People’s Choice Award voting is now closed! The top honoree will be announced on May 17 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.
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 ideally, make a few new connections!
Susan Negen has helped thousands of independent retailers from Michigan and beyond reach their potential through WhizBang! Retail Training. Getting her start as a senior executive for retail giants like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Lord and Taylor, Susan brought her skills to her husband Bob’s company, which she helped grow into a multi-store, multi-million-dollar business. After selling the company in 1999, Susan and Bob founded WhizBang! Retail Training, which helps thousands of store owners grow their businesses through online courses, programs, and live events like the Retail Success Summit held annually in Grand Rapids. Susan’s “givers get” philosophy drives her impact in the retail community and empowers women to run the business of their dreams. Susan also works with organizations like the International P.E.O. Sisterhood, The People Center, and the Spring Lake Schools Foundation.
Susan says, “That’s what drives me; the knowledge that these women are out there, working really hard, giving a valiant effort, doing their best, and they need help. They need to know what I can teach them. I can make their businesses stronger and their lives better—so I must.”
Born and raised in West Michigan, Salina Bishop’s Cuban American upbringing taught her to be selfless, a hard worker and a catalyst for good. Salina has dedicated her professional life to missions larger than herself, from a career at Hospice of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation, to joining the Grand Rapids Symphony during the height of the pandemic. Salina has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Board and is currently a member of the Board at the Community Food Club. She actively participates in AFPs Mentorship program. In her free time, she enjoys the food landscape of Grand Rapids, spending time with her partner Scott, her daughter Dawson and her grand-pup Lucy.
Salina says, “As a woman who has faced both personal and professional obstacles—sometimes alone—it’s important to me to not let that happen to others. I know all too well the hardships women face, by design an already a bumpy road. Yet, when you have someone on your side, guiding and cheering you on, it makes the journey a bit easier to navigate.”
Nicholette Driggs, CFLE says her passion and greatest joy has always been connecting with other people. With her unique skillset and knowledge, she’s able to connect people, whether it be with each other, services, non-profit organizations, healthcare, and/or other resources. She knows firsthand how difficult navigating these systems can be and wants to help remove barriers to ensure that others thrive. Through her work at Comprehensive Therapy Center, Nicholette fills the gap between service-based revenue and community need. She serves on the board of the Grand Rapid Trans Foundation, helping to build equity in our community. Nicholette also channels her talents into public speaking engagements and education, often speaking about women's empowerment, connection and community, and body image.
A believer in community over competition, Nicholette says, “Growing up, my mom and grandma instilled in me there’s always someone who needs help. When I was young, it was us. I serve others, because without community resources, we wouldn’t have thrived growing up. I serve others because that’s what makes our communities better places.
Camp Shout Out Inc./Chmela Communication Center Champion of Service
Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F, has passionately served children who stutter, families, graduate students, and professionals for 35 years. Along with her colleague Julie Raynor, Kristin co-founded Camp Shout Out, which assists children who stutter within the community, graduate students and speech-language pathologists, in evolving as communicators and individuals. Recently, Kristin directed and co-produced a free video and advocacy guide to help teachers better understand the unique experiences of students who stutter and ways to help them. Kristin’s desire is for every teacher in West Michigan and across the world to watch this video, and for children who stutter to become their own self-advocates.
Kristin says, “While growing up, I suffered tremendously. I was a child who stuttered and I had severe anxiety. I was bullied often and felt isolated. I believe those experiences have contributed to my relentless passion focused upon helping children and their families.”
Rev. Joanna Bailey is a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, mother and wife. Healthcare ministry is her calling, and she’s drawn to caring conversations with the healthcare workforce at all levels. Known to be a pioneer, Joanna makes a way where there has not been a road. During her time serving as Lead Chaplain at Spectrum Health, Joanna achieved two dreams: Establishing a Critical Incident Stress Management Team and beginning the Schwartz Center Rounds program to support compassionate care of patients—two initiatives designed to support healthcare’s resilience. These experiences prepared her to transition to a new healthcare system just months before the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnering with healthcare leaders to support their colleagues is her greatest source of joy in the service she provides.
Joanna says, “I’m called to use my gifts to support and empower individuals in their efforts to improve their well-being. When I serve, I also receive. When I empower others to serve, they receive.”
People’s Choice Award voting is now closed! The top honoree will be announced on May 17 at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards. Tickets can be purchased here.
