Susanne (Susie) Janis is the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Service Award from the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. Janis is recognized for her nearly four decades of volunteer service. That service includes Northwestern Michigan College's Foundation Board – where she oversaw a $6 million fundraising campaign to build the Dennos Museum Center and development of its membership program – the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation Board and the Traverse Symphony Friends board. She was also among the first women to serve as a director for the Traverse City Area Chamber and was instrumental in the development of the Smith Family Breast Health Center.

Janis was also involved in several endeavors outside the Grand Traverse region, including the Michigan Community Economic Excellence Board, Michigan's Bureau of History and the Michigan Humanities Council.

Today she's involved with the Grand Traverse Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan and the Front Street Writers group among other organizations.

Janis says she's both "honored" and "humbled" by the recognition, adding that she's been the real beneficiary of her years of volunteer service.

"It's introduced me to such a wide range of really fabulous people, from both genders and of all ages," she says. "I tell everyone that I've gotten a PhD in people … it's enlightened me so much."

Janis will be presented with the award during the Chamber's Annual Celebration on Fri., Jan. 23, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The event starts at 6:30pm with the award presentation starting at 7:15pm. The celebration is open to the public. Ticket information is available here.