Each year, Leadership Grand Rapids, also known as LGR, welcomes a class of leaders to take part in an intensive community and professional leadership experience. The program, founded on the principles of community connections, leadership skills, diversity, and systems thinking, takes monthly deep dives into key community issues and topics. As a result, participants have a chance to deepen their understanding of the Grand Rapids landscape and develop the broad and inclusive mindset needed for community stewardship. In short, LGR is the program that cultivates the development and network of a community trustee.
A community trustee is someone who passionately works to create great community for all, through their decisions, actions and influence. They embrace the ideals of pluralism, diversity, advocacy, and the responsibility of social capital, while remaining committed to continuously learn, connect, and lead.
LGR has proudly been operating in the Grand Rapids community for over 30 years, and in that time has created a strong group of alumni who work toward improving our community at all levels. These alumni are change-makers both in and out of the workplace. While we welcome the incoming LGR class of 2021, numerous uncertainties remain as we continue to navigate the effects of COVID-19. With the support of over 1,100 LGR alumni, we are confident this class will do so with a fierce resiliency.
Ciarra Adkins, City of Grand Rapids & Law Office of Ciarra C. Adkins
Angela Burke, Palladian West
Veverly Austin, Veverly Austin Enterprises & Confident Wear
Emily Babson, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Carol Bremer-Bennett, World Renew
Jamie Carnes, Special Occasions Event Rental & Design
Matthew Cook, Lake Michigan Credit Union
Charles Dewitt, Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Loic Dimithe, Miller Johnson Attorneys
Jamie Dionne, MLive Media Group
Tiffany Ewigleben, Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan
Angelica Ferrer, Kent County
Linda Gellasch, Community Media Center
Shaquanda Gordon, SS Consulting & Services
Wafa Haddad, Noor’s Heaven of West Michigan Services
Pamela Hoekwater, Legal Aid of Western Michigan
Derrel Jackson, Entrepreneurial Executive
Kenneth James, Grand Rapids Chamber
LaKiya Jenkins, LINC Up
Jessica Johns, The StoreHouse of Community Resources
Matthew Johnson, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Brianna Johnson, HR Collaborative
Heidi Kattula, East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Jason Loepp, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Admir Lugonjic, Baird
Lyndsay Martin, The Martin Group at Greenridge Realty, Inc.
Paola Mendivil, El Granjero Mexican Grill
Starr Morgan, Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center
Carrie Mull, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s
Dormica Oppenhuizen, Meijer
Angela Paasche, Saint Mary’s Foundation at Mercy Health
Robert Poel, Steelcase
Thomas Renner, Pennell CPA
Calli Schmid, Meijer
Mike Soltis, Priority Health
Lindsey Tilley, Amway
Dhaka Timsina, Bhutanese Community of Michigan, Farmers Insurance
Eric Van Duren, Spectrum Health
Matt Visser, Design Group International
Craig Wieschhorster, Grand Valley State University
Sarah Zuidema, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County
