{"id":414,"date":"2026-10-06T18:22:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/?page_id=414"},"modified":"2026-10-06T18:46:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:46:03","slug":"2023-finalists","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT WOMAN OF THE YEAR<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Zaneta Adams, JD<\/h4>

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs | Department of VA, Biden Harris Administration<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Dr. Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM<\/h4>

Michigan State University<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Megan Schmidt<\/h4>

Senior Vice President of Employer Solutions | Health Solutions, HealthPartners<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT TENACITY<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Amanda Villarreal<\/h4>

Owner | AVWELLNESS<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Henrietta Hadley<\/h4>

Founder & CEO | Infinite Solutions Consulting Group<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Alma Ross<\/h4>

Personal Lines Account Executive | Koop & Burr Insurance<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT TEAM PLAYER<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Kim Murphy<\/h4>

Activity Director | Heron Manor & Heron Woods<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Colleen Laskowski<\/h4>

Director of Delivery | SpinDance<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Katie Racey<\/h4>

Guest Experience Manager | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT SOCIAL CHANGE AGENT<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Vonnie Woodrick<\/h4>

Founder | I Understand<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Vanessa Greene<\/h4>

CEO | Michigan African American Health Institute<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Jessica Johns<\/h4>

Co-Founder & Executive Director | The StoreHouse of Community Resources<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT MENTOR<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Susan Negen<\/h4>

Co-Founder | WhizBang! Retail Training<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Salina Bishop<\/h4>

Assistant Vice President of Development | Grand Rapids Symphony<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Missy Summers<\/h4>

Executive Director | Festival of the Arts<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT ENTREPRENEUR <\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Robyn Gobbel, LCSW<\/h4>

Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Meredith Kent, MS, PA-C<\/h4>

Master Injector, Clinical Educator, Owner | Skin CoLAB<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Rachel VanBuskirk, LMSW<\/h4>

Clinical Director & Owner | Portal Point Counseling<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT EMERGING LEADER<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Lindsay MacMillan<\/h4>
Head of Community Engagement | Sleeping Giant Capital<\/span><\/h6>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Stormie Drake<\/h4>

Executive Director | READ Ottawa<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Caylie Peet, MS, CTA<\/h4>

Minority Business Program Manager | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT CONNECTOR<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Jennifer Pascua<\/h4>

Marketing Director | Broadway Grand Rapids<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Kori Thompson, MBA<\/h4>

Advancement Officer | Wedgwood Christian Services<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Aimee VandenElzen<\/h4>

Area Lead for Business Development | Disher Corp<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT CHAMPION OF SERVICE<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Rev. Joanna Bailey<\/h4>

Manager of Spiritual Care | Trinity Health Grand Rapids<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F<\/h4>

Co-Founder, Director of Training and Therapeutic Programs, Owner & Director | Camp Shout Out Inc.\/Chmela Communication Center<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Nicholette Driggs, CFLE<\/h4>

Development Director | Comprehensive Therapy Center<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

BRILLIANT BEST SUPPORTING MAN<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Carlos Sanchez, MAD<\/h4>

Executive Director | Davenport University - Casa Latina<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Craig Clark<\/h4>

Owner, Senior Counselor | Clark Communications<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Omar Cuevas<\/h4>

Vice President of Investor Relations | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\n

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Top Honoree<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F<\/h4>

Co-Founder, Director of Training and Therapeutic Programs, Owner & Director | Camp Shout Out Inc.\/Chmela Communication Center<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Robyn Gobbel, LCSW<\/h4>

Founder & CEO | Robyn Gobbel<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Finalist<\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>

Vonnie Woodrick<\/h4>

Founder | I Understand<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-414","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brilliance Awards\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-06T18:46:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/2023-finalists\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/2023-finalists\\\/\",\"name\":\"2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-06T18:22:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-06T18:46:03+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/2023-finalists\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/2023-finalists\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/2023-finalists\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"2023 Finalists\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/\",\"name\":\"Brilliance Awards\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/westmichiganwoman.com\\\/brilliance-awards\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards","og_url":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/","og_site_name":"Brilliance Awards","article_modified_time":"2026-10-06T18:46:03+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/","url":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/","name":"2023 Finalists - Brilliance Awards","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-10-06T18:22:43+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-06T18:46:03+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/2023-finalists\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"2023 Finalists"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/#website","url":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/","name":"Brilliance Awards","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=414"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":472,"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/414\/revisions\/472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/westmichiganwoman.com\/brilliance-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}