Disher Corp
Connector
After moving to West Michigan for her first post-college job almost 35 years ago, Aimee VandenElzen was told by her employer she was too abrasive and needed to work on it. Being “abrasive” meant she was an honest and direct communicator, instead of West Michigan nice. Today, it’s one of her greatest achievements to have stayed in West Michigan while remaining true to herself. She found community with people from all walks of life, and gets to live where she truly belongs. Aimee is passionate about seeing the light in others and helping them thrive with the gifts they’re given. She enjoys coffee shops, reading real books, making rosaries, drinking craft beer and cooking with her family. Aimee calls Holland home, along with husband Mike, their four children, a daughter-in-law, and Maggie the cat.
Aimee says, “I’ve always enjoyed people and building relationships. It’s just a part of who I am. I’m curious about people and I have a simple belief that everyone has a story, and we can learn from others by sharing our stories. Connecting people costs nothing. It’s a basic act of love for humankind.”
Aimee VandenElzen
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2023
From this issue

Kristin Revere: Channeling Heart and Hard Work to Grow Birth and Postpartum Support in West Michigan
When Kristin Revere, MM, CED, NCS, became a mother, she hadn't imagined she'd one day be leading a team of 25 doulas, educators, and specialists through one of the most respected doula agencies in the Midwest.

Kelsey Carpenter, Ph.D. completed her doctorate in integrated biomedical sciences at Rush University in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Grainger Lab at Van Andel Institute's Department of Cell Biology. It's here that Dr. Carpenter studies the origins of blood cancers by focusing on how blood cells develop.

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