2023 BRILLIANCE AWARDS FINALISTS
BRILLIANT WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Zaneta Adams, JD
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs | Department of VA, Biden Harris Administration
Top Honoree
Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM
Michigan State University
Finalist
Megan Schmidt
Senior Vice President of Employer Solutions | Health Solutions, HealthPartners
Finalist
BRILLIANT TENACITY
Amanda Villarreal
Owner | AVWELLNESS
Top Honoree
Henrietta Hadley
Founder & CEO | Infinite Solutions Consulting Group
Finalist
Alma Ross
Personal Lines Account Executive | Koop & Burr Insurance
Finalist
BRILLIANT TEAM PLAYER
Kim Murphy
Activity Director | Heron Manor & Heron Woods
Top Honoree
Colleen Laskowski
Director of Delivery | SpinDance
Finalist
Katie Racey
Guest Experience Manager | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Finalist
BRILLIANT SOCIAL CHANGE AGENT
Vonnie Woodrick
Founder | I Understand
Top Honoree
Vanessa Greene
CEO | Michigan African American Health Institute
Finalist
Jessica Johns
Co-Founder & Executive Director | The StoreHouse of Community Resources
Finalist
BRILLIANT MENTOR
Susan Negen
Co-Founder | WhizBang! Retail Training
Top Honoree
Salina Bishop
Assistant Vice President of Development | Grand Rapids Symphony
Finalist
Missy Summers
Executive Director | Festival of the Arts
Finalist
BRILLIANT ENTREPRENEUR
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW
Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel
Top Honoree
Meredith Kent, MS, PA-C
Master Injector, Clinical Educator, Owner | Skin CoLAB
Finalist
Rachel VanBuskirk, LMSW
Clinical Director & Owner | Portal Point Counseling
Finalist
BRILLIANT EMERGING LEADER
Lindsay MacMillan
Head of Community Engagement | Sleeping Giant Capital
Top Honoree
Stormie Drake
Executive Director | READ Ottawa
Finalist
Caylie Peet, MS, CTA
Minority Business Program Manager | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
BRILLIANT CONNECTOR
Jennifer Pascua
Marketing Director | Broadway Grand Rapids
Top Honoree
Kori Thompson, MBA
Advancement Officer | Wedgwood Christian Services
Finalist
Aimee VandenElzen
Area Lead for Business Development | Disher Corp
Finalist
BRILLIANT CHAMPION OF SERVICE
Rev. Joanna Bailey
Manager of Spiritual Care | Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Top Honoree
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
Finalist
Nicholette Driggs, CFLE
Development Director | Comprehensive Therapy Center
Finalist
BRILLIANT BEST SUPPORTING MAN
Carlos Sanchez, MAD
Executive Director | Davenport University - Casa Latina
Top Honoree
Craig Clark
Owner, Senior Counselor | Clark Communications
Finalist
Omar Cuevas
Vice President of Investor Relations | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
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
Top Honoree
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW
Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel
Finalist
