HealthPartnersWoman of the YearMegan Schmidt leads Priority Health’s commercial line of business that serve small and large companies across Michigan. In April, she accepted a new position leading health plan growth across five states for Health Partners, an...

Michigan State UniversityWoman of the YearDr. Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, is a recognized expert in addiction medicine with an interest in educating healthcare providers and providers-in-training to improve care for patients with substance use disorders,...

Department of VA, Biden Harris AdministrationWoman of the YearZaneta Adams, JD 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...

Disher CorpConnectorAfter moving to West Michigan for her first post-college job almost 35 years ago, Aimee VandenElzen was told by her employer she was too abrasive and needed to work on it. Being “abrasive” meant she was an honest and direct communicator,...

Wedgwood Christian ServicesConnectorThrough her role as Advancement Officer at Wedgwood Christian Services, Kori Thompson, MBA works to develop partnership opportunities to make mental, behavioral, and emotional health services accessible to youth and...

Broadway Grand RapidsConnectorJennifer Pascua is a savvy, strategic and collaborative communications professional, currently serving as Marketing Director for Broadway Grand Rapids. A communication person by love and by training, Jennifer has been a passionate...

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture ParkTeam PlayerKatie Racey finds managing large live events and attractions to be highly rewarding. Even more rewarding are how these events bring together people of all different backgrounds. Katie watches this unfold in...

Heron Manor & Heron Woods Team PlayerFor 33 years, Kim Murphy has added her unique fingerprints to the life journeys of senior adults, an often-marginalized population. She believes her residents don’t live in a facility, but rather she’s a guest in...

SpinDanceTeam PlayerColleen Laskowski is a wife, mom of two kids, an active community member in Holland and the Director of Delivery at SpinDance, an IoT software consulting firm. With a tenacious and level-headed spirit, Colleen has a drive for organization and...

Festival of the ArtsMentorFor Missy Summers, community service is at the heart of everything she does. Missy has served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, as treasurer for the Association of Professional Fundraising, and marketing chair for SCORE. She began...