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.
Wendy has a master’s degree in recreation administration from Aurora University and a passion for youth development. After seeing the need for youth to have healthy eating skills, she made a career change and gained a second master’s degree in holistic nutrition. Wendy is devoted to health and wellness. In 2015, she launched Revive & Thrive, which provides free home-delivered meals to those facing health crises and mentors teens who learn a variety of life skills while volunteering with the organization. Improving health in our community is Wendy’s passion. When it comes to challenges, Wendy says, “I accept the problem and embrace the challenge, and my desire to move past it helps me find a way that I didn’t even know was possible. Obstacles have hidden lessons and blessings waiting to be discovered.”
Despite encountering adversity at many turns, Paola Andrea Carlson has created a thriving business for her family. In just two years of existence, Pochis Sweet Designs has become a household name in West Michigan and is continuing to make an impact. What started as a hobby for Paola, has grown into a full-time business, with three employees and an expanding product line. “My goal is to be a thriving independent woman who teaches my daughter that anything can be accomplished in life,” says Paola. In addition to her products selling at several retail locations, you will soon find Pochis Sweet Designs at Meijer stores. Paola is also working to open her own storefront this year. For Paola, her goal is to employ, give back to the community and support single mothers who have experienced financial hardships like her. Paola explains, “It is not about the strawberries; it is not about the macarons or the roses. It is about my passion to care for myself, my daughter, my community and my customers.”
Shannon Cohen is a high-level consultant, founder and author of two books: It’s Normal to Shake as You Soar and Tough Skin, Soft Heart: A Leadership Guide to Growing Stronger, Better, and Wiser. She is the Founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., a company that curates products, spaces and experiences that nourish human souls. Her products have been featured at Target, Meijer and West Elm and her Tough Skin, Soft Heart podcast has subscribers spanning 12 countries. Shannon is the founder of the global Rockstar Woman™ Brunch Experience, serving 600 women annually, and for the past two years, Shannon has been named one of the 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan. Shannon remarks, “My life’s work not only centers [around] the career advancement and wellness of women in leadership, but it creates safe spaces for women to gather and discuss openly what they navigate behind their titles, smiles and roles.” Personally, Shannon is a proud mom and is currently celebrating 13 years of “I do” with the love of her life!
“We rise by lifting others,” a quote by Robert Ingersoll, has served as inspiration for the way Lynnette Collins shows up and engages others both personally and professionally. As a result, Lynnette is known for being an unapologetic champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. She is an advocate for individual growth and a driver of organizational change. As a leader, Lynnette motivates teams through inclusion and empowerment, providing a safe space to fail, learn and grow. She actively develops and promotes talent through servant leadership, mentoring and coaching, helping others to make connections and expand their networks. “It takes very little time to make a connection that could lead to THE connection that makes all the difference in a person’s life,” says Lynnette, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of Inforum, the leading professional organization focused on creating strategic connections and accelerating careers for women throughout the Midwest.
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Brilliant Mentor
Mariah is a fully Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the social work field. She is the Outpatient and Recovery Services Substance Use Disorder Director at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health. Throughout the pandemic, Mariah has mentored and guided her team of managers, therapists, case managers, psychiatric technicians, recovery coaches, support staff and prescribers. “Being the Director, I get the credit, however I am only as good as my team,” explains Mariah. “This award would mean recognition for both myself and all the staff in the substance use disorder program at Pine Rest. It would bring awareness in the community for what we do and how we help people.” In addition to her life-changing work in recovery and substance use, Mariah and her husband, Dave, are devoted foster parents. Mariah enjoys working with children, their biological parents and other foster parents to provide support and comfort on the difficult journey that is foster care.
