Recent Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022 Articles

Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington

Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington

100 Shades of Diverse Abilities L3C Brilliant Champion of Service As an honorably discharged Navy Veteran, Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington suffers from military-related PTSD. She has faced the hardships of homelessness, domestic abuse, five head surgeries,...

Ingrid Aguayo-Fuentealba

Ingrid Aguayo-Fuentealba

Michigan State University and Puertas Abiertas Brilliant Champion of ServiceDr. Ingrid Aguayo Fuentealba was born and raised in Concepcion, Chile. She studied Forestry at Universidad de Concepcion and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Ingrid’s...

Jennifer Kimball James

Jennifer Kimball James

Kent County Brilliant Team PlayerJennifer Kimball James joined Kent County as Deputy County Administrator in October 2020. She provides leadership to County departments, manages special projects for the Board of Commissioners and supports the County Administrator....

Veverly Austin

Veverly Austin

Veverly Austin Enterprises | Confident Wear Brilliant Mentor “One of the key motivating factors that drives me to mentor is that I never had one and always desired one,” says Veverly Austin. Veverly’s passions have manifested into several pursuits, including: Girl,...

Kate Landis

Kate Landis

The Landis Agency Brilliant ConnectorKate Landis has called West Michigan home for 15 years. She believes that being present is the key to helping people, businesses and organizations achieve success. She has volunteered with numerous West Michigan organizations, most...

Michelle Ball, CBSP

Michelle Ball, CBSP

West Michigan Works! Brilliant Team Player Michelle Ball has been a part of workforce development in West Michigan for the past ten years: She has found this to be the most rewarding professional work of her life. Michelle relishes in creating defendable, dependable...

Colleen Lane, MD

Colleen Lane, MD

Spectrum Health Brilliant Social Change AgentColleen Lane is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native who is triple-board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Addiction. Colleen has always had a passion for working in social justice and was drawn to the field of...

Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge

Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge

Wedgwood Christian Services Brilliant Tenacity Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge is a credible leader and a tenacious spirit within the social services field. With over 18 years of experience in case management, program development and advocacy for youth and families,...

Nisha McKenzie

Nisha McKenzie

Women's + Health Collective Brilliant Social Change AgentNisha McKenzie is on a mission to change medicine. She works daily to help herself, staff and other medical providers acknowledge the bias they hold and how it affects the care provided. Her goal is to leave...

Diana Bitner, M.D. NCMP, FACOG

Diana Bitner, M.D. NCMP, FACOG

True. Women's Health Brilliant EntrepreneurDiana Bitner has been a Board-certified OB/Gyn Physician since 1998, having received her degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Bitner specializes in women’s wellness and sexual health, and her goal is to...