MEDIA
KIMBERLY KRAUSE
Vice president, general manager WXMI, Grand Rapids
NONPROFITS
Kimberly Krause is no stranger to sales and marketing. She first started in the field at the age of 16, and since then, she has spent much of her career in sales through media. However, Krause took on a new challenge when she joined WXMI, a FOX affiliate and Tribune Media property, three years ago to become the station’s new vice president. Before FOX, she spent 21 years at rival TV station, WZZM-13, an ABC affiliate. She started as a local sales manager and was later promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. Krause worked for a year at WLAJ ABC 53 in Lansing. She spent her first six years after graduating college at WWMT Ch. 3 in the West Michigan market as an account executive and, later, a special projects manager.
SANDRA GADDY
CEO Women’s Resource Center, Grand Rapids
EDUCATION: Cornerstone University (B) FIRST JOB: Babysitting. My mom was a licensed child care provider and had a home daycare center. I was a trained assistant, so I had a lot of experience. FAVORITE QUOTE: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.” Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, first African American woman elected to Congress HOBBIES: Long walks listening to a favorite podcast, dancing and watching almost any sport, especially college football and women’s basketball BUCKET LIST: A modern-jazz dance duet with the great dancer, choreographer, producer and actress Debbie Allen
EDUCATION: Hope College (B) BOARDS: Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan and Michigan Association of Broadcasters FIRST JOB: Retail sales representative at an athletic footwear store INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” Steve Jobs LESSON LEARNED: Be confident in your decisions even knowing that you won’t always please everyone. FAVORITE CHARITY: Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan and the Humane Society of West Michigan
BONNIE NAWARA
CEO Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, Grand Rapids
Bonnie Nawara is the CEO of GROW, a Community Development Financial Institution and SBA-funded Women’s Business Center in Grand Rapids. A former business owner, she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by Grand Rapids Business Journal in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. In addition, she received the Remarkable Woman Award in 2012 from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development, The John H. Logie Neighborhood Business Champion Award from the Neighborhood Business Alliance in 2014 and was recognized by Center for Community Leadership as a 2015 Extraordinary Leader. In addition to small business ownership, Nawara spent six years as a planned giving officer for the American Cancer Society. For five years in a row she was named Top Fundraiser for the Great Lakes Division. She also spent seven years as parts manager for Freightliner of Grand Rapids — the only female parts manager in the country at that time.
Sandra Gaddy is the CEO of Women’s Resource Center, an organization founded in 1973 with the mission to equip women to achieve purpose, fulfillment and financial stability through meaningful employment. She previously served as vice president of advancement for Inner City Christian Federation, and chief communication and development officer for Mel Trotter Ministries. Prior to her nonprofit work, Gaddy spent 15 years in banking, including serving as vice president of business banking and wealth management. She has over 20 years of leadership experience and brings expertise in team development, strategic planning, forming collaborative partnerships and fund mobilization.
CHRIS PALUSKY
President, CEO Bethany Christian Services, Grand Rapids
EDUCATION: Grand Valley State University (B) INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “Life can only be understood backward but must be lived forward.” Soren Kierkegaard
72 THE GRAND RAPIDS 200
Chris Palusky is Bethany Christian Services’ fifth president, joining the organization in January 2018. He began his career at World Relief and most recently served as U.S. vice president of private funding and humanitarian and emergency affairs at World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization partnering with children, families and their communities to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice. He brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to Bethany, having implemented and established multisite teams that have flourished and grown to meet the needs of vulnerable populations around the world. As president and CEO, Palusky is developing long-term strategy and direction, leading innovative change, and building relationships and partnerships for one of the largest global Christian social services organizations. EDUCATION: Kennesaw State University (B), University of Reading (M) FIRST JOB: Dishwasher at a country club BEST ADVICE: Listen to as many perspectives as you can but, at the end of the day, make a decision TRAVEL DESTINATION: I have traveled to over 70 countries and lived in 23 of those. A favorite travel destination is tied between Beirut, Lebanon, and Oxford, England. FAVORITE CHARITY: Bethany Christian Services, of course! GRAND RAPIDS ATTRACTIONS: The cultural festivals and ArtPrize
