Each of the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards finalists were selected for a reason. All exude a contagious spirit and broad skillset 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!
President & CEO, Wedgwood Christian Services
Best Supporting Man
Throughout his career, Dan Gowdy has demonstrated his intent to promote diversity, advocate for equality and elevate strong talent and good character in the workplace. He firmly believes in leveraging his organization’s strengths, passions and wisdom to provide transformational services to youth and families throughout West Michigan.
At Wedgwood, Gowdy has initiated an ongoing leadership development program and helped establish an Employee Development fund to provide employees financial assistance to continue their education. Previously, Dan spent 24 years at Hope Network where he led successful grassroots legislative advocacy efforts for autism funding, prison reform, created an agency-wide training program for 2,700 staff, and led efforts to create a Diversity Council. Gowdy, who’s a Native American and Citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, holds a bachelor of theology and a doctorate in organizational leadership. He’s also a husband, father and “Pops” to a strong little granddaughter.
This recognition, Gowdy explains, represents the hundreds of strong, capable women he’s had the privilege and honor to work with. “In all honesty, they were strong and capable without me,” Gowdy says. “I’ve simply had the opportunity to support them and work alongside them for a part of their journey.”
Founder & Principal Consultant, DataWise Consulting
Best Supporting Man
Dr. Neil Carlson has been addicted to technical teamwork since building vast Lego layouts with his childhood neighbor. His 2004 Ph.D. in political science from Duke University is just the most formal expression of a voracious appetite for learning.
Since coming to Grand Rapids 20 years ago, his most rewarding experiences have involved networks addressing social challenges. When KConnect was born in 2014, he became a founding co-chair of the Data & Capacity Workgroup. In 2016, he served as a founding co-chair of the network-wide Accountability Partners Council, drafting a decision protocol still in use today. Neil attends the Digital Inclusion workgroup of the Kent County Essential Needs Task Force, and he recently joined the board of STEM Greenhouse. He enjoys spending time with LaVonne, his wife of 25 years, and a pair of Eagle Scouts, Jay and Colin.
Of women in the workplace, Dr. Carlson says, “Every organization should be able readily to imagine a near-term future with a majority or even all-female leadership team as easily as a majority male team. And, every organization will benefit from having specific teams and meeting series where women are in a position to call the shots.”
President, Women At Risk International
Champion of Service
Rebecca McDonald doesn’t consider herself to be special—just someone determined to give voice to the silenced. She’s spent four decades reaching out to the wounded and lifting them up to a place worth and dignity in over 60 countries and America.
The daughter of a surgeon and artist, McDonald grew up in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from age five until college and attended boarding school in Pakistan, something she considered a great privilege. By age 14, they’d stayed through two wars so her father could provide medical care. One day, her Bengali playmate was raped and fought back, silenced forever with acid poured down her throat. Her friend’s suffering set McDonald on a path to give voice to the silenced, wrapping arms of love around them and helping them rewrite their stories. She founded WAR International—best known for its anti-trafficking fight—to educate, unite, and create circles of protection and hope around the wounded through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects in addressing 15 risk issues.
“Serving others is addictive,” McDonald says. “If you stick at it long enough, you have the luxury of hindsight to see that it truly works! I could tell you thousands of stories with happy endings! That pours steel into my backbone every time.”
President, Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Best Supporting Man
Dr. Matt Biersack feels obligated to use his position, privilege and voice to support those who don’t have the same opportunities he’s had—be it in pay, promotion or any other aspect of their career.
As a trusted and collaborative leader who has served as President of Trinity Health Grand Rapids since March 2021, Dr. Biersack began his professional career as a hospital-based Internal Medicine physician, and has served in several administrative roles at THGR. A mission-centered leader, he serves as a strong advocate for community needs, and has helped forge partnerships to address much needed access to behavioral healthcare. He is a champion for hospital employee and patient safety initiatives as well as THGR’s DEI work, where he has taken an active role in ensuring an organizational focus on advancing diversity and eliminating racism. Dr. Biersack serves as Board Co-Chair for TalentFirst, and on the Board of Trustees for Aquinas College, as well as The Right Place.
Dr. Biersack, a Grand Rapids native, says, “Men have an essential role in promoting equitable outcomes in the workplace, and in doing so, they’ll unlock the incredible potential of the women around them.”
Executive Director, Baxter Community Center
Champion of Service
Service to others has always been a part of Sonja Forte’s life. It’s something she believes everyone should do, as we’ll all need to be served at some point, in some way.
As Executive Director of Baxter Community Center, Forte leads a team that offers services to neighbors and spaces where the community can come together to feel not only cared for, but wholeheartedly welcomed. Forte is intentional about being a “quiet force,” staying off the radar and moving discreetly in her efforts. She’s best known for her unique point of view and for challenging the idea of going along to get along. In doing so, she often shifts conversations in the room, challenging the direction of efforts. Forte has also spent years championing the support of Black Owned Businesses—particularly by other businesses, government and local organizations. It’s her belief that everyone should be able to pursue their own dreams, however they see them.
Forte shares, “It took me a long time to realize that by simply being myself, a kind yet direct woman with a quirky outlook on life, that it becomes a nonverbal affirmation (and even permission) for others to do the same.”
