Summer always ends too soon, but I’m looking forward to fall and the many exciting opportunities for celebration, connection, and learning that Inforum has available.
One that I’m especially excited about is the 20th West Michigan Capstone Dinner on November 20, 2025, where we’ll commemorate 20 years of helping women lead and succeed in West Michigan.
A special highlight will be a fireside chat with one of West Michigan’s outstanding women leaders—Andi Owen, President and CEO of MillerKnoll. Tiffany Eubanks-Saunders, Head of Diverse Segments for the Private Bank business segment of Bank of America, will lead the conversation, which will include an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
You can find more information and register here. This event is known for its connection, joy, and inspiration—we hope to see you there!
Our members also enjoy year-round opportunities through our affinity groups—member-led groups organized around shared interests.
We know that getting to know other women in business can feel difficult and sometimes intimidating. That’s why members have created these groups to ease the process for other members. Gathering around common interests in an informal atmosphere makes it easy.
If you’re not already an Inforum member, I invite you to join us and investigate these options:
- Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (in person): Focuses on creating opportunities for professional growth through developing leadership competencies and making strategic connections—all within a spirit of inclusion and support.
- Arts & Culture (in person): Plans activities throughout the year, including performances, art shows, live music, and more, with plenty of opportunities to network and socialize.
- Coffee Connections (virtual): Networking with other Inforum members who are interested in establishing and building professional relationships.
- Dinner (in person): Meet at a local restaurant to network with other Inforum members. Bring plenty of business cards.
- Emerging Professionals (in person and virtual): Brings together younger members who are looking to network, develop relationships, and overall look to better themselves in their personal and professional lives.
- Happy Hour (in person): Creates a “happy” environment in which to build personal and professional growth through building genuine relationships in a variety of ways and locations in Greater Grand Rapids.
- Lakeshore Lunch Affinity Group (in person): Join this group for a cup of coffee and make strategic connections with others who are interested in establishing and building professional relationships.
- Lakeshore Dinner Affinity Group (in person): The same as the lunch group—except it’s dinner.
- Lunch (in person): Feed your mind. Feed your stomach. Feed your network!
- ManufacturingNEXT (in person and virtual): An extension of our ManufacturingNEXT industry group, this group discusses industry matters, leadership development, and technical subjects pertinent to manufacturing, along with building strategic industry relationships and offering manufacturing facility tours.
- WeOwn Collective (in person): For women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
- Women of Wellness (virtual): This provides information, resources, and support for women around health and wellness issues.
- Words & Wine (virtual): A relaxed gathering to discuss recent reads, enjoy a lively interactive discussion, and suggest books for future meetings.
Membership information can be found here. More details about our affinity groups are here. Come join us!
Becky Wood is Vice President of Business Development and West Michigan Market Leader for Inforum. She can be reached at [email protected].
Courtesy of Inforum.
