Founder and CEO
Hire for Hope
Brilliant Tenacity
Ashley Ward is the Founder and CEO of Hire For Hope, an award-winning and mission-driven business that serves 60 clients in West Michigan. Her company specializes in executive recruiting and talent consulting services for mid-size businesses. The “hope” part of Hire For Hope is a part of the company’s mission, giving 10% of profit to nonprofits in West Michigan that support and empower women, particularly those experiencing domestic violence. Ashley is a survivor of domestic abuse herself and shares her story publicly, explaining that past adversity doesn’t define her¬—“it only ignites my fire and spirit, giving me the courage and power to persist even in the darkness.”
Ashley Ward
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2021
From this issue

It's critical to offer understanding, support and unconditional love to your child if they choose to come out to you. That experience for Ollie Robison (xe/he/they), Healthcare Coordinator, Grand Rapids Pride Center, was a long and complex one, coming out multiple times in different ways to the same people.

Winter is behind us and we're ready to ditch the bulky sweaters, heavy boots and puffy coats for lighter, brighter and fresher styles. Rather than mindlessly buying up a hoard of trendy items, Kathryn Snow of Style Me Ada—an expert personal stylist and shopper—walks us through building a capsule wardrobe that will keep you feeling confident and stylish all spring and summer.

Your childhood may be long past, but its influence is reflected in your present—it shapes how you see the world and how you interact with others. Maybe you've noticed patterns you can't quite shake, like anxiety that won't settle. Or maybe you struggle with depth in relationships or find yourself overwhelmed because of your tendency to overachieve (or overextend).

Living in West Michigan, we have an abundance of places to go to soak up the great outdoors. In every season, travelers head to their favorite hot spots in the lakeshore quadfecta of Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland and Saugatuck—or stick around Grand Rapids for all it has to offer. While we never tire of spotlighting the standbys, what else is there? Let's take a tour!