Michelle Pilafas has been the Chair of the Village of Hoffman Estates Arts Commission since it began in 1997. She has volunteered countless hours of her time to make the arts and humanities readily available to Hoffman Estates residents and businesses. Her deeply rooted belief that the arts enrich and enlighten the community is demonstrated by the events and programs she helps make available in Hoffman Estates. Some of her accomplishments as Chair in 2009 include organizing a musical performance honoring Martin Luther King Jr., hosting a speaker series that featured Valerie Gugala, creating a French Film Festival, organizing summer children's concerts, and spearheading a New Community Art Gallery featuring local artists.
In addition to her leadership on the Arts Commission, Ms. Pilafas has a long history of volunteerism. Among her many accomplishments are her involvement as a Daughter of the American Revolution, school board member of the Chicago Education Project, and a former director of the One Voice Choir for preteens in Glen Ellyn. Mayor William D. McLeod says, "Ms. Pilafas has been instrumental in enriching the civic life of Hoffman Estates and surrounding communities through the many arts events and programs she leads."
