The Chamber is proud to recognize Candy Wilkes-Scheper of Afterthemove as 2019 Ambassador of the Year. “A true focus on member value and experience and fostering belonginess are two of the Chamber core values that immediately come to mind when reflecting on Candy’s work as a Chamber Ambassador. She has a way of making whoever she is speaking with feel like they are the most important conversation she is having that week,” said Mark Allen, Director of Business Services at the Grand Rapids Chamber. “Candy is always ready and willing to greet members and assist our staff at Chamber events and programs as well as member ribbon cutting celebrations.”
Candy is the owner of Afterthemove, which assists companies with recruitment and retention of their new employees by providing destination services for newly relocated families. They help them engage in their community and settle into the area through personal and customized services. Afterthemove believes getting connected to the services and resources that are important to the individual is essential for their successful move and transition to their new home. Afterthemove is dedicated to improving the relocation process for all families moving into the West Michigan area.
Upon learning of her recognition, Candy was thankful. “I want to start by thanking the Chamber for allowing me to be an Ambassador for them and I feel truly honored to be selected as the 2019 ambassador of the Year. It is not an award that I accept alone, however. It takes the whole council to make the Ambassador program work and I feel blessed to be able to work with such a group of individuals each day. Being able to meet and learn more about the businesses in the community through my work as an Ambassador has been very rewarding as well. This has been a great way for me to give back to the business community in which I work and live.”
Candy joined the Chamber Ambassadors in June of 2016 and has been the lead for the Member Celebrations & Ribbon Cuttings Ambassador Team. Her 2019 Ambassador accomplishments include attendance at 25 chamber events while volunteering at 9 and attending 46 out of 80 member ribbon cutting celebrations. Candy led the team to accomplishing 389 Ambassador appearances at Chamber events and worked with several new members to help them engage with their Chamber membership.
The Chamber is thankful to Candy for her commitment to be an Ambassador, and for always making members a priority through her Chamber networking and engagement.
To learn more about the Chamber’s Ambassador program, click here or contact Mark Allen at mark@grandrapids.org.
