Board of Directors & Staff
Maggie Varney
Founder & CEO
Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan
Maggie Varney is a licensed cosmetologist who has been in the beauty industry for over 40 years and has been a successful business owner and entrepreneur for over 30 years. Maggie runs two establishments; Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, a nonprofit, and Go Green, a socially responsible and eco-friendly full service salon.
As a Michigan certified hair restoration technician through the Creating a Total Image program, Maggie volunteers her time and talent to teach cancer patients how to deal with the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy & radiation.
Maggie noticed a need to help young people and families in their struggle with health challenges causing hair loss. Utilizing her passion and expertise in the beauty industry, along with her business development experience, Maggie founded Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan in October 2003. Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan provides wigs & support services at no charge to Michigan children experiencing hair loss as a result of illness and treatment.
Maggie opened a new Wellness Center in 2020 where the nonprofit offers therapy, nutrition and self-empowerment through self-image activities. Field trips and counseling on an individual, group and family basis are also provided at no charge. Maggie is also focused on passing wig bills in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives which would encourage insurance companies to cover the cost of a child's wig like any other prosthetic. The bills have received bipartisan support and are pending.
- Macomb County Board of Commissioner's Outstanding Volunteer 2003
- The Optimist Club's Champion's Award
- "Governor's Service Award" for Exemplary Community Service 2007
- Detroit News "Michiganian of the Year" 2009
- Art Van Hope Award 2011
- Macomb County Hall of Fame 2011
- State of Michigan Special Tribute 2012
- Molina Healthcare Community Champion 2014
- Leadership Macomb People's Choice Award
Favorite Nonprofit Executive Director 2014 - National Association of Professional Women's VIP Woman of the Year 2015
- Girl Scouts of Southeastern MI One Tough Cookie Award 2016
- American Salon "Women in Beauty"
(women who made the beauty industry what it is today) 2017 - Honored with the Athena Award by Macomb Foundation in 2018
- Crain's Detroit Business Notable Women in Nonprofits 2018
- Macomb Daily "Best of the Best" 2019
- Hulafrog Macomb "Most Loved Local Charity" 2020
- Macomb Daily "Best of the Best" 2022 - 1st Place
- City of St. Clair Shores Beautification Award 2022
- Troy Chamber Business Excellence - Corewell Health Resiliency Award 2023
- Macomb Business Awards - Small But Mighty Award 2023
- Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity 2023
- WDIV Local 4 "Go 4 It" Award 2024
Board of Directors
Cheryl Smith
VICE PRESIDENT; Retired District Supervisor and Local Marketing Representative for White Castle
Ron Frederick
SECRETARY; St. Clair Shores City Councilman
Stuart Nathan
TREASURER; Physician Assistant
Anne Nicolazzo
MEMBER AT LARGE; Lanzen Inc, Vice President of Human Resources & Community Outreach and Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan Official Photographer
Grace Cracchiolo
MEMBER AT LARGE; Peter & Connie Cracchiolo Foundation
Kevin Postill
MEMBER AT LARGE; Franchise Co-owner, Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Sonja Kory-Haio
MEMBER AT LARGE; Customer Service Manager, Schrieber Agency
Advisory Board
Bobby Bielat, Retired Realtor
Retired Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Carol Visconti, Retired VP of Member Services
Retired VP of Member Services at Extra Credit Union
Kim Mercier, Oncology Social Worker
St John Macomb
Mary DeRidder, RN/Massage Therapist
Beaumont Hospital
Pete Tranchida, Attorney at Law
Private Practice
Susan Leslie, Senior Account Executive
Home Health Care
Honorary Board
- Tina Black, Paul Mitchell the School
- Dana Camphous-Peterson, Macomb YMCA
- Tom Giftos, National Coney Island
- Les & Lili Gold, American Jewelry & Loan
- Susan Goulette, MW4K Community Liaison
- Reverend Sandy Hess, Unity Church
- Honorable Mayor Bob & Nancy Hison, St. Clair Shores
- Craig Manning, Second Story Interiors
- Earl Stilson, Children's Hospital Stilson Center
- Joan Webber & Cindi Webber-Helisek, The Webber Foundation
Executive Team
- Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO
- Jennifer Fisher, Development Director
- Christina Droz, Finance Director
- Emina Didic, Hair Donation Director
Support Staff
- Heather March, Office Assistant
- Renee Consiglio, Salon Coordinator, Hospitality
- Kaleigh Eckstein, Esthetician, Nail Tech
