Peter and Jo Michalski

​​Promoting Arts, Education, and Community

​For over forty years in Alaska, Jo and Peter Michalski have followed their motto to “give where you live” - leading the way in philanthropy, fundraising, and volunteerism.   Jo and Peter demonstrate an enduring commitment to “Tikkun Olam” – making the world a better place.
Jo and Peter both grew up in St. Paul and attended University of Minnesota. Their life-long partnership began soon after they graduated, when they met on a blind date to the theater.
 
Jo and Peter married in 1969 and moved to Alaska in 1971. Peter’s law career led to an appointment as Superior Court judge, while Jo became one of the most successful businesswomen in the state. Both Michalskis retired in 2012, but continue to be ardent supporters of the arts, education, and community development. They have two adult sons, both married and attorneys living in Anchorage.

Jo Michalski
A Knack for Retail

​Jo demonstrated an early gift for leadership and civic involvement. In high school, she was the first female to be elected president of the student council and chair of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Joint Student Council. She even made it into Life Magazine for winning the Bobbie Brooks Scholarship contest. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Jo taught high school Social Studies while Peter completed his law degree. 
 
When the Michalskis moved to Juneau, Jo worked for the Alaska Department of Education to develop a statewide environmental education curriculum. For three years, she conducted teacher workshops throughout the state and organized the first Governor’s Conference on Environmental Education. 
 
In 1976, Jo earned her Masters’ degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, planning to become a High School principal. That plan changed when sister Jana Hayenga moved to Anchorage in 1979. The sisters joined forces to open a series of successful Anchorage retail stores: Country Classics, Classic Toys, Alaska Book Fair Co., Once Upon a Time, and Flypaper. On her own, Jo founded Classic Woman and Portfolio.
 
Jo advises others to “start small, think big, move fast” – and give back to the community. “Being in business has been good for me, as it provided … control over my life to raise my family, to participate in the community and to do what I could do to leave this world better than I came into it”.  As a business owner, Michalski focused on hiring and promoting women in the workplace.  She is a valued contributor to women’s conferences, focusing on women’s issues in the workplace. Her accolades include the 1997 Athena Award, 1998 Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award, 1998 Woman Entrepreneur Award, 1999 Gold Pan Award for Outstanding Community Service, 2001 Women in History legislative citation, and 2016 Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

​​Jo is a long-standing board member and former chair of the University of Alaska Foundation. She serves on the boards of the Homer Pratt Museum and the Bunnell Arts Center. Over the years, she has chaired the boards of the YWCA, Alaska Community Foundation and the University of Alaska College of Fellows, and has volunteered for numerous charities. 

Peter Michalski
Leading with Integrity

​Peter was the second oldest in a family of six children. His Alaskan roots were planted early by his father, who was stationed on the Aleutian Island of Attu during WWII. So Peter jumped at the opportunity to move to Alaska when the state's Department of Law came seeking new lawyers to deal with the burgeoning oil industry. Looking for adventure, Peter signed a two-year contract to work for the Department of Law in Juneau. That was all it took – by the end of their contract, the Michalskis were committed to building a life in Alaska.

After 13 years with the Department of Law, Peter became a Superior Court Judge. He served in that capacity for 27 years.

​Since retirement, Peter donates much of his time and talent to non-profit organizations. He chairs the Alaska Community Foundation Board and works on their program and grants committee. A director of the Anchorage Museum Association since 2013, he recently joined the museum’s foundation board. The Michalskis also promote community development through the "Awesome Foundation," awarding micro-grants for arts, technology and more.

"Give Where You Live"

​The Michalskis are well-known for supporting civic and community organizations. “If you are a business person and you live in this community and it is where you make your money, it is imperative that you give back to the community.” Jo emphasizes that philanthropy is not just for the wealthy. “It’s a simple rule,” she says. “Everyone has the ability to help others.”
 
The Michalskis donate generously, and frequently host events and fundraisers in their home. Jo and Peter are patrons of the Kachemak Bay Writer’s Conference in Homer, the Anchorage Concert Association, and more. In 2006 Jo and Peter jointly earned the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Alaska chapter).

Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World

​Jo and Peter Michalski truly embody the spirit of “Tikkun Olam.”  They strive to improve their home community – the people, businesses, and institutions that make Alaska a great place to live and work. ​