Giving Hope Advisory Board Members

Karen Hanchett, Chair

Karen has lived in Canton for over 25 years. She is a retired teacher from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.  Karen joined Giving Hope in March of 2021 after a friend invited her to a Zoom St. Patrick’s Day event. She was looking for a way to be active in her community and impact the lives of others. She is impressed with the ways that Giving Hope focuses their giving on local women and children  and looks forward to being an active participant by serving on the board.

Maureen Visser, Secretary

Maureen Visser joined Giving Hope in 2013 after growing up in Plymouth and then residing in Canton for the past 35 years. She currently serves on the Grants Committee and previously served on the Special Events Committee. Aside from socializing with positive, professional women in the community, the focus of the group's efforts - assisting women and children in need - fits with Maureen’s passions. As a mother to two daughters and a beautiful granddaughter, Maureen values strong female leaders and role models. She is a former P-CCS elementary teacher and also volunteers with the PORCH program. Maureen hopes to see GH become more visible and involved in local events and efforts.

Jackie Jossey, Treasurer

Jackie grew up in Livonia and has lived in the Canton community for 33 years. She has worked full-time in the Commercial Lending space for over 33 years, has three grown sons, and currently has four grandchildren.  As a busy working mom, she loved attending her sons trap shooting, ice hockey, and baseball games. She is passionate about helping women, children, and her community.  Jackie is enthusiastic about mentoring and participates in programs through work, the EMU College of Business, and Women of Tomorrow.  She joined Giving Hope in 2022 at the invitation of her dear friend, Karen Hanchett.  She feels it is a privilege and honor to join the Advisory Board and become Treasurer in 2024.

Sharon Filips, Membership Chair

Sharon is a founding member of Giving Hope, joining the circle in 2007. Presently, she serves as the Membership Chair and has been a member of the Advisory Board since November, 2015. Having served on the Special Events Committee for several years, Sharon enjoys socializing with this exceptional group of women philanthropists and attending the various educational events sponsored by Giving Hope.

Jane Kersjes, Grants Committee Chair

Jane joined Giving Hope in 2018 after attending "Hope Against Human Trafficking" presentation. She has been a Grants Committee member for 2 years helping to determine where grant monies will be distributed. Jane has a keen interest in giving back the many blessings she has been given. She has been involved in many charities by tutoring, helping in pantries, Red Cross, housing, AARP taxes and more. Giving Hope provides another avenue to help those in need, with the emphasis being local organizations. My hope is that women become aware of and hopefully engage in Giving Hope.

Noel Bittinger, Marketing Chair

Noel is a founding member of Giving Hope, joining the circle in 2007. Presently, she serves as the Marketing Chair. She has been serving the community as a Realtor for the past 39 years helping over 4,300 families with real estate. Having been an Engineer she is very detail-oriented and is constantly innovating. Noel loves to coach, teach, mentor and lead. Her life mission is: To glorify God and to serve mankind by loving on others and having great relationships.  

Raeann Neil, Special Events Chair

Raeann is a former elementary teacher, a working mom who later became a stay-at-home/soccer/PTO volunteer mom. She served three years as a mentor mom for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs)  program. Currently, Raeann leads a women's small group at her church as well as volunteering with a number of programs. Encouraging and empowering women & children are very important to Raeann. Looking for opportunities to serve and volunteer in the community, Raeann joined Giving Hope in 2018. She feels very honored to serve and volunteer with women who are actively making a difference in Canton community.

Donna Clack

Donna joined Giving Hope in 2022 after attending a Local Impact Alliance Event at the Village Theater. She is serving on the Grants Committee along with other members reviewing applications from organizations requesting support.  She joined the Advisory Board in 2023.  Donna is also a volunteer for The Salvation Army and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Additionally, she tutored for Plymouth Canton Schools.  “Giving Hope provides me with an opportunity to engage with other individuals who are also interested in assisting women, children and families in our community.”

Katharine Bovitz

Katie has lived in Canton for over 24 years and is a founding member of Giving Hope since its inception in 2006. She was active in early years, serving on the Grants Committee along with coordination and implementation of grant recipient visual media presentations. Katie’s professional background includes over 25 years in the Architectural/Interior Design Industry. She previously served the Canton community through an appointed position as a Planning Commissioner, completing a 6 year term. Katie continues to be very involved in her church, where she has served in numerous leadership roles and volunteer positions. Katie is honored to join the Advisory Board and looks forward to actively serving again. Having two young adult daughters, she hopes to inspire them and other young women by her commitment to making a difference in our community of ‘Women Helping Women.

Lisa Krahel

Lisa, a Canton resident for 25 years, joined Giving Hope in 2021. As a mother of two daughters and former interior designer, she now thrives as a realtor, connecting people with their dream homes. Giving Hope will give her the opportunity to paint hope and empowerment to woman in our community.

Julie Whipple

Julie Whipple has lived in the Plymouth area for 27 years.  She is recently retired from being in the Human Resources field for over 42 years. She and her husband Vic have two grown boys and they are also first-time grandparents to a seven- month old granddaughter, Maya.  . Julie also owns two goats and 16 chickens as well as a lab, Lola.  She loves to garden, paint and looks forward to being a part of the wonderful group Giving Hope.