About Us

The Luhtanen Howes Charitable Foundation is a family foundation located in Livonia, Michigan.  The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Todd A. Luhtanen, Board President

Todd is an entrepreneur and small business expert and has used this experience to guide the foundation’s grant making as board president.  He is the Founder of Metro Work Space, co-working facilities in Livonia and Farmington, Michigan.  He also provides small business consulting through Talan SBS and leads Metro West Studios, a music production company.  For 22 years, he served as Chief Technology Officer and President of Dynatek and ISGN, a mortgage software development company.  He has served as an elder board member of Northridge Church since 2007 and is the father of two and grandfather of one (and counting!).

Linda [Howes] Luhtanen, Board Secretary

Linda is a business leader, currently the owner of a Kilwins franchise in Plymouth, a chocolate, fudge, and ice cream vendor.  Previously, she led marketing for mortgage software for Dynatek and ISGN.  Under her leadership and vision, the foundation was founded in 1999 and focused its mission over the years to address the issue of child abuse.  She has a B.A. in computer science from Eastern Michigan University and is the mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of four (and counting!).

Mia Luhtanen Arter, Board Member

Mia is a non-profit program manager, currently with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and previously with The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Center for Urban Research and Learning.  She has facilitated the grant selection process for the foundation since 2012 and has a B.A. in sociology and international studies from Loyola University Chicago.

Krista [Luhtanen] Diamond, Board Member

Krista is the store manager of Kilwins, a premier chocolate, fudge, and ice cream parlor located in the heart of downtown Plymouth.  She volunteers on the board of a preschool in Novi.  She has a B.A. in photography from the Ringling School of Arts, where she first worked at the Kilwins in Sarasota, Florida.  She is the mother of two.

Jessica [Luhtanen] Booker, Board Member

Jessica is an administrative professional, having worked with Dynatek, ISGN, and Kilwins.  She provides administrative and book-keeping support to the foundation.  She is the mother of two.