2023 Top Honorees
Brilliant Woman of the Year
Zaneta Adams, JD | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs | Department of VA, Biden Harris Administration
Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM | Michigan State University
Megan Schmidt | Senior Vice President of Employer Solutions | Health Solutions, HealthPartners
Legacy of Brilliance
Diana Sieger | President | Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Brilliant People's Choice
Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F | Co-Founder, Director of Training and Therapeutic Programs, Owner & Director | Camp Shout Out Inc./Chmela Communication Center
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW | Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel
Vonnie Woodrick | Founder | I Understand
Brilliant Tenacity
Henrietta Hadley | Founder & CEO | Infinite Solutions Consulting Group
Alma Ross | Personal Lines Account Executive | Koop & Burr Insurance
Amanda Villarreal | Owner | AVWELLNESS
Brilliant Team Player
Colleen Laskowski | Director of Delivery | SpinDance
Katie Racey | Guest Experience Manager | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Kim Murphy | Activity Director | Heron Manor & Heron Woods
Brilliant Social Change Agent
Vanessa Greene | CEO | Michigan African American Health Institute
Jessica Johns | Co-Founder & Executive Director | The StoreHouse of Community Resources
Vonnie Woodrick | Founder | I Understand
Brilliant Mentor
Salina Bishop | Assistant Vice President of Development | Grand Rapids Symphony
Susan Negen | Co-Founder | WhizBang! Retail Training
Missy Summers | Executive Director | Festival of the Arts
Brilliant Entrepreneur
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW | Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel
Meredith Kent, MS, PA-C | Master Injector, Clinical Educator, Owner | Skin CoLAB
Rachel VanBuskirk, LMSW | Clinical Director & Owner | Portal Point Counseling
Brilliant Emerging Leader
Stormie Drake | Executive Director | READ Ottawa
Lindsay MacMillan | Head of Community Engagement | Sleeping Giant Capital
Caylie Peet, MS, CTA | Minority Business Program Manager | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Brilliant Connector
Jennifer Pascua | Marketing Director | Broadway Grand Rapids
Kori Thompson, MBA | Advancement Officer | Wedgwood Christian Services
Aimee VandenElzen | Area Lead for Business Development | Disher Corp
Brilliant Champion of Service
Rev. Joanna Bailey | Manager of Spiritual Care | Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F | Co-Founder, Director of Training and Therapeutic Programs, Owner & Director | Camp Shout Out Inc./Chmela Communication Center
Nicholette Driggs, CFLE | Development Director | Comprehensive Therapy Center
Brilliant Best Supporting Man
Craig Clark | Owner, Senior Counselor | Clark Communications
Omar Cuevas | Vice President of Investor Relations | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Carlos Sanchez, MAD | Executive Director | Davenport University - Casa Latina
“It’s such an honor to be here and to be able to receive a special award for something I’m very passionate about, which is helping to inspire people every day. It really helps me to feel confident in what my mission is and help instill in others the ability to know that they can change lives and they can make an impact."
- Amanda Villarreal, 2023 Brilliant Tenacity