Michelle Spreitzer is in her sixth year of Women’s Impact Fund (WIF) membership and she is clear on why she first joined and why she now stays – it’s all about giving back. Michelle grew up in a family with parents “who were always giving,” and she has built upon that foundation throughout her life. When she began her career with North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) in the late 1980s, she was fortunate to be part of an organization that encouraged civic engagement. It allowed her an opportunity to dive into community work. As her professional career progressed, she then made an intentional move into the non-profit sector. She notes, “It felt like the right thing for me to do. Since I began in this field 12 years ago, I have never looked back. Getting to do something good for others is what motivates me daily.”
Within WIF, Michelle has primarily served on the Grants Committee, and in doing so, focuses her efforts and energy on understanding the issues facing our community and learning more about area nonprofits. Ultimately, Michelle and her fellow committee members vet the applications received each year for WIF funding and determine and present a final ballot to the membership for its vote. Their work carefully considers applications in each of WIF’s focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services.
In addition to the great work being done in the broader Charlotte community, Michelle also appreciates the value of the internal WIF community. “It has been a lovely experience making new friends with a similar desire to help others and seeing firsthand all the wonderful work being done by so many organizations,” she says. For other WIF members, Michelle’s encouragement is to find something that feels right in terms of how you choose to give back. “The great news is that YOU have the choice for the level of your involvement within WIF. If you serve on a committee every year, if you volunteer at a single event, or if your contribution is focused solely on financial support, you can be sure you are part of something bigger than yourself and are making a positive difference in Charlotte,” she notes. Michelle has enjoyed a career spanning more than three decades including work in both the for-profit & nonprofit sectors, and it is likely her legacy will include the many lives she has touched and the good works she has helped lead.
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