The Top 50 Grand Rapids Michigan Women Leaders of 2026
Grand Rapids has a way of punching above its weight: global design and manufacturing brands, a healthcare ecosystem that anchors talent and innovation, a deeply civic-minded philanthropic culture, and a business community that’s unusually good at collaborating across sectors. What’s especially striking right now is how many of the region’s most consequential moves-workforce pipelines, downtown investment, health equity initiatives, growth capital, and community-scale problem-solving-are being led (and re-led) by women.
Below is a ranked, editorial list of 50 of the most influential women shaping the Greater Grand Rapids region (Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Holland-Muskegon and surrounding West Michigan communities). It’s designed to be the kind of list professional women actually want to read: a mix of senior executives at large organizations, founders/owners, and leaders in law, finance, healthcare, construction, education, tech, and philanthropy-with a strict cap of no more than two leaders from any one organization (and in practice, almost always just one).
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#1 Tina Freese Decker
Few roles shape West Michigan’s quality of life (and economic gravity) like the top job at its flagship health system. As President & CEO of Corewell Health, Tina Freese Decker sits at the intersection of clinical care, regional workforce needs, and community health outcomes-a trifecta that impacts employers, families, and the next generation of talent. Her influence is felt in how care is delivered at scale, how partnerships form across the region, and how health systems show up as civic anchors-particularly in a market where healthcare is one of the largest drivers of jobs and innovation.
#2 Andi Owen
West Michigan is a global design capital, and MillerKnoll is one of its most visible standard-bearers. As CEO, Andi Owen leads a company whose products shape workplaces worldwide-while sustaining deep roots in West Michigan’s manufacturing and design talent base. Her impact goes beyond a single headquarters: it helps define how the region is perceived globally (as a place where design, industry, and high-value manufacturing converge).
#3 Stacie R. Behler
If you want to understand how corporate citizenship actually works in West Michigan, follow the public affairs and philanthropic infrastructure behind major employers. Stacie Behler’s role spans policy, community partnerships, and charitable investments through Meijer’s public affairs function and the Meijer Foundation-meaning she helps determine where corporate attention, resources, and advocacy flow across the region. In a community where private-sector leadership and civic outcomes are tightly linked, that’s real influence.
#4 Julie Leonard
Regional financial institutions often determine whether business growth feels possible-or painfully constrained. As CEO of Lake Michigan Credit Union, Julie Leonard influences access to capital, consumer financial well-being, and the health of the small-business ecosystem that powers neighborhoods and main streets. In practical terms: when households feel secure and entrepreneurs can finance growth, entire regions get more resilient.
#5 Philomena V. Mantella
Talent is the region’s renewable resource, and universities are the engines. As President of Grand Valley State University, Philomena Mantella shapes the workforce pipeline in everything from healthcare and engineering to business and public service. Her influence shows up in employer partnerships, talent retention, innovation capacity, and whether the region can keep pace as industries evolve.
#6 LaSandra Gaddy
In West Michigan, philanthropy isn’t peripheral-it’s part of the operating system. As President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, LaSandra Gaddy helps steer philanthropic capital toward community priorities-often convening stakeholders who don’t typically share the same table. That means influence over what gets funded, what gets measured, and how long-term change is sustained.
#7 Shelley Padnos
Manufacturing and industrial services don’t always get the spotlight, but they are foundational to the region’s economy-and to the “circular economy” movement that’s reshaping materials and sustainability. As a top leader at PADNOS, Shelley Padnos represents influence in a sector where logistics, supply chains, and industrial innovation directly affect regional competitiveness.
#8 Monica King
Economic development leadership looks different when it’s tied to sovereign tribal enterprise and long-term portfolio strategy. As CEO of Gun Lake Investments, Monica King influences investment decisions, business partnerships, and regional development outcomes-often in ways that compound over years, not quarters. It’s a model of influence built on disciplined capital allocation and community impact.
#9 Meredith Bronk
The built environment is strategy-especially in a region investing in housing, education, and downtown growth. As President & CEO of Progressive Companies, Meredith Bronk helps shape the physical places where people work, learn, gather, and build wealth. Her influence shows up in the projects that become “new landmarks,” and in the standards set for how development serves community needs.
#10 Pamella Roland DeVos
Pamella DeVos’s influence is distinctive: it blends entrepreneurship, creative industries, and strategic philanthropy. In a region where cultural institutions, education, and community initiatives often rely on catalytic giving and long-range vision, leaders who can connect brand-building, networks, and investment in people matter a great deal.
#11 Tasha Blackmon
Healthcare influence isn’t only held by large systems; it’s also held by community-based organizations that meet people where they are. As President & CEO of Cherry Health, Tasha Blackmon leads a model centered on access, primary care, and community health needs-critical in a region working to reduce disparities and strengthen outcomes at neighborhood scale.
#12 Patti VanDort
Regional hospitals are economic anchors and community trust centers-especially outside the urban core. As CEO of Holland Hospital, Patti VanDort influences access, quality, and the long-term health infrastructure for the lakeshore communities tied to the Grand Rapids economy. That ripple effect reaches employers, families, and the region’s attractiveness to relocating talent.
#13 Camila Noordeloos
Startups don’t scale without the right kind of capital-and without partners who understand the Midwest’s strengths. As a General Partner at Grand Ventures, Camila Noordeloos shapes which founders and ideas get the region’s “yes,” mentorship, and follow-on momentum. Her influence is felt not only in investment choices, but also in how ambitious founders learn to build companies here instead of leaving.
#14 Sue Schweim Tellier
Federal contracting, logistics, and defense-adjacent work can be quiet power in a regional economy: high standards, durable demand, and strong job creation. As President and owner of JetCo Federal, Sue Schweim Tellier represents leadership in a sector where execution excellence and compliance capability translate into stable growth-and where women leaders remain underrepresented.
#15 Tanya Gibbs
Law is leverage-especially when it supports business growth, governance, and community outcomes. Tanya Gibbs’ work at Mshkawzi Law places her at a crossroads of commercial strategy and Native/tribal legal expertise that’s increasingly important in the region’s economic development landscape. She’s also a visible example of how legal leadership can be both technically elite and community-grounded.
#16 Andrea “Dre” Wallace
Every region says it wants “more innovation”; fewer build it in a way that’s inclusive and real. Dre Wallace is known for founder-level leadership at the intersection of tech, entrepreneurship, and community-building-the kind of influence that helps shape who gets access to networks, opportunities, and visibility in the startup economy.
#17 Ginny Seyferth
Communications leaders shape what stories get amplified-and which organizations earn the trust to grow. Ginny Seyferth’s influence runs through the brands, institutions, and leaders who rely on strategic communications to reach customers, attract talent, and lead through change. In a region where reputation and relationships are powerful currencies, PR leadership can be a “force multiplier.”
#18 Kelly Springer
Manufacturing remains one of West Michigan’s defining strengths-and it takes strong leadership to modernize operations, build talent pipelines, and compete globally. As President & CEO of Metal Flow Corp., Kelly Springer represents influence in advanced manufacturing leadership, helping keep high-quality jobs and technical capability rooted in the region.
#19 Rachel Gorman
Regional economies don’t stop at city boundaries, and the Grand Rapids-Muskegon corridor is a real ecosystem. As President & CEO of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber, Rachel Gorman influences business climate, employer collaboration, and the connectivity between lakeshore growth and the broader West Michigan economy.
#20 Kate Pew Wolters
Culture is economic development, too-especially for talent attraction and downtown vitality. Kate Pew Wolters has been publicly recognized for her role in supporting and expanding the arts in West Michigan, including being honored with the Helen DeVos Legacy Award. Her influence is a reminder that strong regions invest not only in buildings and businesses, but in the creative life that makes people want to stay.
#21 Carol Van Andel
Carol Van Andel has translated lifelong service into strategic philanthropy that strengthens West Michigan’s nonprofits and accelerates community outcomes. Through hands-on leadership and convening power, she helps align partners and projects that make Grand Rapids more vibrant and economically resilient.
#22 Birgit Klohs
Birgit Klohs helped define modern economic development in Greater Grand Rapids by recruiting investment, supporting employers, and expanding the region’s job base for decades. Her ability to build partnerships across business and government has left a lasting competitive advantage that still benefits West Michigan today.
#23 Winnie Brinks
As Senate Majority Leader, Winnie Brinks brings pragmatic, people-first leadership that influences statewide policy affecting jobs, families, and the business climate. Her steady focus on issues like workforce opportunity and responsible governance gives Grand Rapids a strong, effective voice at the Capitol.
#24 Hillary Scholten
Hillary Scholten has strengthened West Michigan’s influence in Washington by pairing legal expertise with a practical, results-driven approach to constituent service. Her advocacy for regional priorities supports a stronger economy by elevating local needs in national decisions on infrastructure, investment, and opportunity.
#25 Lauren Davis
Lauren Davis leads Huntington’s West Michigan region with deep operational and commercial expertise that helps businesses secure the financial tools they need to grow. By expanding access to capital and investing in talent development, she supports job creation and long-term economic strength across the region.
#26 Katie Ferris
Katie Ferris delivers high-impact leadership in tax strategy and advisory, helping organizations navigate complexity with confidence and clarity. Her ability to build strong teams and trusted client relationships strengthens West Michigan’s business ecosystem and supports sustainable growth decisions.
#27 Krista Flynn
Krista Flynn has built a standout track record in commercial banking, leading teams that deliver financing and advisory support to growth-minded businesses across the Midwest. Her regional leadership helps companies expand responsibly, fueling investment, innovation, and quality jobs throughout Michigan.
#28 Tracey Hornbeck
Tracey Hornbeck leads Legacy Trust with disciplined stewardship and a client-first approach that sets a high bar for ethical, high-performing wealth management. Her blend of financial acumen and community-minded leadership helps families and institutions grow resources that power lasting local impact.
#29 Jody Owczarski
Jody Owczarski has modernized chamber leadership by launching member-focused initiatives that strengthen employers and connect talent pipelines to business needs. Her collaborative advocacy helps the region compete for growth while ensuring local companies have practical support to thrive.
#30 Sindia Narber
Sindia Narber leads DK Security with strong operational discipline and a service mindset that builds trust with clients across Michigan. By prioritizing professionalism and employee development, she raises industry standards while supporting stable career pathways in the region.
#31 Megan Feenstra Wall
Megan Feenstra Wall combines design excellence with community-centered practice, creating spaces that strengthen neighborhoods and reflect how people live and work. As a firm principal and industry leader, she champions inclusive, high-quality design that delivers lasting value to clients and the city alike.
#32 Jen Schottke
Jen Schottke is strengthening the region’s workforce by leading a training model that prepares students and career changers for high-demand construction careers. Her ability to build partnerships and scale real-world education directly supports employer needs and long-term community stability.
#33 Deidra Mitchell
Deidra Mitchell has driven impressive growth for a tribally owned enterprise by expanding its portfolio through disciplined operations and smart investment. Her leadership advances sustainable economic development while demonstrating how mission-aligned strategy can deliver significant regional impact.
#34 Kara Wood
Kara Wood helps move Grand Rapids from vision to reality by leading efforts that advance transformational public-private development projects. Her ability to coordinate stakeholders, financing, and community support makes catalytic growth possible and strengthens downtown vitality.
#35 Jennifer Owens
Jennifer Owens leads Lakeshore Advantage with a clear strategy for business attraction, expansion, and retention that supports sustained job growth and new investment. By pairing data-driven execution with strong relationships, she strengthens the region’s competitiveness and long-term prosperity.
#36 Dr. Leadriane Roby
Leadriane Roby leads Grand Rapids Public Schools with a clear focus on stronger student outcomes and systems that support educators and families. By improving readiness for college and careers, her work directly strengthens the future workforce that local employers and institutions depend on.
#37 Cindy Lotterman Schneider
Cindy Lotterman Schneider has helped shape downtown Grand Rapids’ hospitality scene by building enduring restaurant concepts that draw visitors, create jobs, and activate the city’s core. Her long-term commitment to service and entrepreneurial resilience makes her a standout force in the local small-business economy.
#38 Tami VandenBerg
Tami VandenBerg has strengthened Grand Rapids’ cultural economy by building beloved venues that support local music, entrepreneurship, and vibrant neighborhood life. Through her work in housing and community advocacy, she pairs business ownership with a clear commitment to inclusive growth and social impact.
#39 Vanessa Greene
Vanessa Greene is a leading voice for health equity and community well-being, guiding GRAAHI’s work to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. Her strategic leadership turns partnerships and advocacy into actionable programs that help create a healthier, more productive region.
#40 Raquel Guzman
Raquel Guzman has built a high-impact legal practice through relentless advocacy and strong business leadership as a founding partner of Avanti Law Group. Her work, paired with an entrepreneurial mindset, reflects how professional excellence can create opportunity and stability for clients across West Michigan.
#41 Jennifer Stocker
Jennifer Stocker is a trusted counselor to employers and a proven leader who guides complex workplace matters with clarity and sound judgment. As office managing partner, she helps grow a high-performing team that supports business confidence, risk management, and community engagement in Grand Rapids.
#42 Sara Armbruster
Sara Armbruster has led one of West Michigan’s flagship manufacturers through a pivotal period, guiding Steelcase’s strategy and operations amid major industry change and a landmark corporate transition. Her emphasis on innovation, people, and customer value has strengthened the company’s position and reinforced Grand Rapids’ reputation as a global workplace-design hub.
#43 Christina Keller
Christina Keller leads Cascade Engineering with an innovation mindset that keeps advanced manufacturing competitive while emphasizing long-term sustainability and community benefit. As CEO and chair, she shows how values-driven leadership can scale performance, create quality jobs, and strengthen the region’s industrial base.
#44 Bridget Clark Whitney
Bridget Clark Whitney has built Kids’ Food Basket into a highly effective model for children’s food equity that turns community support into measurable daily impact. By mobilizing partners and volunteers, she improves child well-being and strengthens the foundations for learning and long-term workforce readiness.
#45 Cheryl Schuch
Cheryl Schuch brings sharp strategic and financial leadership to Family Promise, strengthening programs that help families move from crisis to stability. Her ability to translate disciplined management into compassionate, high-performing service expands impact and supports a healthier regional economy.
#46 Michelle Van Dyke
Michelle Van Dyke has elevated United Way’s ability to mobilize partners and direct resources where they create the greatest community return. Her blend of executive experience and purpose-driven leadership helps reduce barriers to success and build a stronger, more resilient Grand Rapids workforce.
#47 Milinda Ysasi
Milinda Ysasi expands economic opportunity by leading Grow’s work to provide capital and coaching to entrepreneurs building the next generation of local businesses. Through her public service as a City Commissioner, she also helps shape policy that supports inclusive growth and neighborhood prosperity.
#48 Hannah Greening
Hannah Greening is redefining commercial real estate in Grand Rapids by building a boutique firm that champions small businesses, nonprofits, and mission-aligned developers. Her market insight and client advocacy help projects move forward thoughtfully, unlocking investment and strengthening local corridors.
#49 Mary-Anne Wisinski-Rosely
Mary-Anne Wisinski-Rosely has earned deep respect as a top office brokerage leader, guiding transactions that shape how organizations locate and grow across West Michigan. Her long-standing leadership and professional excellence strengthen the region’s commercial real estate ecosystem and help businesses make confident space decisions.
#50 Mimi Fritz
Mimi Fritz has turned the Downtown Market into a signature destination that supports entrepreneurs, food businesses, and neighborhood development year-round. Her steady leadership through major milestones and reinvention shows how place-based economic development can create jobs, drive tourism, and energize the city’s core.
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