2025 BRILLIANCE AWARDS FINALISTS
BRILLIANT WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Catherine Ripley
President and CEO, Symplicity Communications, Inc.
Top Honoree
Tamara Rosier, PhD
Founder, ADHD Center of West Michigan
Finalist
Meghan Distel
President and CEO, Broadway Grand Rapids
Finalist
BRILLIANT TENACITY
Jessica Crosby
CEO, Delight In Designs
Top Honoree
Melissa L. Neckers
Assisted Reproduction Attorney, Miller Johnson
Finalist
Damaris Rodriguez
Business Operations Manager, Guzman Real Estate Services
Finalist
BRILLIANT SOCIAL CHANGE AGENT
Kylie Ambu
Inclusion Host and Producer, Mutually Inclusive, WGVU Public Media
Finalist
Tammy Myers
Associate Creative Director, Meijer
Top Honoree
Kymberly Pashkowsky
MI Prevention Community Risk Reduction Chief, MI Prevention State of Michigan - LARA
Finalist
BRILLIANT MENTOR
Tarra Carson, MA, M.Ed.
Founder and President, HBCU Club of Muskegon
Finalist
Anne Doornbos
Architect, TowerPinkster, AIA Grand Rapids
Finalist
Carrie Holland MD, CPT
Owner, FitLife with Dr. Carrie Holland, MD
Top Honoree
BRILLIANT ENTREPRENEUR
Laura Armenta
Founder and CEO, Armentality Group
Finalist
Nichole Sadek
Attorney and Founder, Sadek Law, PLC
Top Honoree
RandiLynn Talsma
Co-Owner, Spreader of Sparkle, Shopkeeper, Blended Furniture Market
Finalist
BRILLIANT EMERGING LEADER
Renida Clark
Director of Workforce Development, West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology
Finalist
Kasie Pickart MPH, PMP
Behavioral Health Grants Project Director, Hope Network | Adjunct Professor, GVSU
Top Honoree
Samantha Rutherford
Agency Operations Director, Leverage Marketing
Finalist
BRILLIANT CONNECTOR
Carla Flanders
Chief Experience Officer, CMF Marketing, LLC
Finalist
Shawn Hondorp, PhD, ABPP
Owner and Host, The Innovative Therapist, The Innovative Therapist Podcast
Finalist
Cynthia Owens
Workforce Specialist, Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center
Top Honoree
BRILLIANT CHAMPION OF SERVICE
Ashley Diersch
Chief Advancement Officer, Paws With A Cause
Finalist
Amy Marshall
Co-Owner, Management Business Solutions Inc.
Finalist
Pam Westers
Owner and Founder, Profile Salon & Spa, Beautiful You by Profile
Top Honoree
BRILLIANT BEST SUPPORTING MAN
Arlan Palmer
Diversity Coordinator, Wedgwood Christian Services
Top Honoree
Austin Roelofs
Vice President of Programming, Kids’ Food Basket
Finalist
Rodney L. Savage
Vice President of Talent and Inclusion, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Finalist
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Ashley Diersch
Chief Advancement Officer, Paws With A Cause
Top Honoree
Arlan Palmer
Diversity Coordinator, Wedgwood Christian Services
Finalist