The finalists of the 2023 Brilliance Awards are: Brilliant Woman of the Year Zaneta Adams, JD | CEO & Owner | River Acres Development LLC Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM | Michigan State UniversityMegan Schmidt | Senior Vice...
Recent Brilliance Awards Finalists Articles
Christy Buck
Executive Director Mental Health Foundation of WM Brilliant Woman of the Year Christy has worked in mental health for over 30 years in West Michigan. Her life’s mission is to educate people about mental illness and reduce stigma. Christy is the creator and founder of...
Shelby Reno
Owner CKO Kickboxing Brilliant Entrepreneur In 2015, Shelby decided to go all-in on entrepreneurism. She left her job as a marketing executive and started a commercial real estate practice. At the same time, she began the process to buy a fitness kickboxing franchise....
Michael Cazer
COO Amway Brilliant Best Supporting Man As a male ally to women and gender equity, Mike understands the significance of his role as COO to enable other male leaders to be advocates and champions of gender equity, where male leaders step up beside women to fix the...
Emily Richett
Founder and Lead Publicist Happy PR Brilliant Tenacity Like most budding young entrepreneurs, Emily has encountered everyday challenges of launching and growing a business. In the midst of this, she was dealt a devastating life challenge that few could imagine. Emily...
Shannon Cohen
Founder and CEO Shannon Cohen Inc. Brilliant Connector As the Founder and Principal and Shannon Cohen, Inc., she offers speaking engagements in areas such as emotional intelligence, and equity and inclusion that transform the lives of leaders. Also, she is the...
Daniela Rojas-Cortes
Fund Development & Communications Hispanic Center of Western Michigan Brilliant Emerging Leader At the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Daniela leads efforts to create a new fund development department. She organizes countless events that are culturally...
Sandy Dettmann MD, DABAM
Founder & Addiction Medicine Specialist The Dettmann Center P.C. Brilliant Tenacity This Emergency Medicine doctor became disabled with rheumatoid arthritis in 2004 then in 2013 found a way to re-enter the workforce, re-gain her medical license, become board...
Sara Sherry-Knoester
President Mixed Staffing & Recruiting Brilliant Emerging Leader Sara wanted to create a staffing company that would allow people from all backgrounds to be able to come in and get a job without any discrimination. Sara started her company, Mixed Staffing and...
Maria Erazo
Founder & Chief Brand Officer Maria Erazo Enterprises Brilliant Entrepreneur Maria began her journey working factory jobs and learning English, but she did not want to settle there, she knew she had so much more to give. Through her determination, grit and...