Krista Goldman is a Traverse City native and joins the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff after serving the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as its Executive Director for five years. Krista has 25 years of administration experience in the non-profit sector, with leadership experience in the areas of strategic planning, human resources, financial planning, marketing, relationship building, infrastructure strategies and community outreach.

Krista is a volunteer and board member of Child and Family Services of Northwest Michigan and serves on the Board of Directors of Building Bridges with Music, an organization that through music, promotes understanding, tolerance, respect and peace to youth throughout the state of Michigan.

“I am honored to join the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters and serve its mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring mentor relationships. A child’s well-being is of utmost importance to me. I feel a responsibility to take care of the children who may not have the benefits and blessings I had in my youth. Through our work at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we provide enrichment experiences and opportunities to nourish and encourage a child’s growth. Together, we are shaping the future of our children and community,” says Krista.

Krista has three teenage children and resides in Traverse City with her husband Jeff Goldman.

Anton joined team Bigs as an Administrative Specialist in November of 2022.  In this role, Anton will help support Bigs staff and the Northwestern Michigan Bigs Office.  Anton has worked with and supported children in the community in several different ways.  He formerly worked at the Grand Traverse County Health Department, Woodland School, and currently at the Munson Pediatric Specialty Clinic for Immunizations.  Anton has a broad background in Administrative Support and is very excited to apply that knowledge to support Bigs and its mission.

“I am thrilled to be part of such a fabulous team at Bigs.  It is truly inspiring to work with a team that is so passionate about helping children change their lives and support the community in several different ways. Bigs is an amazing organization and I am truly happy and inspired to start my journey with them,” said Anton.

Anton is a native to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in 2013. He is a proud dog dad and loves taking his “puppers” out on hikes in the beautiful countryside of Grand Traverse County. Anton is a fan of the outdoors, reading, music, cooking, spending time with his family and friends, and enjoys film and going to the cinema.

Jenny joined team Bigs as the Advocacy Specialist for Charlevoix and Emmet counties in November 2022. In this role, Jenny will maintain a consistent presence within the communities to help develop, cultivate, and steward relationships with the community and business organizations, as well as with community leaders, schools and individuals. 

Jenny has resided in Northern Michigan for the past 30 years. She joins our team with over 20 years of Customer Service and Sales experience, and as an owner of a local wedding and events coordination business she has shared life’s most precious moments with hundreds of families. She proudly lives in Charlevoix, where she shares her life with her Husband, daughters, mother and dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family by traveling both domestic and internationally, camping, trailing, snowmobiling, boating, fishing and taking advantage of Charlevoix’s beautiful beaches.

While Jenny is new to the Bigs Mission, she and her family were involved in the Northern Michigan Foster care system from 2013 to 2019 opening their hearts and home as a Foster and Adoptive Family. She says, “Being a foster mom was the hardest, most rewarding experience in my life.  Our family made a difference in the lives of 18 children and their families. Choosing to close our license was the hardest decision we have ever made, but having been given the opportunity to love those children and the honor of adopting has filled my heart and soul.” She continues by saying, “I have searched for a new way to positively impact the lives of youth in our great community and was inspired by the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. I am truly grateful to be a part of the Bigs Team and excited to continue helping our youth.”

Alison joined team Bigs in 2021 before which she was previously the Director of Early Childhood Programs in Suttons Bay, most recently helping families with arrangements for loved ones at a local funeral home. She taught preschool and is a former member of the Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council. Alison has extensive training in Applied Behavioral Analysis which provides great insight as a Mentoring Specialist, as she provides volunteer and child enrollment and match support for community and school-based programs in Grand Traverse County.

"I am thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at Bigs. I truly believe it takes just one caring adult to change a child's life and am so honored to be able to help support those relationships," said Alison.

Alison and her husband Ben have 7 children and 2 dogs. She loves spending time with her kids and her beautiful grandchildren and is a diehard Detroit Tigers Fan.

After 24 years as the General Manager of Garden Goods in Traverse City, Robin has joined Team Bigs as a School Liaison, recruiting more children into our program and providing critical data demonstrating the impact of mentoring. Robin has a passion for creating and nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships and plans to do just that within the Big's community. As a 20-year TCAPS volunteer, she has created connections and friendships that remain today.

"I am blessed to be a member of the Bigs Team of Northwestern Michigan. I believe that every child deserves to have the resources to be successful and that all children can benefit from a safe, trusting and compassionate relationship with a mentor," said Robin.

Robin and her husband Dave Cox have called Traverse City their home for 30 years and raised both of their children here.

Brooke joined team Bigs as a Mentoring Specialist in 2022. In this role, Brooke will create & support Big & Little matches and continue to help them build a bond that will last a lifetime!

Brooke earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University, has worked as a substitute teacher for all grade levels, taught preschool and even taught kindergarten & English in South Korea. Her vast experiences and 20+ years of involvement in the education field allow her to bring a wealth of special skills and talents to her role.

"Knowing that the work I do each day could potentially lead to making even one child’s life better, makes coming to work rewarding. I am thankful every day that I get to work with such an awesome team and am so very excited to be a part of such an amazing program."

Brooke is mom to two amazing children, Gus & Iris, and married to a wonderful husband, Kenny.

Brian received a Bachelor’s degree from George Mason School of Business and has owned his own businesses for a majority of his career. From the streets of Bo, Sierra Leone, to working with children in his local communities, to being a Big Brother, Brian has been serving youth in a myriad of ways for over 20 years. He is driven to advocate, mentor, and provide for our future leaders. 

"As a Big Brother my Mentoring Specialist has provided invaluable support, feedback and encouragement, coaching me along the way and helping me to establish a solid foundational relationship with my Little Brother Braxton. Because of the support I receive, I was driven to become a Mentoring Specialist and make good things possible in fostering positive outcomes in the lives of Bigs and Littles. Children are our future, and I have been taking action to help children heal, prosper and feel loved. With a grateful heart, I am honored to be a part of Team Bigs."

As a Mentoring Specialist, Brian will create & support Big & Little matches and continue to help them build a bond that will last a lifetime!

Brian is a Michigan native, a father to two incredible adult daughters and has been married to his lovely wife Amber for 33 years. He enjoys mountain biking and everything and anything related to the outdoors, but is known to play a video game now and again especially at his daughters request.

Erica joined team Bigs as a Mentoring Specialist in October of 2022. In this role, Erica will support Bigs and Littles through community-based matches throughout Grand Traverse County.  She will also provide support in Grawn and Silver Lake Elementary schools.  Her support will help matches build a bond that will create memories and moments to last a lifetime! 

Erica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Central Michigan University, and has worked in a variety of social and human services fields with children, adolescents, and adults throughout Colorado and Wyoming. 

“I have a strong passion to work with children and believe each child deserves an influential, positive role model in their lives.  I am truly honored to be able to work with such an awesome team and be a part of this amazing organization."

Erica was raised in Michigan and has lived in Colorado and Wyoming.  She is a dog mom to two rescues and enjoys hiking, traveling, camping, cooking, karaoke, and spending time with her family.