The 2022 West Michigan Woman People's Choice Brilliance Award

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Priority Health
Brilliant Champion of Service

Empathy and curiosity are her superpowers. Lack of sleep is her kryptonite. Abbey Sladick seeks to live in a world where everyone is loved and valued for their unique perspectives. Her career journey spans more than a decade in various industries, from television journalism and higher education to social services and healthcare. Every day she seeks pathways and partnerships that move our communities toward health equity with a dedicated team at Priority Health. “I recently learned about the platinum rule, and it has had a profound impact on me: treat others the way that they want to be treated,” says Abbey. Committed to faith, health and education, Abbey spends her time and resources reducing stigma and increasing access to behavioral health care, supporting women in leadership growth, reaching out to people experiencing homelessness, and advocating for organ donation. Abbey lives daily by Maya Angelou’s quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Harbor Humane Society
Brilliant Emerging Leader

Allyson is a passionate fund development professional who has a heart for giving a voice to the voiceless—especially those with fur and four legs! In the last three years, Harbor Humane Society’s fund development has consistently expanded under Allyson’s leadership efforts in building new standards for the department. Those efforts have come to fruition through direct mail campaigns and sponsored partnerships that have tripled growth in monthly giving and signature event revenue—all to better serve our community’s homeless pets. Allyson applies her detail oriented, results-driven nature to creating meaningful experiences that help foster connections to Harbor Humane's mission. When it comes to leadership, Allyson says, “it should be of utmost priority to take care of your people (and yourself)!  Ensuring your team’s needs are met, means everyone has the opportunity to succeed. … the phrase ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup’ has always resonated with me.” Native to West Michigan, Allyson received her bachelor’s degree in community leadership from Aquinas College in 2017.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

SxanPro, LLC
Brilliant Entrepreneur

Ashlea Souffrou is a 16-year veteran of the medical device industry with a passion and dedication to uncovering sustainable and cost-saving solutions within the healthcare domain. In 2019, she founded SxanPro, a technology company that digitizes inventory processes in the hospital supply chain. The idea came from her many years as a medical device sales rep. “I saw huge quantities of supplies thrown out because they had expired just sitting on the shelves,” explained Ashlea. “I knew there had to be a better solution.” In 2021, Ashlea was awarded a patent for her mobile application technology that extracts product data from a medical device by scanning the UDI barcode. Ashlea has made a commitment to support West Michigan communities and has built SxanPro using local software development, legal, accounting and web design businesses. She actively partners with CURE International and other medical missions across the country and is hosting, with SxanPro, an MBA capstone project with students at GVSU.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Brilliant Connector

Ashley René Lee is a nonprofit and communications executive who helps organizations determine strategic direction and deliver messages through an equity lens. She previously led communications at Michigan State University and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has written for publications such as Essence Magazine. Ashley is passionate about mentoring students and professionals in the fields of communications, philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. “... being an advocate for other women has always been a priority of mine. Connecting other women to networks, resources, information and opportunities for growth and advancement is among the most important work that I do. This is especially true for women of color who face added barriers when it comes to equitable access to networks and opportunities," says Ashley, whose accolades include being recognized by Grand Rapids Young Professionals as Young Professional of the Year, Who’s Who in Black Washington, D.C. as a Woman of Excellence Under 40 and as a finalist for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Spectrum Health
Brilliant Social Change Agent

Colleen Lane is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native who is triple-board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Addiction. Colleen has always had a passion for working in social justice and was drawn to the field of addiction medicine during her residency. She sees herself as a physician advocate and uses her voice and platform to talk about substance use disorders and medication-assisted treatment. Passionate about her work, Colleen strives to expand access to addiction treatment services while breaking down the stigma that surrounds harm reduction. “Despite being in a life-saving medical field, addiction medicine deals with stigma both among medical and non-medical people,” explained Colleen. “I view my role not only as a physician, but also as an ambassador. I take every chance to talk about harm reduction and what it means to love someone through addiction. I want people to know that patients living with addiction are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and neighbors—their lives matter and treatment works.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

True. Women's Health
Brilliant Entrepreneur

Diana Bitner has been a Board-certified OB/Gyn Physician since 1998, having received her degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Bitner specializes in women’s wellness and sexual health, and her goal is to empower women to feel their best as they age. After 16 years as an OB/Gyn generalist, she co-founded true. Women’s Health, and in 2020, opened the true. Women’s Health Offices in conjunction with launching the true. Women’s mobile app, designed to provide personalized comprehensive healthcare. She was named the NAMS Menopause Practitioner of the Year in 2015, and her detailed guidance on healthy aging can be found in her book I want to age like that! Healthy Aging through Midlife and Menopause. “My desire to change healthcare for women was the reason for my business,” says Diana. “I wanted to start my own business to be able to pivot quickly and innovate around offering women what they deserve, using evidence-based medicine.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Health Net of West Michigan
Brilliant Best Supporting Man 

Doug Booth is a thought partner who aids in organizational oversight, development and strategic plan implementation at Health Net of West Michigan. Doug is also on the Board of Directors for the West Michigan Partnership for Children, the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium, the City of Grand Rapids Housing Appeals Board, and the Participatory Budgeting Grand Rapids process. “Serving on the steering committee for Grand Rapids' first Participatory Budgeting program provides an amazing opportunity to change the status quo to create an equitable system from the ground up,” says Doug, who is passionate about challenging the status quo, especially in politics. “Political offices tend to be dominated by male voices and lack the perspective and life experiences of women.” Doug has volunteered for the campaigns of many notable women, including and most recently, Emily Bridson’s campaign for Kentwood Mayor. “Policies impact the lives of everyone but disproportionately impact the lives of women with negative consequences. I am passionate about ensuring that the voices of women are elevated ...”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

100 Shades of Diverse Abilities L3C
Brilliant Champion of Service 

As an honorably discharged Navy Veteran, Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington suffers from military-related PTSD. She has faced the hardships of homelessness, domestic abuse, five head surgeries, thyroid cancer and a stroke, which made her a wheelchair user nine years ago. Kimberly had two surgeries requiring removal of her teeth and part of her jaw bones due to a rare bone disorder and she is visually and hearing impaired. These experiences have been the catalyst to her greatest achievement: her will to live beyond human conditions so that she may advocate systemically to improve the quality of life for persons within her sphere of influence. Kimberly has changed the lives of many through random acts of kindness, such as, “paying a person's grocery bill … ; giving new shoes to someone who had holes in theirs; paying people’s rent; … and creating and providing more than 1,000 Personal Protection Kits for small business owners and churches during the pandemic.” Kimberly says, “I believe when you agree to make decisions based on the most excluded, you have included everyone.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Crossroads Eldercare Options
Brilliant Tenacity

In 2012, as a single parent, Elizabeth Eardley started her company after resigning from a national corporation that no longer aligned with her values. This year, Elizabeth is celebrating Crossroads Eldercare Option’s 10-year anniversary. Crossroads is a small company of only 5 women, but they are mighty, having assisted over 1,200 families this year alone. Elizabeth’s team of advisors consult with and provide guidance and referrals for eldercare options in the West Michigan community, all at no cost. In the last decade, they have helped over 10,000 people. Families are often confused and stressed as they navigate the senior care maze for their loved ones, and Crossroads offers support, education and information during this difficult time. When asked about her tenacious spirit, Elizabeth said, “I [have] learned that you could accomplish your dreams one step at a time if you just persevere.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

DeHaan Homes
Brilliant Emerging Leader 

Emily Quellet’s leadership and dedication stems from overcoming adversities as a young woman. She explains, “I moved six times my senior year of high school because my mother and I couldn’t afford rent. This is what fueled my passion to succeed and to help others like me.” Emily was one of two people in her entire extended family to complete her bachelor’s degree. She worked her way up from a receptionist in a small real estate firm to becoming Chief Operating Officer for a high-end custom home builder. Emily’s passion for her community lives on in her volunteering efforts: She has served on the NextGen Board for Wedgwood Christian Services for the past three years and was recently appointed co-chair. In her spare time, she volunteers for other organizations that ignite her passion for diversity and inclusion. Emily says, “I want other young women of color to see me as an inspiration that anyone can defy statistics. Your history does not define you. Your struggles do not define you. What defines you is what’s in your heart.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Wedgwood Christian Services
Brilliant Best Supporting Man

Gary Raterink has had two successful 30-year careers, one in public accounting and the other in nonprofit finance. At 86, Gary continues to work as Wedgwood Christian Services’ Planned Giving Officer. He has served as a local and state director for the Michigan Association of CPAs and as the president for Holland Home. In addition, Gary has led the Estate Planning Council for West Michigan. He has also been a member of Kiwanis for 20 years, which is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. Throughout Gary’s professional and philanthropic efforts, he has mentored many talented women and has been a role model to men, demonstrating how to elevate the voice of women in the workplace. “Recognizing the talent of others and watching them thrive in their roles is its own sense of achievement,” says Gary. “I cannot take credit for any of the accomplishments of the women whom I have led, but I am honored to have played a small role in their success.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Michigan State University and Puertas Abiertas
Brilliant Champion of Service

Dr. Ingrid Aguayo Fuentealba was born and raised in Concepcion, Chile. She studied Forestry at Universidad de Concepcion and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Ingrid’s specialization and expertise in forest entomology originally led her to Colorado, but 12 years ago, she moved to Michigan after seeing the need and opportunity to work directly with the Hispanic community in Grand Rapids, using her skills in math and biology to prepare young and adult students to obtain their GEDs. Ingrid is currently involved in managing the high school equivalency program at Michigan State University, serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout Michigan. Ingrid says, “The service that makes me most proud is to serve as a channel to access education. I'm always honored to guide my students, mentees or any community member to discover their full potential and achieve their dreams.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Kent County
Brilliant Team Player

Jennifer Kimball James joined Kent County as Deputy County Administrator in October 2020. She provides leadership to County departments, manages special projects for the Board of Commissioners and supports the County Administrator. Jenny supported Kent County’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “We’ve succeeded in identifying shelter locations, securing funding and pivoting to provide the best service possible as the status of the pandemic changes.” Jenny continues to build relationships and partnerships within the county government and the community to enhance services to residents. When it comes to being a team player, she says, “The process of learning, problem solving and celebrating successes is a lot more fun with a group than by yourself! I’ll never know it all and I need the talents and perspectives of others to support me. When I surround myself with a team, I’m amazed at how productive and enjoyable it is to tackle a challenge together.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Rockford Construction
Brilliant Woman of the Year 

A graduate of Kalamazoo College, Julie has served at Rockford Construction for the last 28 years in a variety of roles, including: Accountant, CFO, Real Estate Development Partner and Chief Investment Officer. As a result of Julie’s financial and tax planning oversight, Rockford Construction now averages $450 million in construction volume, with a real estate portfolio of $200 million, and managed properties in excess of 2.4 million square feet. Julie says, “My biggest accomplishment professionally has been the growth of our company … but my greatest accomplishment comes from looking at our current leadership team and seeing the faces of so many other strong, confident and successful women leaders.” Julie has served in industry leadership roles for organizations like Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Professional Women and National Association of Women in Construction. Her community involvement includes leadership positions within North Kent Connect, Habitat for Humanity, the Power of 100 Women, Michigan Women Forward, Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation and Conductive Learning Center. Julie’s family includes her husband, children, grandchildren and two dogs.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

The Landis Agency
Brilliant Connector

Kate Landis has called West Michigan home for 15 years. She believes that being present is the key to helping people, businesses and organizations achieve success. She has volunteered with numerous West Michigan organizations, most recently with the Professional Women in Building Council. As a board member, she led a team of women who shared a passion for helping members grow professionally. Together, they created a two-year plan with over 15 professional development and continuing education opportunities. Those opportunities connected women in the construction industry to other professionals with unique skills, ultimately helping members reach their professional goals. Kate is also a board member for the Empowerment Institute, where she hopes to help connect the BIPOC non-profit community to people, tools and resources that will create sustainable change in West Michigan. Kate says, “[Connection] is more than just sending an email or a text with another person's contact information; it is about [providing] introductions that will help others achieve success and accomplish their goals.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Huntington National Bank
Brilliant Woman of the Year

Krista Flynn has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry and has recently become the first woman to hold the position of Regional President at Huntington Bank in West Michigan. Krista is on the boards of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Grand Action 2.0, The Right Place, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, West Michigan CEO Council, K-Connect, Talent 2025, Armed Forces Thanksgiving, and Opportunity for All. Krista’s involvement in the community is driven by passion, passion for personal development, opportunities for women and the continued fight against inequities in the community. Krista says, “Being ingrained in the community has taught me so much about myself that I could never have experienced in my daily bubble. By giving my time and energy, I receive tenfold in return, and I can share my learnings with others.” Krista holds a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Finance from Walsh College. She and her husband, Paul, live in Ada and have two sons.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Laurel & Co.
Brilliant Mentor

Laurel Romanella is an attorney, mentor, business owner and passionate spark plug. Specifically, she is the owner of the RNR franchise, where she helps companies implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System. She is the eponymous owner of Laurel & Co, applying a unique blend of business experience and legal knowledge to help others scale their businesses. As the owner of RedLine, PLLC, Laurel employs healthcare experience and contract expertise to help physicians and providers navigate employment legal documents. Though each business is different, Laurel’s position remains that same: people facing. “I believe mentoring isn’t about information … it’s about transformation,” says Laurel. Driven by a passion for pouring into others, Laurel has mentored and consulted with small and large businesses in various industries nationwide since 2009. And as an entrepreneur and local investor herself, Laurel has a proven track record of helping owners operate successful businesses and live their ideal lives. “Through mentoring, I have the opportunity to give away my gold—my experiences, perspective and expertise—in service to others.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Steelcase
Brilliant Connector

“We rise by lifting others,” a quote by Robert Ingersoll, has served as inspiration for the way Lynnette Collins shows up and engages others both personally and professionally. As a result, Lynnette is known for being an unapologetic champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. She is an advocate for individual growth and a driver of organizational change. As a leader, Lynnette motivates teams through inclusion and empowerment, providing a safe space to fail, learn and grow. She actively develops and promotes talent through servant leadership, mentoring and coaching, helping others to make connections and expand their networks. “​​It takes very little time to make a connection that could lead to THE connection that makes all the difference in a person’s life,” says Lynnette, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of Inforum, the leading professional organization focused on creating strategic connections and accelerating careers for women throughout the Midwest.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Gerald R. Ford Interntional Airport
Brilliant Team Player

Margie Witbeck has supported presidents, vice presidents, business owners, CEOs, COOs, physicians and board members. She has enhanced her professional skills by completing the highly competitive Futures program through Spectrum Health as well as Leading Edge and Emerging Leaders through the Grand Rapids Chamber. In addition to Margie’s professional accomplishments, she proudly immerses herself into West Michigan. She has a passion for giving back to her community, having served on committees and boards including, Young Nonprofit Professionals of West Michigan and the Catholic Charities Young Professionals. She has spent many additional hours volunteering for Make-A-Wish of West Michigan, Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup, March of Dimes and many more. Margie says, “More than anything, I enjoy the collaborative opportunity to work with many different backgrounds and appreciate the chance to hear other's perspectives … I enjoy the feeling of belonging and being part of something bigger while sharing the same goal.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Brilliant Mentor

Mariah is a fully Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the social work field. She is the Outpatient and Recovery Services Substance Use Disorder Director at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health. Throughout the pandemic, Mariah has mentored and guided her team of managers, therapists, case managers, psychiatric technicians, recovery coaches, support staff and prescribers. “Being the Director, I get the credit, however I am only as good as my team,” explains Mariah. “This award would mean recognition for both myself and all the staff in the substance use disorder program at Pine Rest. It would bring awareness in the community for what we do and how we help people.” In addition to her life-changing work in recovery and substance use, Mariah and her husband, Dave, are devoted foster parents. Mariah enjoys working with children, their biological parents and other foster parents to provide support and comfort on the difficult journey that is foster care.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

West Michigan Works!
Brilliant Team Player

Michelle Ball has been a part of workforce development in West Michigan for the past ten years: She has found this to be the most rewarding professional work of her life. Michelle relishes in creating defendable, dependable processes out of policy, translating it into support, data management and hands-on training that impacts day-to-day work, helping businesses flourish and individuals find self-sustaining employment. Michelle says, “The path to a career is different for everyone: Mine came through recognizing my abilities to organize things and people. Every position I have held hits those two tenets. I am proof that there is abiding value in on-the-job training and learning an industry from the ground up. I am proud to consistently ask ‘why?’ and most importantly, ‘why not?’” Michelle is a lifelong resident of Muskegon, where she resides with her husband of nearly 27 years.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

The Empowerment Institute
Brilliant Social Change Agent

Monique Salinas is passionately working for West Michigan social justice. The daughter of a Mexican migrant worker, she received her degrees in music and business administration from Aquinas College and her doctorate in music education from Michigan State University. The first nonprofit organization she founded, Girls Choral Academy, raised self-esteem and self-confidence in girls with specific outreach to Latina girls in GRPS elementary schools. Her second nonprofit, Mind Meets Music, focused on literacy and academic achievement through music in marginalized preschool through third-grade students. Monique raised over $4 million dollars spanning her 23+ years in the nonprofit world. She served as President of the Boards of Ebony Road Players, STEM Greenhouse and Grand Rapids Community Arts. She continues to mentor numerous women of color in leadership roles and is more recently the founder and president of a new nonprofit, The Empowerment Institute, working to solve the problems of inequity in nonprofits of color and helping to achieve radical systems change.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Wedgwood Christian Services
Brilliant Tenacity 

Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge is a credible leader and a tenacious spirit within the social services field. With over 18 years of experience in case management, program development and advocacy for youth and families, Nikeidra is working every day to make a difference in West Michigan. “I approach obstacles head on with the mindset that failure is not an option,” says Nikeidra. “Not in the sense that I won’t fall short or make mistakes along the way, but that I will show up to the challenge and not give up on myself or my goals.” In 2012, Nikeidra co-founded the nonprofit organization New Destiny Pathways Inc, which provides affordable and supportive independent-living housing to young women, ages 17-21, who are aging out of the foster care system. Nikeidra also serves as Coordinator for the Manasseh Project, an outreach ministry of Wedgwood Christian Services dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of young women and men in West Michigan.

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Women's + Health Collective
Brilliant Social Change Agent

Nisha McKenzie is on a mission to change medicine. She works daily to help herself, staff and other medical providers acknowledge the bias they hold and how it affects the care provided. Her goal is to leave every patient she sees feeling more empowered in their health journey, more able to advocate for themselves when needed, and closer to their health goals. “Healthier, stronger, more confident people who feel like they have energy and space can then turn and give to this community in real and meaningful ways,” explains Nisha. Nisha believes each patient who feels heard is not only her greatest achievement, but also her fuel to continue forging a new path for medicine. “As humans, we know our bodies best. As medical providers, we know data, research and science. Combined, what a team we can make!”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Pochis Sweet Designs
Brilliant Entrepreneur

Despite encountering adversity at many turns, Paola Andrea Carlson has created a thriving business for her family. In just two years of existence, Pochis Sweet Designs has become a household name in West Michigan and is continuing to make an impact. What started as a hobby for Paola, has grown into a full-time business, with three employees and an expanding product line. “My goal is to be a thriving independent woman who teaches my daughter that anything can be accomplished in life,” says Paola. In addition to her products selling at several retail locations, you will soon find Pochis Sweet Designs at Meijer stores. Paola is also working to open her own storefront this year. For Paola, her goal is to employ, give back to the community and support single mothers who have experienced financial hardships like her. Paola explains, “It is not about the strawberries; it is not about the macarons or the roses. It is about my passion to care for myself, my daughter, my community and my customers.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Mary Free Bed
Brilliant Best Supporting Man 

A patient of Mary Free Bed after a spinal cord injury in 2010, Ryan knows firsthand the challenges and value of exceptional rehabilitation care. After graduating from Mary Free Bed and relearning how to walk, Ryan attended Grand Valley State University with a new passion for healthcare. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2012 and soon leveraged an analyst role into a management position, building a team to steward the system’s rapid growth. He credits Mary Free Bed for not only the excellent care that enabled him to return to a productive life, but for believing in a former patient enough to make a CFO out of him! “About 80% of my colleagues—as in many healthcare organizations—are women,” says Ryan. “They’re innovative business experts, compassionate caregivers and lead by example in everything they do. I often say my role is simply to support them, because they’re doing the real work of taking care of patients.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Shannon Cohen, Inc.
Brilliant Woman of the Year

Shannon Cohen is a high-level consultant, founder and author of two books: It’s Normal to Shake as You Soar and Tough Skin, Soft Heart: A Leadership Guide to Growing Stronger, Better, and Wiser. She is the Founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., a company that curates products, spaces and experiences that nourish human souls. Her products have been featured at Target, Meijer and West Elm and her Tough Skin, Soft Heart podcast has subscribers spanning 12 countries. Shannon is the founder of the global Rockstar Woman™ Brunch Experience, serving 600 women annually, and for the past two years, Shannon has been named one of the 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan. Shannon remarks, “My life’s work not only centers [around] the career advancement and wellness of women in leadership, but it creates safe spaces for women to gather and discuss openly what they navigate behind their titles, smiles and roles.” Personally, Shannon is a proud mom and is currently celebrating 13 years of “I do” with the love of her life!

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Veverly Austin Enterprises | Confident Wear
Brilliant Mentor

“One of the key motivating factors that drives me to mentor is that I never had one and always desired one,” says Veverly Austin. Veverly’s passions have manifested into several pursuits, including: Girl, Get Your Fight Back, Inc., which equips women and teen girls to regain control of their lives, mind, body and spirit; Rock’n the Runway GR, a fashion show with over 600 attendees, pampering breast cancer fighters and survivors, in support of breast cancer awareness in the urban community; and Confident Wear Boutique, an online and brick-and-mortar store where Veverly serves as the owner and designer. In every pursuit, Veverly is a mentor, offering leadership training and encouraging self-care. Veverly says, “Part of my discovered purpose in life is to serve others as I help them discover their purpose and unlock the valuable potential inside of them.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Revive & Thrive Project
Brilliant Tenacity

Wendy has a master’s degree in recreation administration from Aurora University and a passion for youth development. After seeing the need for youth to have healthy eating skills, she made a career change and gained a second master’s degree in holistic nutrition. Wendy is devoted to health and wellness. In 2015, she launched Revive & Thrive, which provides free home-delivered meals to those facing health crises and mentors teens who learn a variety of life skills while volunteering with the organization. Improving health in our community is Wendy’s passion. When it comes to challenges, Wendy says, “I accept the problem and embrace the challenge, and my desire to move past it helps me find a way that I didn’t even know was possible. Obstacles have hidden lessons and blessings waiting to be discovered.”

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Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Brilliant Emerging Leader

Yadira Garza-Malone is the daughter of two immigrant parents and mother to her 6-year-old son, Kamil. Yadira lives by the values instilled by her parents: work hard even if no one is watching, honor your family, value education, take pride in your roots and be authentic. Yadira started her professional career as a banker and was driven to support small businesses. It is her passion and performance that led to an opportunity to work at the Grand Rapids Chamber, where she started as a Membership Engagement Manager and now leads a team as the Director of Membership. Her goal in this position is to oversee how Chamber members, especially diverse businesses, tap into resources. Yadira attributes this honor to her recently deceased dad from whom she learned, “the importance of treating the people you lead with humility and respect.” Yadira remarks, “... he would always tell me to treat everyone equally … and that as a leader, people will follow and trust you based on how you make them feel.”