Director of Talent & Leadership Programs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Connector
Monica Mendez firmly believes that magic happens when we find common purpose with those outside of our usual circles.
Born and raised in Mexico, Mendez’s journey has been a testament to her ability to navigate diverse cultural landscapes. She spent the first 15 years of her career as a bicultural, bilingual business professional. While finding corporate success, she felt drawn to causes shaping our community, leading her to boldly change direction. Mendez is a community connector who believes in system-level impact through collaboration and relationship building. As the Director of Talent & Leadership Programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, Mendez is an ally, building the community of tomorrow. She serves as a leader in strategy, development, and facilitation of ATHENA Grand Rapids, Latina Connect, OutPro, and five leadership programs, in addition to sitting on the boards of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and the Literacy Center.
Always open to connect—and knowing from experience that one coffee can be life changing—Mendez says, “I connect with people because I know it’s a powerful way to celebrate each other’s greatness. I not only believe in shining a light on others, but in helping people’s lights shine.”
Monica Mendez
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2024
Monica Mendez
From this issue
For nine years, Mimi Fritz, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, worked as the director of the city of Holland Principal Shopping District. Included in that role was the creation, management and marketing of many seasonal events and programs, among them organizing the annual Kerstmarkt, an outdoor, European-style market with holiday items, delicious food and artisan demonstrations.
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There are plenty of options in greater West Michigan that may not be on your radar. Here, we've gathered some lesser-known attractions for you to explore—from galleries to performance venues to shops.