Grand Rapids Chamber selects next cohort of community trustees
The Grand Rapids Chamber is excited to announce the selection of 44 community leaders who will participate in the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2024.
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.
“Bringing together such a diverse group of individuals for a program of this nature has real potential to move the needle on key community issues,” said Monica Mendez, Director of Talent & Leadership Programs 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 drive 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 alumni who work toward improving our community at all levels.
Empower your employees and invest in their success. Learn more about the Chamber’s full suite of Talent Development programs here.
Meet the Class of 2024
The Grand Rapids Chamber is excited to officially introduce the newest members of the LGR network:
Peter Battey, Product Engineering Director, Steelcase, Inc.
Kary Bosma, Director of Operations – Calvin Prison Initiative, Calvin University
Michael Catching II, Membership Manager, Grand Rapids Art Museum
Breanna Challicombe, Regional Campaign Development Director, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Meg Chamberlin, Affiliated Consultant, Public Policy Associates
Ashley Chrysler, Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Benjamin Cochran, General Manager, Olvera Enterprises/Supermercado Mexico
Lyndsie Cole, Chief Deputy, Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Michelle Covington, Vice President of Advancement, ICCF Community Homes
Jennifer Drake, Ph. D., Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Grand Valley State University
Joe Dyer, President, DISHER
Jordoun Eatman, Vice President of Engagement and Inclusion, Experience Grand Rapids
Brandon Erhart, Regional Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Megan Erskine, CEO, Catherine’s Health Center
Yadira Garza-Malone, Director of Development, Grand Rapids Chamber
Regan Gibson, Partner, Varnum LLP
Hannah Greening, Managing Broker, Fancy Real Estate
Britt Hegarty-Darrow, Chief Financial Officer, West Michigan Partnership for Children
Raul Hernandez Guzman, Talent Development, Retention & Diversity Recruitment Manager, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Mei Hua, Managing Director, BDO LLP
James Hueseman, Production Coordinator, Nucraft
Sara Jorgensen, General Manager, Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown
Julie Kendrick, Senior Program Director, Dégagé Ministries
Kim Koeman, Global Manager of Social Innovation, Steelcase, Inc.
Thomas Lagone, Director of Fiscal Services, Kentwood Public Schools
Melissa Meitz, Director of Marketing and Referral Development, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Katherine Merideth, Laboratory Manager (DNA Unit), Michigan State Police – Forensic Science Division
Carly Munoz, Creative Services Director, WOOD TV8
Justin Noordeloos, General Manager, Ultra Tech Printing
Brooke Oosterman, Director, Housing Next
Patrick Parkes, Business Development Coordinator, Absolutely Accessible Kent, Disability Advocates of Kent County
Tyler Petersen, Controller, PROCARE Landscape Management
Melissa Powell Sheppard, Senior Interior Designer, Progressive AE
Peter Rigney, Business Intelligence Developer, Corewell Health
Buzz Seifert, Director Store Customer Experience, Meijer, Inc.
Kim Skeltis, APR, Owner, Blue Blaze Public Relations
Katy Tigchelaar, Director of Marketing & Events, West Michigan Sports Commission
Miloš Topić, Vice President for IT and Chief Digital Officer, Grand Valley State University
Latricia Trice, Founder & Principal Consultant, LTrice Consulting
Calvin Wiersma, Financial Advisor and Owner, Grand Wealth Management
Carrie Wilson, CEO, Freedom Construction and Consulting, Inc.
Patrick Witucki, Senior Purchasing Manager, HexArmor
Erik Wolenberg, Executive Director, Hope Network Foundation
