Catherine Ripley—a trailblazing entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for women in technology and business—is the 2025 Brilliance Awards Woman of the Year.
Ripley comes from a long line of very strong women.
"I like to say that's where I get my courage, but it's really where I get my stubbornness," said Ripley, who has overcome the various decks of cards stacked against her throughout the years.
Whether it was moving out of her family home at 16, facing homelessness with her two daughters as a young single mother, or choosing to tackle starting a business in a male-dominated industry at 39 with no entrepreneurial experience, you could describe the path Ripley has walked as uneven cobblestone vs. smooth pavement. Regardless, she managed to forge ahead, having now created a life she's wildly proud of. As founder of Symplicity Communications, Ripley has secured landmark deals in the technology sector and nearly doubled her company's revenue in the past year alone.
"Through tenacity and a relentless commitment to growth, I have evolved Symplicity into a thriving, nationally recognized business that not only supports my family but also creates opportunities for my incredible team," Ripley shared. "Knowing that I've built a company where people can grow their careers, where women in tech can see leadership that looks like them, and where we continue to break new ground in CX, automation, government contracting, and technology solutions is an achievement I take immense pride in."
A defining moment in Ripley's journey is moving Symplicity Communications into the iconic space at 60 Monroe Center, a milestone that cements her company's deep commitment to Grand Rapids' business community. Having the building bear the Symplicity Communications name, Ripley said, marks a new era of growth and influence for both her company and the city.
"I encourage women to reject limitations imposed by others and to prove—first and foremost to themselves—that they are capable of anything they set their minds to," Ripley said. "When someone tells you that you can't, the best response is to show them you absolutely can. I use my own story—going from homelessness with my two daughters to building a successful technology company—as a testament that circumstances do not define your future ... your courage and perseverance do."
Ripley serves as a Board Member for Inforum and serves on the Technology Council of West Michigan, continuously advocating for women's leadership and innovation. She also hosts the Symplicity Conversations podcast, amplifying the voices of women in tech. Her dedication to excellence, integrity, and empowerment shapes a legacy of leadership that inspires others to rise above obstacles, embrace their potential, and redefine success on their own terms.
"Our legacy isn't the title that we had or the size of our businesses; our legacy is how many people we touch and how many people that we can lift up and push to be more," Ripley emphasized. "I hope my story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to step into your purpose, challenge the status quo, and create something truly meaningful."
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Jun/Jul '25 issue of West Michigan Woman.
