Recent Brilliance Awards Finalists 2020 Articles

Michelle Peña

Michelle Peña

Senior Director of Leadership Giving Make-A-Wish Michigan Brilliant Champion of Service Ellie carries the torch for many fundraising initiatives that have grown to be record-breaking under her leadership. These funds are vital to Make-A-Wish’s mission and without the...

Mimi Fritz

CEO/President Grand Rapids Downtown Market Brilliant Connector Mimi has facilitated creation of jobs and startup businesses, encouraged small business owners to take a leap of faith and pursue their dreams, and helped a lot of dreams become reality by connecting...

Rose Spickler

Adjunct Professor (CIM) | Marketing Director (WMSBF) Culinary Institute of Michigan | Muskegon Food Alliance/Muskegon Food Hub | West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Brilliant Champion of Service Rose lives and breathes to serve the West Michigan community and...

Michelle Gordon

REALTOR® / Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate JH Realty Partners /Gordon Group Brilliant Connector Despite working in a competitive field, when Michelle sees a need for something or that someone has need, she will make it her business to find out who can help and...

Marissa VanderWeele

Director of Operations Full Circle Care Brilliant Champion of Service Starting out as a direct-care worker, today Marissa leads a new path toward a different care model for young adults with severe disabilities, and their families. This strategy brings parents,...

Lisa Gustafson

Executive Director Customer Experience Brilliant Team Player Throughout Lisa’s 40-year journey with Consumers Energy, she’s remained a champion for people, leading with a heart of service that ensures the team crosses the finish line together. Lisa offers thoughtful,...

Charmeka Newton, Ph.D.

Psychologist Pine Rest Mental Health Services Brilliant Social Change Agent Dr. Charmeka Newton is a psychologist at Pine Rest Mental Health Services and faculty member at Western Michigan University. Outside of her work at Pine Rest and in the classroom, she...

Bobbi Hines

Shareholder Kreis Enderle Hudgins & Borsos, PC Brilliant Tenacity At age 16, Bobbi found herself in a predicament: pregnant with little support. Despite the challenges, Bobbi finished high school, attended college and put herself through law school. Years later,...

Ellie Wilcox

Senior Director of Leadership Giving Make-A-Wish Michigan Brilliant Champion of Service Ellie carries the torch for many fundraising initiatives that have grown to be record-breaking under her leadership. These funds are vital to Make-A-Wish’s mission and without the...

Relando Thompkins Jones

Director of Social Justice Education Grand Valley State University Brilliant Best Supporting Man Relando advocates and promotes violence prevention work with unrelenting dedication at Grand Valley State University, where he co-facilitates workshops on healthy...