CLASS OF 2012

Building on her experience as a corporate trainer, Suzann has combined keen insights, passion and a

genuine desire to help people into a thriving executive coaching and leadership development firm. For

more than 15 years, her expert coaching has been just the motivation and support hundreds of leaders,

entrepreneurs and teams have needed to meet their objectives.

Suzann is a certified business coach and holds a Professional Coach Certification (PCC). She is

accredited with the International Coaches Federation and has a bachelor’s degree in business with a

double major in Marketing and Management and has an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Her

professional affiliations include Corporate Coach University, an international coach-training organization,

where she is an instructor. She is a Certified Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) and a Certified Values Analyst

(CPVA). She’s an active member of Inforum both as a presenter and a member of the programming

committee.

SUZANN FOERSTER

FACILITATOR

Barbara Rapaport is an independent consultant who has extensive experience working with for profit and nonprofit organizations in the following areas: Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Strategic Planning and Capacity-building, Organizational Culture Assessment and Transition, Performance Management Systems Design, Organizational Structure and Succession Planning, Employee Engagement and Instructional Design Embedded in her consulting philosophy is the desire to transfer some of her capabilities to the Client’s organization. This optimizes the likelihood that following the engagement, the Client can apply these capabilities on their own. She uses coaching practices, in combination with her skills as a facilitator, to create an environment within which the “answers in the room” are allowed to surface in support of the most effective performance outcomes. During her career, Barbara has demonstrated organizational consulting capabilities within Fortune 500 environments, government, education, health care, as well as in the nonprofit sector. Her work within the nonprofit sector has also given her the opportunity to help guide numerous organizations through a wide range of strategic planning initiatives that incorporate critical leadership development components. She has led a year-long research activity associated with Louis Harris and Associates and a global culture analysis that represented 14,000 employees worldwide. Barbara is one of a select group of individuals certified to coach executives and leaders using the Overcoming Immunity-to-Change Executive Coaching Process™ authored by Dr. Robert Kegan and Dr. Lisa Lahey. This process helps individuals and groups uncover and make progress in overcoming substantive hidden barriers to change. She also is certified by the Hay Group (Boston, MA) to administer the Emotional Competency Inventory™, a 360º survey instrument designed to assess emotional intelligence and The Leadership Circle Profile™, a 360º survey instrument designed to assess a wide range of reactive (barrier-producing) and creative (potential-unleashing) leadership competencies. Barbara is a guest lecturer at University College Cork, Ireland’s Graduate Program in Business Economics and Western Michigan University’s Graduate School of Education.

BARBARA RAPAPORT

FACILITATOR

Zakiah Almani is a National Sales Account Manager at TransCorr National Logistics, a large full

service logistics provider. In 2004 she graduated from Central Michigan University with a dual

major in Marketing and Logistics Management. She also completed the Grand Rapids Chamber

of Commerce Emerging Leaders Series this past year and is currently a volunteer facilitator at

the Kids Food Basket. Challenges, never being satisfied with average, and professional

growth are what drive her professionally. During her down time you will find her playing legos

and pirates with her son, planning her upcoming wedding, or playing soccer.

ZAKIAH ALMANI

Sarah Amaral currently works as the Emergency Services Project Manager for the American Red Cross

of West Michigan. She grew up in the small town of East Freetown, Massachusetts, a mere twenty miles

from Bridgewater State University where she studied Mathematics and Secondary Education. After

becoming a certified teacher, Sarah followed her passion for humanitarianism and traveled to

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to serve her first AmeriCorps term with the American Red Cross. While on

disaster deployment in Atlanta in 2009, Sarah met and formed connections with some of the

AmeriCorps members and those bonds later led to a joint service project in West Virginia. These

friendships have maintained and are ultimately what led Sarah to her second term of service in Grand

Rapids.

Moving once again, this time even further from her mother, step-father, older brother and the place she

called home, Sarah jumped head first into finding out what the city of Grand Rapids had to offer. After

becoming a member of the Young Nonprofit Professionals and the Grand Rapids Young Professionals,

she couldn’t believe how many budding opportunities this city presented. So, as an avid Boston Bruins

fan, she mustered up the strength to look past the red and white of Red Wings territory when the

American Red Cross proposed an opportunity she couldn’t pass by. This decision was well worth it and

Sarah couldn’t be happier to be a permanent member of the Grand Rapids community and the Red

Cross family. Looking back on the incredible impact that one small networking event in West Virginia

had on her life already, Sarah is excited to see where her new connections, leadership roles, service

opportunities, and adventures will take her next.

SARAH AMARAL

Kim Bode, Principal of 834 Design, received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Grand

Valley State University while employed by the University. She rapidly worked her way up the

administrative ranks. By 2002, Bode was with a GVSU startup entity, the West Michigan Science and

Technology Initiative where she served as WMSTI’s Director of Marketing.

Bode is an advanced communicator with extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing

communications, media relations, event planning, and social media.

In 2008 & 2010, Bode was featured as a Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in addition to

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Influential Women. She is also a graduate of the Center of Community

Leadership’s Inside Grand Rapids program and a 2009 Athena award nominee.

In the past several years, Bode began receiving numerous speaking requests from corporations who

followed her on social media, to discuss strategy, engagement, measurement and policy. She has spoken

for the Michigan Association of CPAs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Kalamazoo Chamber

Business Expo and more.Bode also hosts the monthly radio show “Your Biz, Your Town” with WGVU’s

Shelley Irwin on 88.5 FM.

Kim’s drive and ambition, added to her desire to deliver the best quality product to her client make her

one of the most in-demand professionals in Grand Rapids. She currently resides in the Grand Rapids

community with her three dogs, Bentley, Jimmy, Murphy and her husband, Josh.

Board Member, Susan G. Komen West Michigan, Chair of Marketing Committee

Founding Member, Vignette Marketing

American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Social Media Chair

KIM BODE

As Associate State Director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Ms. Deamud is responsible for creating and implementing communication strategies for the state headquarters and the 11 region network. Her responsibilities also include assisting with long-range planning and program development and assisting the State Director with all operations of the SBTDC, managing media and event coordination with the governor’s office, and maintaining key statewide relationships with stakeholders, partners, clients and media. Jennifer is an accomplished communications professional with over 17 years of communication, marketing and strategic planning experience. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Master of Science in Communications and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Jennifer is a member of the Athena Planning Committee, Blast! Count Me In Accelerator Program Committee, World Trade Week West Michigan Committee, Inforum West Michigan Chapter, and was a committee member for LZ Michigan – Welcome Home Vietnam Vets.

JENNIFER DEAMUD

Rebecca serves as the Director of Business Development for Mindscape at Hanon McKendry. Rebecca works with clients to understand their online goals, objectives and how they relate to their entire marketing plan. As a part of the MINDSCAPE executive team she also is part of the strategic planning process, corporate initiatives and represents the company in many local organizations including the AAF, AMA of West Michigan and GROW. She has experience with traditional marketing; account management and brand management, ensuring client website plans and digital marketing strategies are integrated with their traditional marketing efforts. She is a graduate of Davenport University with a B.A. in Marketing and minor in International Business. Clients count on Rebecca to provide strategic insights on how their websites will generate additional leads, sales and awareness, as well as utilizing sites to find efficiencies and measurement of marketing efforts.

REBECCA DUTCHER

Heidi Hendricks has worked for Huntington Bank since 2004, as a Retail Banker for the first 3 years in

her banking career and as a Commercial Banker since 2007. Heidi currently holds the position of

Commercial Portfolio Manager and her job responsibilities include servicing, deepening, and retaining

Commercial Banking relationships through active management of credit quality and underwriting quality,

while working directly with clients to fulfill lending needs. Heidi obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in

Business Administration from Michigan State University (2004), and her Master’s in Business

Administration from Grand Valley State University (2008). Outside of her career, Heidi serves on

planning committees for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and CASA of Grand Rapids

(Court Appointed Special Advocates), in addition to serving as a Board Member for the West Michigan

Risk Management Association. Heidi lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband Paul Hendricks and

their 1-year old daughter, Madeline.

HEIDI HENDRICKS

Kristin Linscott currently serves as the Director of Endowed and Planned Giving in the University

Development division at Grand Valley State University. Prior to her current role at GVSU, Kristin

served as a legislative staff assistant in the State of Michigan House of Representatives, and then began

her career in the non-profit sector in development roles at Heart of West Michigan United Way, the

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation/Spectrum Health Foundation and, upon arriving at GVSU

in 2010, as Alumni Leadership Giving Officer for the Development division. She obtained a B.A. in

Political Science from the University of Michigan in 2001 and recently graduated with her M.P.A., with a

focus on Nonprofit Leadership and Management, from Grand Valley State University. In her spare time,

Kristin enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, working out, and volunteering her time

with various community organizations.

KRISTIN LINSCOTT

Amy is a highly motivated individual that strives for excellence in and out of the office. She graduated

from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

with a concentration in Human Resource Management. During her time at Aquinas she was able to gain

the knowledge, dedication and determination that were needed for her to excel in a business

environment. Also, while at Aquinas she found the true meaning of being an active participant in the

community and what it means to give back.

Before graduating, she completed two internships as a Human Resources Assistant in Grand Rapids and

Chicago where she helped with all aspects within a Human Resources Department. This is where she

found her passion for recruiting and finding qualified professionals to meet the client’s needs and

requirements. She also has two years experience as a sales/marketing representative with a family-

owned business where she created rapport with clients and customers and uses that in her current

position.

Currently, she is the Managing Partner at Management Business Solutions in Downtown Grand Rapids,

MI. She designs customized staffing solutions for unique opportunities to meet the specific needs of her

clients that include non-profits, small businesses and large corporations. She continues to build

relationships, develop new business and places candidates in their dream careers.

She is currently married and lives in Grandville, Mi. She is very active in the Grand Rapids community

and serves on many boards and committees. She is currently an active board member for the Grand

Rapids Young Professionals and is currently the Vice President. She is also the Board Secretary for the

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, she is a board member for the American Red

Cross. She also volunteers with local organizations that include Hope Network, Disability Advocates of

Kent County, Women’s Resource Center and Our Communities Children to help with employment

opportunities. In 2010 she received the Grand Rapids Business Journal ‘40 under 40’ Award and was a

nominee for the ATHENA Young Professional Award.

AMY MARSHALL

Donna is the West Michigan Team In Training Campaign Manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma

Society. She excels in helping team members achieve lifelong goals of completing half and full marathons,

triathlons and century bike rides while raising funds to find a cure for blood cancers. Prior to joining the

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donna was an auditing supervisor for Edgepark Medical, heading up the

insurance denial claims department. Previously, she held numerous management positions within

ARAMARK Corporation where she was awarded the Mid-West Rookie Manager of the Year and acted

as lead facilitator/trainer for ARAMARK’s Mid-West Catering Workshop. Donna co-planned the Taste

of East Grand Rapids and serves on the East Grand Rapids High School Lacrosse Board as the Team

Wellness Coordinator. She received her B.S. from Widener University and resides in East Grand Rapids

with her husband and two teenage sons.

DONNA MESSINA

In 1996, Sara started her architectural career at Fletcher Architects in Maryville, TN. She worked on small residential projects with hand drafting, and a school remodel/sidewalk project. Sara’s next employer was Tuck Hinton Architects of Nashville, TN. In addition to working on projects like the Brooks Fiberoptics Headquarters and Country Music Hall of Fame, this is where Sara was first introduced to the AIA organization. THA encouraged AIA activities, and Sara took advantage of the opportunities of the professional organization. Furthering her own professional experience as well as contributing to the profession, Sara spent the next three years at Stacy & Asebrook, Ltd. of Columbus, OH (now Asebrook & Company). She completed the IDP requirement in 2001. She also became more actively involved in AIA, co-chairing the high school design committee. This committee organized a 3-Saturday charrette for more than 100 high school students as an introduction to the design and architectural professions. Sara spent five years at TMP in Portage, Michigan. Her projects included a multitude of learning institutions, as referenced in her resume. She also participated in the AIA Southwest Michigan in a variety of roles. Since joining Progressive AE in 2007, Sara has been a key player in both projects and internal processes. Major clients include Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Lake Michigan College. Always ready to seize an opportunity to share her expertise, especially when she can combine it with a learning opportunity for others. Her expertise in project management has benefitted both clients and our staff. She championed the initiative to shift to web-based project communications. She has led training sessions to share her vast knowledge of available technology to support paperless communications. Sara has been actively involved in Progressive AE Board of Shareholders’ Committees, including the areas where she has the most passion: learning and sustainability, and currently is the Chairperson for the Learning Committee. In 2009 she was a leader of Progressive AE’s involvement in Canstruction, a competition between teams of architects, engineers, and students to design and build structures made entirely from canned foods in an effort to raise awareness on hunger in the Grand Rapids community. All of the canned food was then donated to local pantry services.

SARA VANDERVEEN

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Alyssa has watched an uninspiring town grow and flourish into a city

that’s alive and pulsating with energy. But she believes the best is yet to come…

Alyssa and her husband live in Grand Rapids and don’t want to just watch these exciting changes take

place; they want to be an active part of them. She believes strongly that we can be leaders within our

communities - advocating change and helping to create a healthy, vibrant, entertaining, and inviting place

for both residents and visitors.

Alyssa spends much of her time volunteering for local non-profit organizations including Kids Food

Basket, Special Olympics MI Area 11, United Way Schools of Hope, and the National Kidney

Foundation, serving on several of their committees.

Alyssa is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Pioneer Construction, a large commercial

construction company in Grand Rapids. She considers herself very blessed to work for an amazing

family-owned company that cares about its employees, clients, the community and the environment.

ALYSSA VENEKLASE

Lisa is a skillful public relations and marketing manager with agency and corporate experience implementing strategic marketing communications campaigns. She currently serves as the Marketing Director for Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, a statewide law firm with 92 attorneys and offices in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City. In this role, she is responsible for growing market share through strategic branding, business development, and public relations efforts. A few of her accomplishments during her time with the firm include instituting industry teams to achieve market penetration, launching a new brand, executing business development coaching, and increasing awareness of the law firm during its recent move to the historic Flat Iron Building in downtown Grand Rapids through a comprehensive public relations campaign. Lisa’s previous experience includes working for some of West Michigan’s top PR firms where she developed key relationships with national and regional reporters, pitched stories, served as a spokesperson, and produced winning media events. She has consulted numerous clients in crisis communications and provided media training. In addition, Lisa worked on several book publication projects where she coordinated lucrative national media coverage, book signings, and speaking engagements on behalf of the authors.

Lisa has volunteered with organizations such as Women’s Resource Center, Expanded Learning Opportunities Initiative, March of Dimes, Chiara’s Quiet Grace Foundation, and the American Heart Association. She is currently the secretary of the board of the American Marketing Association of West Michigan, member of the Legal Marketing Association, and co-founder of Vignette, a small-group format marketing discussion organization. In 2001, Lisa was part of the team that took home a “Gold Award—Public Relations Excellence” from the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America. Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Grand Valley State University. She is married to Cliffton, a professor at Muskegon Community College. They currently live in Rockford with their two children.

LISA YOUNG

CLASS OF 2012 CONTACT LIST

Zakiah Almani Transcorr National Logistics 3258 Rogue River Rd Belmont, MI 49306 (616) 295-8290 zalmani@transcorr.com Sarah Amaral American Red Cross 1210 Palmer Court NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (616) 456-8661 x.3411 samaral@ggr.redcross.org Kim Bode 834 Design & Marketing 834 Arlington St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (616) 299-2677 kim@834design.com Jennifer Deamud Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center 510 W. Fulton St Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 331-7480 deamudj@gvsu.edu Rebecca Dutcher Mindscape at Hanon McKendry 25 Ottawa Ave SW, Ste 600 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 734-0574 Rebecca@mindscape-hm.com

Heidi Hendricks Huntington National Bank 50 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 235-5944 heidi.hendricks@huntington.com Kristin Linscott Grand Valley State University 301 Michigan St NE, Ste 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 331-6534 linscokr@gvsu.edu Amy Marshall Management Business Solutions 77 Monroe Center NW, Ste 301 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 855-6398 amy@mgmtbsolutions.com Donna Messina The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2247 Brighton Dr SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (616) 957-1840 donna.messina@LLS.org Sara VanderVeen Progressive AE 1811 4 Mile Rd NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 447-3349 sara.temple@yahoo.com

Alyssa Veneklase Pioneer Construction 550 Kirtland St SW Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 247-6966 alyssa@pioneerinc.com Lisa Young Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, Attorneys at Law 100 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 458-3636 lyoung@shrr.com

Staff: Suzann Foerster Leadership Coaching (616) 560-7475 suzannfoerster.com suz@suzannfoerster.com Barbara Rapaport President Real-time Perspectives, Inc. 2816 Bonnell SE East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (616) 485.5382 bnrapaport@comcast.net Jordan O’Neil Director Center for Community Leadership 111 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 771.0317 OneilJ@grandrapids.org Lizzie Williams Marketing Coordinator Center for Community Leadership 111 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 771.0334 WilliamsL@grandrapids.org

About the Center for Community Leadership The Center for Community Leadership is a resource of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce that challenges, engages, and enhances current and emerging leaders. Our portfolio of leadership programs explore and reveal the individual and collective talents of individuals from business, not-for-profit, and public service sectors. Mission The Center for Community Leadership will be the premier resource for identifying and addressing key leadership needs and responsible for mobilizing and energizing a diverse network of leaders accountable for creating a community of uncommon greatness. Vision The Center for Community Leadership will develop and engage an effective and diverse network of community trustees - leaders serving for the betterment of the community. Programs What CCL program might be next for you? Leadership Grand Rapids

In our 9-month community leadership development program you will grow personally and professionally while enhancing your leadership skills. Applicants selected for Leadership Grand Rapids join other current and emerging leaders from diverse disciplines to become immersed in the challenges and opportunities facing our community. You and other participants, ranging from executives to grassroots activists, become empowered with a comprehensive understanding of our community's social, cultural, civic, and economic issues. Along the way, you have opportunities to engage with area leaders in civic initiatives that shape the future of Greater Grand Rapids. Leadership Advantage An introspective and intense "graduate-level" program, Leadership Advantage exercises and expands your leadership and critical-thinking skills. The program removes the isolation many leaders feel and creates a forum for peer-to-peer exchange on relevant issues. Employing recognized experts, eight highly interactive half-day sessions provide knowledge, experiential activities, and personalized coaching to enhance your leadership acumen. If you're ready to take your leadership ability to the next level, or just want to find out more about the Leadership Advantage program, contact us today. Emerging Leader Series This five-session professional development series is designed for 20-something young professionals who seek to engage in our community through volunteerism and board service. 25 participants will meet to interact with key community leaders, network with a diverse group of peers, learn about unique initiatives that make Grand Rapids unique, and gain in professional development skills. The class will also feature a board training service program in conjunction with GVSU's Johnson Center for Philanthropy. For more information: www.cclgr.org