The 2021 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award
Voting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.
• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address • You may only vote one time for one person • Voting opens June 1, 2021 and closes at 5pm on June 25, 2021
!All finalists, along with snippets from their bios, have been placed in alphabetical order below. Enjoy learning about each of them and thank you for voting!
Chief Advancement Officer Wedgwood Christian Services Brilliant Champion of Service
Vivian TerMaat is most proud of her service in her church community. She currently serves as an Elder at Central Reformed Church, giving her the opportunity to care for others while deepening her own faith. Professionally, Vivian is the Chief Advancement Officer at Wedgwood Christian Services, where she works alongside an inspired team that raises $2 million dollars per year to support Wedgwood's services, directly transforming the lives of children, adults and families who are struggling with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. When it comes to service, Vivian notes, "...no act is too small. They all add up and help improve lives of those around you. There is nothing better."
Project & Marketing Manager, Snowden Builders LLC, and President Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) of Greater Grand Rapids Brilliant Emerging Leader
Growing up, Stephanie Snowden’s dad would say “be a leader, not a follower,” and today she is a leader in the male-dominated construction industry. Stephanie is the Project and Marketing Manager of Snowden Builders and Council President of the Professional Women in Building Council. Each day she looks for opportunities to learn and become more knowledgeable in business and the residential construction industry because she believes a good leader should never stop learning and improving. She remarks, “construction is no longer a man’s industry ... I’m helping pave the way for other young women to stand up and do something different, to be different.”
Vice-Chair, Conductive Learning Center Chair, Olivia's Gift Brilliant Best Supporting Man
Chuck Saur is now enjoying writing and sailboat racing in his retirement, but throughout his career, he worked in several education-related jobs. He retired in 2014 as Project Director for the Michigan Transition Outcomes Project, a statewide effort to help students with special needs prepare for life post-school. In addition, Chuck founded the Conductive Learning Center (CLC) with his late wife, Susie, as they searched for better methods of teaching children with movement disorders. Chuck currently serves as vice-chair of CLC and as chair of Olivia’s Gift, Inc., a non-profit housing organization for young adults with disabilities. Chuck notes that raising his sons, Dan and Nick, is one of his greatest accomplishments.
School Improvement Facilitator Grand Rapids Public Schools - Westwood Middle School Brilliant Emerging Leader
Megan Persons is an enthusiastic and motivated School Improvement Facilitator at Westwood Middle School, who is committed to engaging students and staff in equity-oriented teaching and learning. In her position, she has created the district’s only Developing Teacher Workshop, and she facilitates a district- and county-wide LGBTQ+ safe schools training. Megan explains that her strength as a leader “comes from [her] willingness to listen, learn or lift based on the needs of those [she] serves.” When things get difficult, instead of stepping back, Megan leans in and embraces the challenge with humility, discipline, effort and introspection—with that, comes progress.
Chief Nursing Officer Mercy Health Saint Mary's Brilliant Tenacity
Michelle Peña is the Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. Michelle provides clinical and administrative leadership for planning, organizing, directing, monitoring and evaluating safe high-quality patient care. It’s an understatement to say this pandemic hit Michelle and her frontline nurses hard. Every day Michelle had to evaluate how Mercy Health Saint Mary’s was keeping patients and staff safe during the uncertain and continually changing conditions. “I reflected on the previous 18 months and was surprised that I was able to handle what came my way in that time. Looking back in a comprehensive way helped me see strength in myself I didn’t know I had,” said Michelle.
Voting is now open! The West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards is entering its 5th year of celebrating the unique talents of women and men in our community. For the third year, the public will select one honoree from the finalists for the People's Choice Brilliance Award. The winner will be announced on August 31, 2021 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards where they will receive their award and recognition.
