

Things I do in my free time: You may see me on the trails near Tobico Marsh or walking around Uptown with my boyfriend. I enjoy our community’s many coffee shops and frequent the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.

Aaron Faist

989.893.4438 or email below 

Program OfficerAaron Faist

I am the program officer that oversees the Youth Advisory Committee, Men’s Philanthropy Group, and our scholarship program. I married my college sweetheart Marilee, and we have a son named Ian and a daughter named Morgan.  We also have two dogs, Layla and Sadie.

I can help you with:

  • Completing your FAFSA
  • Finding financial aid for schooling
  • The scholarship application process
  • The Youth Advisory Committee
  • Getting youth volunteers at your event

Favorite part of my job: Knowing we are making a difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s a student who we help with college scholarships or an organization we can give a grant to so they can run their program, I love that I can have a part in helping them achieve their goals.

Sue Jensen

989.893.4438 or email below 

Director of financeSue Jensen

As director of finance, I manage the Foundation’s financial accounting and work closely with the president and CEO, and BACF’s Stewardship Committee on investments, operations, and forecasting.

I can help you with:

  • Making a stock gift
  • Understanding a fund’s spending policy
  • Your questions about our audit or annual reports

Rachael Rosas

989.893.4438 or email below 

Administrative associateRachael Rosas

As the administrative officer, I provide support to the Community Foundation by processing gifts, preparing mailings, assembling meeting materials, and maintaining the historic integrity of the Pere Marquette Depot building where the Foundation office is housed. Prior to working for the Foundation, I graduated with a degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University in 2003 and served as a hospital volunteer coordinator for fifteen years. I enjoy working for a nonprofit where I can make a positive impact in our community.

I can help you with:

  • Questions about the Foundation
  • Making a gift to one of our many funds
  • Updating your contact information so that BACF can stay in touch

Favorite part of my job: I enjoy organizing processes and ensuring that the behind-the-scenes work of the Foundation is running smoothly.

Madi Syring

989.893.4438 or email below 

Program officer

As a program officer at BACF, I am here to support our nonprofit partners in navigating our competitive grant cycles. I work closely with our Bay County Community Partnership Grants, which are available for 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, schools, and churches engaging in secular programs/projects that serve Bay County.

This is a community that I am proud to call home. My passions for historic preservation and restoration, water and land conservation, and enriching arts & culture were all cultivated right here in the heart of Bay City. I graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science – public administration, and a minor in professional, technical, and rhetorical writing. 

I can help you with:

  • Navigating the competitive grants process
  • Determining if your program/project aligns with available funding opportunities 
  • Technical questions related to our online grants portal

Things I do in my free time: Outside of work, my interests include backpacking, film photography, reading, writing, and spending time on and in the Great Lakes.