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ABOUT US

Michelle Bottrall

founder & creative director

Founder Michelle Bottrall enjoys using her creative expertise and breadth of experience to create philanthropic partnerships and events that are known for their impact. Strategy, creative thinking and intimate knowledge of the West Michigan area are her strong suits. 

 

Michelle has her bachelor's degree from Aquinas College and has her master's in nonprofit administration from Grand Valley State University.  With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the local nonprofit field, she is known for taking organizations to the next level. 

 

She was the head of the Cascade Community Foundation and worked with board members and donors to create strategy and build endowment and special project funds. The endowment grew by almost 300% during her time there.  She has been chair or member of multiple area boards and committees and worked as the Director of Philanthropy for Meals on Wheels growing their annual fund from $200,000 to just under $1 Million in her first year. 

 

She has been the creative edge behind successful area events and fundraisers like:

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  • 125th Anniversary Celebrations for Wawashkamo Golf Club including the Wawa Fling, Family Goofy Golf, PGA Pro Exhibition Game, Celebration Cocktail Party

  • 2022 - 2024 Michilimackinac Historical Society Bridging History Celebration

  • American Red Cross Hometown Heroes & Board Strategic Planning

  • American Red Cross-National Tiffany Circle Strategic Planning

  • Aquinas College Alumni Awards Event, Homecoming, Annual Auction, Evening of Elegance, Presidents Dinner & Wege Golf Event Chair

  • Cascade Community Foundation Iron Chef, Airport Viewing Park Campaign, Life Preserver Events, Luncheons,  RiverBeat Concert Series, Tributes & Triumphs - Committee Planning

  • Equine Assisted Development Unity in Community, Pamper the Ponies Spa Day, Pony Baby Shower, Koetsier Green House Visit

  • Metro Cruise Warm Up

  • Meals On Wheels West Michigan Hybrid Chef Specialty & Wheelie Great Drive

  • Retrouvaille Regional Events, Workshops, Monthly Support Meetings, Strategic Planning

  • Special Olympics Christmas Tree Auctions

  • "What is Philanthropy" Fundraiser

  • Women Republicans Fashion Show

  • Young Republicans Event – Host

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AFFILIATIONS & AWARDS ​

  • 2010-2024 Board Member and Co-Chair Retrouvaille Grand Rapids

  • 2016-2018 Board Chair American Red Cross Greater Grand Rapids

  • 2013 Clara Barton Humanitarian of the Year Greater Grand Rapids Red Cross

  • 2011-2021 Bonnie McElveen-Hunter member of The Tiffany Circle, a national society of women leaders and philanthropists who are passionate about the mission of the Red Cross

  • 2007-2015 Board Chair Cascade Community Foundation

  • 2005 Aquinas College Alumni Board Member of the Year. 

  • 2000-2013 Aquinas College Alumni Board & Annual Fund Committee Member

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Image by Nikita Tikhomirov
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Distinctive events that make an impact

B OUR GUEST is not your usual event company. With more than 20 years of creating and implementing profitable, unique events, we know how to make an impact. We bring you smart planning strategies, pragmatic creativity, proven systems and thorough attention to detail. Masters at creativity and experts at logistics, we aim for efficient and seamless execution which drives our mantra, "Exceeding Expectations."

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