grand rapids chamber

Latina Connect / Latinas en Conexión

GR Chamber Promotes Jessie Stek to Director of Operations

Today, the Grand Rapids Chamber announced the promotion of Jessie Stek to Director of Operations.

Jessie joined the Chamber team in December 2018. Her role entails managing the Chamber’s collaborative office, assisting members in effectively using event spaces, conference rooms, and work areas within the Grand Rapids Chamber offices, and supporting the Chamber Board. With a passion for excellent service and helping others thrive, Jessie is dedicated to creating an environment that helps drive the Grand Rapids business community forward.

Over the course of her five years at the Chamber, Jessie has taken on a variety of responsibilities, including leading a complete redesign of the room rental program and preferred caterer process.

Jessie provided leadership through the Chamber’s office expansion, which added 5,000 square feet and nine new meeting rooms. Since the completion of the expansion in July 2023, utilization of the Chamber’s meeting rooms has more than doubled, with an average of 100+ room rentals monthly.

“Jessie has been instrumental in ensuring excellent member experiences when visiting the Chamber space,” said Kate Wezeman, Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations for the Grand Rapids Chamber. “She has grown our room rentals exponentially and always hustles to find optimal solutions for our guests. She is an example of someone who lives our Chamber values, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her growth on the team.”

As the Director of Operations, Jessie will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Chamber’s collaborative workspace and room rental utilization.

To send a congratulations or schedule a tour of the Chamber space, please contact Jessie Stek at jessie@grandrapids.org.

The Transformative Power of Human Connection

Reflections on the Leadership Lesson of Christo Brand, Mandela’s Prison Guard Turned Friend

Last week, the Grand Rapids Chamber hosted Christo Brand for a special leadership lesson breakfast to share his story of befriending Nelson Mandela, one of his former prisoners.

Throughout his stories, Brand highlighted the positive outcomes that are possible when human connections are made across differences.

Seeing One’s Humanity

Upon entering his profession as a corrections officer, Mr. Brand was told to see prisoners as the enemy, as terrorists who threatened their country, and to treat them accordingly. But Brand chose to see the prisoners in his care as human beings worthy of respect, affirming their humanity through small acts of kindness, which were received with gratitude by Nelson Mandela and his fellow prisoners.

Brand encouraged prisoners to pursue and further their education; and he observed the positive impact education had on Mandela’s life, even though Mandela was serving a life prison sentence.

A West Michigan Story

This observation resonated with my work in the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI), a bachelor’s degree program offered in partnership between Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary to incarcerated students in the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Through education, the CPI equips students and graduates to become leaders and positively impact their community; and because most CPI students are serving life sentences, they are transforming the prison community from the inside.

Christo Brand and Nelson Mandela exemplify the transformative power of human connection and education to bridge the divide across many areas of difference; and I’m grateful the Calvin Prison Initiative is among many people and organizations striving to make such tools accessible in the West Michigan community and beyond.

Learn more about CPI at an upcoming documentary screening, Behind Our Walls, which recently won the Best Documentary award at the Grand Rapids Film Festival.

35th Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration

The ATHENA Awards Celebration honors those who embody, encourage and promote the inclusion of women. Join us for an afternoon of celebration, inspiration, networking, and announcing our ATHENA award recipients.

About the Awards:

• The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an exceptional leader whose dedication to professional excellence, community service, and empowerment of women exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and mentorship.
• The ATHENA Young Professional Award is presented to a rising leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative.  They serve as a role model and improve the quality of life for others.
• The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes a company that intentionally fosters an environment for women to thrive. This organization is outstanding in their pursuit of supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders in every stage of their life and career.

Our Finalists:

ATHENA Leadership Award

• Shannon Cohen, Founder/CEO, Shannon Cohen, Inc.
• Jaime Counterman, Foundation Director, University of Michigan Health – West
• Tenisa Frye, Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise of West Michigan
• LaSandra Gaddy, President and CEO, Grand Rapids Community Foundation

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award

• Kelly Brown, Director of Operations, Green Giftz
• Carrie Machkouri, Integrated Education and Training Coordinator, Literacy Center of West Michigan
• Madyson Mansfield, HR Generalist, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority
• Amanda Rostic, Senior Project Specialist, Corewell Health
• E.B. Sonheim, Director of Marketing, Feyen Zylstra

ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award

• Huntington Bank
• SpartanNash
• W Talent Solutions

MEET THE FINALISTS >

Chamber Fall Classic

The Chamber Fall Classic brings together business & community leaders for a full day of golf at the beautiful Sunnybrook Country Club. Don’t miss your opportunity to join:

• 18 holes of golf
• Food sponsors on the course
• Pure Michigan weather
• Contest prizes and swag
• Countless connections

Why a Fall Classic? 
The Chamber Fall Classic is an opportunity for the business community to network with each other and enjoy beautiful West Michigan weather before the seasons turn.