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 - West Michigan Region, Huntington Bank
Woman of the Year
Lauren Davis has led the West Michigan team at Huntington Bank as Regional President since July 2022. With a remarkable journey fueled by a lifelong passion for banking—which persists as a male-dominated field—Davis has continually excelled, from her first role in retail banking to operations, risk management, finance and commercial banking, to her current role at the helm. Davis, who holds a B.B.A. in finance from CMU and an MBA from GVSU, strives to lead by example, empowering women to achieve their full potential while advocating for inclusivity and diversity.
A Northern Michigan native, Davis has dedicated nearly three decades to serving West Michigan’s financial landscape, showcasing expertise in sales, strategic expansion, and fostering top-tier talent. Her commitment to community impact is evident through her board positions at The Right Place, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids and King Milling, a family-owned business. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and mentorship with her former roles at YWCA and MWF. Additionally, Davis serves as the 2024 Chair for the Samaritas Be the Rock Gala, further exemplifying her dedication to community service.
She believes in leading with compassion, authenticity and resilience, and encourages other women to embrace their unique strengths, pursue their goals with confidence, take calculated risks, and strive for more than they think is possible—and to have fun while doing it.
Davis says, “Whether it’s mentoring young professionals, advocating for women’s leadership initiatives, or fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration within my organization, knowing that I have positively impacted the lives of others is immensely fulfilling. It’s important to me that I’m a part of supporting the next generation of women leaders who will continue to make a meaningful impact in our community.”
Founding Chief Executive Officer, STEM Greenhouse
Woman of the Year
Dr. Keli Christopher is a trailblazing leader and educator dedicated to advancing STEM education for students of color. As the Founder and CEO of STEM Greenhouse, she champions the belief that nurturing curiosity in STEM leads to flourishing children. The third Black woman globally to earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, her experiences fuel her drive to close the opportunity gap and diversify career paths for under-resourced youth.
Since STEM Greenhouse’s humble beginnings in 2014, Dr. Christopher has spent countless hours investing in the success of the girls and young women she teaches, whether it’s going to their basketball games, taking them on field trips or otherwise. What started as math clubs for girls at local libraries has grown into an organization that serves almost 1,000 students a year.
Dr. Christopher’s greatest accomplishments have been successfully advocating for change in philanthropic, educational and government systems, which in turn have resulted in more equitable funding for nonprofit organizations in our community. Her honors are many, including North Carolina A&T SU, Distinguished Alumni Award, the Nolan Groce Business Leadership Award, and the Dr. Melinda Sapp Legacy Award. Dr. Christopher’s work is a testament to the power of one person’s influence, transforming generations through education.
She shares, “All of my experiences—from being a little girl that struggled with her multiplication tables, to becoming valedictorian of Ottawa Hills High School, to the racism I experienced in graduate school, to losing my husband to cancer, and the challenges I faced leading a nonprofit—have all culminated to this point in time, where others can be blessed from the journey that I’ve been through. For someone to look at my journey and say it is deserving of honor is beyond anything I ever imagined.”
