{"id":164,"date":"2026-08-17T19:31:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wmw2026.runengine.com\/brilliance-awards\/?page_id=164"},"modified":"2026-08-18T13:01:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:01:39","slug":"woman-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/woman-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2026 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Kathleen Vogelsang, CFA<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Kathleen B. Vogelsang, CFA, is a true believer in remembering where you come from. A first-generation college graduate and non-traditional student, she earned her MBA and CFA designation while raising three children and working full-time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started out from very humble beginnings, nothing came easy,\u201d Vogelsang said. \u201cI was the first one in my family to go to college and paid my own way through, starting with community college. I don't ever want to lose sight of who I am; I'm still just humble little me\u2014no matter how many awards I get. [What matters] is who I am \u2026 someone who\u2019s trying to do the right thing and be a good person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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2025 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Catherine Ripley<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

President and CEO, Symplicity Communications, Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Catherine Ripley\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>is a trailblazing entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for women in technology and business. Overcoming immense personal challenges, including homelessness as a young mother, she built a thriving career and founded Symplicity Communications at age 39\u2014without prior entrepreneurial experience. Under her leadership, the company has grown exponentially, securing landmark deals in the technology sector and nearly doubling revenue in the past year alone. A defining moment in Catherine\u2019s journey is moving Symplicity Communications into the iconic space at 60 Monroe Center, a milestone that cements her company\u2019s deep commitment to Grand Rapids\u2019 business community. Having the building bear the Symplicity Communications name marks a new era of growth and influence for both her company and the city. Catherine serves as a Board Member for Inforum and the serves on the Technology Council of West Michigan, continuously advocating for women\u2019s leadership and innovation. She also hosts the Symplicity Conversations podcast, amplifying the voices of women in tech. Her dedication to excellence, integrity, and empowerment shapes a legacy of leadership that inspires others to rise above obstacles, embrace their potential, and redefine success on their own terms.<\/p>\n

Catherine says, \u201cI encourage women to reject limitations imposed by others and to prove\u2014first and foremost to themselves\u2014that they are capable of anything they set their minds to. When someone tells you that you can\u2019t, the best response is to show them you absolutely can. I use my own story\u2014going from homelessness with my two daughters to building a successful technology company\u2014as a testament that circumstances do not define your future\u2014your courage and perseverance do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2024 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Keli Christopher, Ph.D. <\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

STEM Greenhouse<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Dr. Keli Christopher\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>is a trailblazing leader and educator dedicated to advancing STEM education for students of color. As the Founder and CEO of STEM Greenhouse, she champions the belief that nurturing curiosity in STEM leads to flourishing children. The third Black woman globally to earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, her experiences fuel her drive to close the opportunity gap and diversify career paths for under-resourced youth.<\/p>\n

Since STEM Greenhouse's humble beginnings in 2014, Dr. Christopher has spent countless hours investing in the success of the girls and young women she teaches, whether it's going to their basketball games, taking them on field trips or otherwise. What started as math clubs for girls at local libraries has grown into an organization that serves almost 1,000 students a year.<\/p>\n

Dr. Christopher's greatest accomplishments have been successfully advocating for change in philanthropic, educational and government systems, which in turn have resulted in more equitable funding for nonprofit organizations in our community. Her honors are many, including North Carolina A&T SU, Distinguished Alumni Award, the Nolan Groce Business Leadership Award, and the Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award. Dr. Christopher's work is a testament to the power of one person's influence, transforming generations through education. She shares, \"All of my experiences\u2014from being a little girl that struggled with her multiplication tables, to becoming valedictorian of Ottawa Hills High School, to the racism I experienced in graduate school, to losing my husband to cancer, and the challenges I faced leading a nonprofit\u2014have all culminated to this point in time where others can be blessed from the journey that I've been through. For someone to look at my journey and say it is deserving of honor is beyond anything I ever imagined.\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2023 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Zaneta Adams, JD<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Deputy Assisant Secretary<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Zaneta Adams, JD\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>served as Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from June 2019 to December 2022. She was the first woman veteran in Michigan to be appointed to a governor\u2019s cabinet and the first cabinet member from Muskegon. Zaneta is humbled to have recently been appointed by the Biden-Harris administration to the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Zaneta served eight years in the Army and was medically discharged with honor. She practiced law in Muskegon and assisted many veterans nationwide with VA appeals. Zaneta also serves on many nonprofit boards and was recently an appointed member of the VA\u2019s Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention Workgroup.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Zaneta was named a Woman Veteran Trailblazer by the VA\u2019s Center for Women Veterans. She recently told her story for a VA\u2019s Million Veteran Program documentary, which was submitted for a regional Emmy. She holds a bachelor\u2019s in psychology from Columbia College and a juris doctorate from Western Michigan Cooley Law School, where she teaches veterans\u2019 law.<\/p>\n

Zaneta says, \u201cThere was a point in my life where I wanted to end my journey because I felt as though I was a burden on my family because of my disability. The fact that I made it through those moments to finish college, graduate law school, pass the bar, start a non-profit organization, and be selected by the Governor to run veteran affairs, is truly humbling. I never imagined I would find purpose in this way, yet because of my struggles, I was able to accomplish this. And by the grace of God, I am not done yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2022 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Shannon Cohen<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Shannon Cohen, Inc.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Shannon Cohen<\/strong>\u00a0is a high-level consultant, author, and founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., a company that curates products, spaces and experiences that nourish human souls. Her products have been featured at Target, Meijer and West Elm and her Tough Skin, Soft Heart podcast has subscribers spanning 12 countries. Shannon is also the founder of the global Rockstar Woman\u2122 Brunch Experience, serving 600 women annually. Shannon remarks, \u201cMy life\u2019s work not only centers [around] the career advancement and wellness of women in leadership, but it creates safe spaces for women to gather and discuss openly what they navigate behind their titles, smiles and roles.\u201d Shannon is a proud mom and is celebrating 13 years with the love of her life.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2021 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Valencia Agnew, Ph.D., LLPhD, DBTC<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Owner, Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Valencia Agnew<\/strong>'s work is based upon a lifelong belief in the unique potential within each and every person to live life versus simply existing. It is this belief that drives her continued education and commitment to excellence as she diagnoses and treats mental illnesses and performs psychological evaluations. Valencia founded Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services nine years ago, a practice that has grown from one therapist to 12. She is an expert in the areas of borderline personality, self-injury, and trauma, as well as adolescent, family and couples therapy. Recognized by the education, legal and healthcare communities as a leading provider of group and counseling services, Valencia is a therapist who offers hope.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2020 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Tasha Blackmon<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Chief Executive Officer, Cherry Health<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

As President and Chief Executive Officer at Cherry Health,\u00a0<\/span>Tasha Blackmon<\/strong>\u00a0is a dynamic, collaborative leader, mentor and coach who brings more than 20 years of business operations experience to her role. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Tasha has championed health justice through aggressively disrupting healthcare disparities. In her 18 years at Michigan's largest Federally Qualified Health Center, Tasha has demonstrated her dynamic and collabroative leadership coupled with her ability to mentor and coach others. Tasha is a woman who excels because of the amazing team she has beside her, and is committed to serving the community she was born and raised in. She is truly a leader with a servant's heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2019 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Meredith Bronk<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

CEO & President, OST<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Meredith<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>believes each of us is called to use our unique talents to the best of our abilities\u2014something she challenges herself to do, every day\u2014which requires willingness to grow, learn and constantly evolve. She honors her responsibility to show girls and young women that leadership in tech is possible and shares her struggles and failures, knowing we can\u2019t be what we can\u2019t see. Outside of tech, as a softball coach, she teaches girls about sportsmanship, accountability, teamwork, respecting authority, and other situations that matter far beyond the field; she teaches them that accepting things you can\u2019t control and battling through loss will help them excel in the face of challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2017 Woman of the Year<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Dr. Judy L. Smith, MD<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Chief, Spectrum Health Cancer Center<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Judy L. Smith, MD, MS, CPE, FACS<\/strong>, is the chief of Spectrum Health Cancer Center. Dr. Smith has over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in oncology. Dr. Smith's clinical interests include GI cancers; her primary focus is leading the Cancer Center and ensuring high-qaulity, comprehensivve and multidisciplinary care for the communities we serve.<\/p>\n

Before coming to Spectrum Health, Dr. Smith served as senior vice president and institute medical director of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American College of Physician Executives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"When you have a band of sisters who can lift you up, fix your crown and support you, you can take over the world.\"\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

- Zaneta Adams, JD, 2023 Woman of the Year<\/div>
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