The Grand Rapids Chamber is excited to announce the selection of 41 community leaders who will participate in the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2025.
The Leadership Grand Rapids program, or LGR, is truly one-of-a-kind, gathering a committed group of leaders each year to participate in an intense 10-month professional leadership training focused on systems thinking to tackle real issues facing our local community.
“As a Leadership Grand Rapids graduate myself, I know the importance of bringing together a diverse group of individuals to learn, grow, and become community trustees,” said Rick Treur, Director of Talent & Leadership for the Grand Rapids Chamber. “We’ve already seen the impact that other LGR alumni have had, and I believe that this group will undoubtedly join the network of alumni who become passionate about creating systems-level change.”
Each year, the cohort is selected from a competitive pool of applicants that span a diverse network of backgrounds, specializations, and industries to bring together a class that is uniquely special and capable of confronting complex problems from all directions. This approach to the programming is meant to foster community leaders who will leave the class with a community-focused mindset that creates a lifelong commitment to creating a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for all.
LGR has proudly been operating in the Grand Rapids community since 1985, and in that time has created a strong group of almost 1,500 alumni who work toward improving our community at all levels.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is honored to sponsor Leadership Grand Rapids again this year,” said Joe Hune, Vice President, West Michigan & UP. “We are committed to supporting the next generation of talent and leaders who will support the vibrancy and strength of our community for years to come.”
Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2025:
- Adam Holka, Director of Operations, Sonder CPA
- Ashley Landis, Senior Global Future Talent Partner, Jacobs Engineering
- Ben Cammenga, Captain, Kent County Sheriff’s Office
- Brian Monette, Recruiting Manager, HexArmor
- Chris Zull, Transportation Practice Leader, Progressive Companies
- David Rietema, Sales Strategy Lead, Amway North America
- David Shields, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advocacy, West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC)
- E.B. Sonheim, Director of Marketing, Feyen Zylstra
- Eleanor Moreno, Strategy Manager, Kent County Food Policy Council
- Eman Jacksi, Associate Branch Director – Community Engagement, Bethany Refugee and Immigrant Services
- Gregg Hampshire, Executive Director, Creston Neighborhood Association
- Jamecia Garrett-Thomas, Manager of Quality and Audit, Blue Care Network
- Jessi Goldner, Director of Strategic Engagement, Waséyabek Development Company LLC
- Jon Reimink, Senior Project Manager, Wolverine Building Group
- Karla Amaya-Leone, Realtor & Founding Partner, Edison Brokers + Co
- Karmen Johnson, Executive Director, Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach
- Kendrick Heinlein, President & CEO, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
- Laura Aikens, Vice President for University Development, Grand Valley State University
- Laurel Joseph, Director of Transportation Planning, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
- Layla Aslani, Planning Project Manager, City of Grand Rapids
- Leah Ortiz, President & CEO, Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County
- Lisa Cooper, President, Cooper People Group
- Lisa Wideman, President & CEO, Meals on Wheels Western Michigan
- Liz Balck, Policy Strategist, ACLU of Michigan
- Lorenzo A. Bradshaw, Elementary Principal, Kentwood Public Schools
- Matt Donahue, Supply Chain Manager, Van Andel Institute
- Melissa Kamara Liggins, Senior Director of Community Affairs, Corewell Health
- Monse Anleu, Volunteer & Community Engagement Specialist, Amway
- Nick Nykerk, President, Lakewood Construction
- Norina Cadili, General Manager, JW Marriott Grand Rapids
- Patrick Scheffers, Vice President of Commercial Banking, Huntington Bank
- Rachel Gray, Executive Director, Hello West Michigan
- Ryan Gajewski, Vice President, Truscott Rossman
- Salina Bishop, Chief Development Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan
- Sarah Zevalkink, Senior Director of Talent & Culture, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Spencer Schultze, Chief Financial Officer, Cascade Die Casting Group
- Stephanie Sheler, Executive Director, CASA of Kent County
- Tanell Hills, Senior Community Liaison, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Theron Barbour, Vice President of Commercial Banking, Independent Bank
- Tiffany Clarke, Owner & Grant Writer Extraordinaire, Igneous Consulting
- Winsome Kirton, Founder, Heard.io
“The selection process for our Leadership Grand Rapids program is very intentional because these are individuals who have the opportunity to shape the future of our region,” said Rick Baker, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber. “Year after year, the alumni who graduate from this program go on to do great things, and I’m excited to see what the class of 2025 will accomplish for our community throughout their LGR journey.”
Empower your employees and invest in their success. Learn more about the Chamber’s full suite of Talent Development programs here: https://grandrapids.org/overview/
