The 2022 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award
People’s Choice Award voting is now open! The top honoree will be announced on May 12 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.
Please keep in mind that each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skill set that in one facet or another, betters the West Michigan community. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them. Read through their bios, resonate with their challenges and triumphs, and vote for the person whose story speaks to you most. The People’s Choice Award is not a popularity contest; it’s a way of introducing brilliant individuals to the community and making connections that may not have otherwise existed.
Of the 30 Brilliance Awards Finalists, who most inspires you? Who would you like to see further recognized? Whose story should be told in a big way to West Michigan? Vote for that person.
• To vote, please provide your first and last name and email address. • You may only vote one time for one person. • Voting opens March 28, 2022 and closes at 5pm on April 15, 2022.
“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, Get Your Fight Back, Inc., which equips women and teen girls to regain control of their lives, mind, body and spirit; Rock’n the Runway GR, a fashion show with over 600 attendees, pampering breast cancer fighters and survivors, in support of breast cancer awareness in the urban community; and Confident Wear Boutique, an online and brick-and-mortar store where Veverly serves as the owner and designer. In every pursuit, Veverly is a mentor, offering leadership training and encouraging self-care. Veverly says, “Part of my discovered purpose in life is to serve others as I help them discover their purpose and unlock the valuable potential inside of them.”
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 processes out of policy, translating it into support, data management and hands-on training that impacts day-to-day work, helping businesses flourish and individuals find self-sustaining employment. Michelle says, “The path to a career is different for everyone: Mine came through recognizing my abilities to organize things and people. Every position I have held hits those two tenets. I am proof that there is abiding value in on-the-job training and learning an industry from the ground up. I am proud to consistently ask ‘why?’ and most importantly, ‘why not?’” Michelle is a lifelong resident of Muskegon, where she resides with her husband of nearly 27 years.
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, Nikeidra is working every day to make a difference in West Michigan. “I approach obstacles head on with the mindset that failure is not an option,” says Nikeidra. “Not in the sense that I won’t fall short or make mistakes along the way, but that I will show up to the challenge and not give up on myself or my goals.” In 2012, Nikeidra co-founded the nonprofit organization New Destiny Pathways Inc, which provides affordable and supportive independent-living housing to young women, ages 17-21, who are aging out of the foster care system. Nikeidra also serves as Coordinator for the Manasseh Project, an outreach ministry of Wedgwood Christian Services dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of young women and men in West Michigan.
Diana 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 empower women to feel their best as they age. After 16 years as an OB/Gyn generalist, she co-founded true. Women’s Health, and in 2020, opened the true. Women’s Health Offices in conjunction with launching the true. Women’s mobile app, designed to provide personalized comprehensive healthcare. She was named the NAMS Menopause Practitioner of the Year in 2015, and her detailed guidance on healthy aging can be found in her book I want to age like that! Healthy Aging through Midlife and Menopause. “My desire to change healthcare for women was the reason for my business,” says Diana. “I wanted to start my own business to be able to pivot quickly and innovate around offering women what they deserve, using evidence-based medicine.”
Health Net of West Michigan Brilliant Best Supporting Man
Doug Booth is a thought partner who aids in organizational oversight, development and strategic plan implementation at Health Net of West Michigan. Doug is also on the Board of Directors for the West Michigan Partnership for Children, the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium, the City of Grand Rapids Housing Appeals Board, and the Participatory Budgeting Grand Rapids process. “Serving on the steering committee for Grand Rapids' first Participatory Budgeting program provides an amazing opportunity to change the status quo to create an equitable system from the ground up,” says Doug, who is passionate about challenging the status quo, especially in politics. “Political offices tend to be dominated by male voices and lack the perspective and life experiences of women.” Doug has volunteered for the campaigns of many notable women, including and most recently, Emily Bridson’s campaign for Kentwood Mayor. “Policies impact the lives of everyone but disproportionately impact the lives of women with negative consequences. I am passionate about ensuring that the voices of women are elevated ...”
