Pasquali named CEO of MPACF
Community Foundation cites background to ‘propel’ initiatives, community forward
With a strong background in fundraising, marketing and nonprofit organizations, Alysha Pasquali has been named Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.
In this role, Pasquali will lead the Foundation in its continued growth as a focal point in local philanthropy and catalyst for positive impact on all citizens of Isabella County.
“Alysha has the expertise, relationships and passion for supporting others that are needed to propel the Foundation and community forward,” MPACF Board President Marcie Otteman said. “She is a smart, energetic and engaging leader who brings people together to build momentum.”
Pasquali has been director of strategic philanthropy at WCMU Public Media since 2016. She also has been director of development for Central Michigan University libraries and College of Business Administration, and assistant director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund. She has worked for Bolger and Battle Marketing Communications in Midland and Midland Center for the Arts.
“Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County and the surrounding area have shaped who I am and allowed me to grow since I was in high school,” Pasquali said. “Many opportunities have been given to me, and I can’t wait to create and expand opportunities for others, so they, too, can grow in their own unique ways.
“I love to have conversations with people about the impact they want to create. I love to hear their ideas and then help make them happen,” she said. “People tell me I’m open, genu
ine and trustworthy — traits that will be easy to share because I believe so much in the Foundation, its donors, staff and board, and our community and residents.”
She has been well aware of the Foundation as her father, Jay Anders, retired CEO of Isabella Community Credit Union, served on its Board of Trustees. She and her husband, attorney Mark Pasquali, are donors to the Foundation.
“We both believe in giving back. Mark has a caring heart and focuses his practice on the elderly members of our community and the issues they face as they age. This is who we are.”
Most recently, the couple paid off lunch balances for students in Mt. Pleasant schools and in L’anse, in the Upper Peninsula, where Mark originally is from. Alysha has been president of the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant and received the Eagle Award from the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce in 2021. Mark is president of the Isabella County Bar Association.
Pasquali, three staff members and a 25-member Board of Trustees collaborate to support the establishment and use of permanently endowed funds from individual, business and organizational donors. The Foundation uses investment earnings from more than 300 funds — a number that grows annually — to address local needs through grant making. It also partners with other organizations to provide leadership on key community issues.
In 2022, MPACF awarded more than $1.1 million in grants and scholarships.
Pasquali will be the Foundation’s sixth leader since it was formed 33 years ago, in 1990. She replaces Amanda Schafer, who stepped down from the CEO/COO position in November after leading the Foundation for 13 years.
“Alysha cares deeply about people and the community,” said Interim CEO Bob Wheeler, who was one of the founding members of the Foundation. “She is a great fit for carrying on the legacy of the Foundation and forging a tremendous future for it. I am delighted and totally confident to be leaving it in her hands.”
In addition to being active throughout the community, Alysha and Mark Pasquali are proud parents of a dog named Winston, aka Peanut, and two cats: Lidia Bastianich, named after the Italian-american celebrity TV chef, and Aldena Frankalucci, named after Mark’s great aunt.