517 Magazine September Issue

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B U S I N E S S

2021 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

HR reinventing

A N D

L I F E

PANDEMIC CHANGED THE SCOPE AND SCALE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Meet the Judges

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

A Q&A with Cinnaire’s Deborah V. Toby

BWL’S COMMITMENT TO DEI September 2021

Utility puts what it preaches into practice

Good for: Growth

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Visit msufcu.org/business for full business lending terms and conditions. MSUFCU employees, board members, and their families are not eligible to apply for the startUP loan. Visit msufcu.org/startup for full startUp Loan terms and conditions.

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publisher’s note

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Human Resourcefulness and the Pandemic

hings went sideways for many when the world seemed to shift on its axis with the shuttering of offices and the implementation of remote-work models; yet after the initial upheaval, most employees settled into pleasant routines that involved comfy pants (perhaps one of the biggest perks to come from the pandemic) and a firm knowledge of how to disable the Zoom camera.

However, when it came to things going topsy-turvy, few likely experienced more topsy or steeper turvy than human resources professionals.

The person or department responsible for making sure the trains run on time in the best of circumstances suddenly was facing a year-plus of unfinished tracks ahead.

Human resources has always been one of those “you-had-to-be-there” functions even in ideal times. Few outside of those who hold that job title fully comprehend the amount of heavy lifting that takes place behind the scenes. You get paid, get training, get the equipment needed to do your job, they keep you engaged, you receive recognition — and the list goes on. No one takes the time to think of the people frantically pushing the buttons and pulling the levers behind the curtain to make that day-to-day scene come to life so seamlessly and effortlessly.

A lot has been written about how successfully workers adapted to the pandemic shift we experienced. But what isn’t mentioned often enough is the sheer amount of additional workload human resources tackled just to make sure employees stayed engaged, kept productive and remained in a healthy mental space. It’s staggering to think about, especially since 1,000 different companies were doing it in 1,000 different ways and were calling off-the-cuff audibles that fell way outside the pages of any scripted playbook.

The resourcefulness of human resources through this strange journey is what allowed many organizations find their tracks and keep steaming steadily forward. We are dedicating this issue of 517 Magazine to all the unsung office heroes in human resources.

It’s time to step out from behind the scenes and into the center-stage spotlight.

517 Business and Life, Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2021.

Publisher Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz

517 Business and Life (USPS#020-807) is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, Mi 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan.

Managing Editor Mary Gajda mary@m3group.biz

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years.

Call (517) 203-3333 or visit 517mag.com to subscribe.

Postmaster: Send address changes to 517 Business and Life, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright @2021. 517 Business and Life. All rights reserved.

Editorial office: 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. 517mag.com

Creative Visionary Chad Hussle chad@m3group.biz Lead Editor Christopher Nagy Contributors Rich Adams Teece Aronin Metro Melik Kyle Dowling Mary Gajda Jessica Goodrich Erin Hagen Christopher Nagy Tedi R. Parsons Shelby Smith Omar Sofradzija Jack Tany Graphic Designers Kathryn Aspin Audrey Spring Client Strategists Megan Fleming megan@m3group.biz Liz Reno-Hayes liz@m3group.biz Melissa DeMott melissa@m3group.biz John Tripolsky john@m3group.biz

Tiffany Dowling Publisher

517mag.com

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Photographers Kyle Dowling Mary Gajda Metro Melik M3 Group 221 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48933 P (517) 203-3333 Subscription subscribe@517mag.com

Pam Posthumus The Children’s Trust Fund is Michigan’s only independent, statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Serving as a voice for Michigan’s children and families; we lead the way to better health, safety and well-being by funding effective community-based programs.

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h o n o r a r y c h a i r s s h a r i f h us s e i n & pas c a l e e i d

contents

9/21

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2021 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

13 Reinventing HR

Pandemic changed the scope and scale of human resources

41 Community Minded

Kehler uses her job, DEIB to uplift the region

Meet the Judges p.29

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contents

lifestyle

business 11

AREA SNAPSHOT

34

PLACES

17

TRENDS

36

GOOD READS

18

NOTABLE NEWS

38

STYLE

22

STATE/NATIONAL

39

FOOD

24

ON THE RECORD

NONPROFIT

25

PERSPECTIVES

44

27

BIZ TIPS

46

PLAY

A Snapshot of Local Business News Affecting the 517 5 HR Tools for Business Success Professional Highlights from the 517 Region A Brief Look at State and National News Affecting our Region BWL’s Commitment to DEI Putting People First

Human Resources and Diversity

Top-Rung Attraction Brenke Fish Ladder offers unique view of Grand River Switching Paths Finding tips for a career change For Appearance’ Sake Dress for the job you want Best of the 517 Business spots Serving Veterans and Families VFW National Home for Children has a mission of helping Visit 517living.com for More Lansing-Area Activities

DEPARTMENTS

2 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 48 6

517 | 9.21

WRAP UP

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to carry on their 109 year legacy serving Greater Lansing

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T H E M E R I D I A N A DVA N TAG E . N E T

business

AREA SNAPSHOT p.11 TRENDS p.17 NOTABLE NEWS p.18 STATE/NATIONAL p.22 ON THE RECORD p.24 PERSPECTIVES p.25 BIZ TIPS p.27

THE FUTURE OF HR Despite the negative effect the COVID-19 pandemic leveled on the job market, 60% of companies have made at least one new hire. With so many having left the workforce, the role of human resources has been filled with new challenges such as remote hiring and onboarding as well as taking deep dives into what the evolution of HR will look like.

Expect to see new trends emerging like investing more in mental health and well-being initiatives, improvements in remote onboarding, more data-driven insights through the use of technology, and overall improvements to company culture in order to attract and retain talented, sustainable team members.

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Advertorial

Get to know Emily Wahls, News 10’s newest member of the First Alert Weather Team and Mid-Michigan’s first female Chief Meteorologist!

Q: Welcome to the WILX News 10 team! Tell us what’s got you the most excited about News 10?

Emily: I’m excited to be a part of a powerhouse weather team and to get to work alongside my good friend Mallory Anderson each morning!

Q: For those who aren’t familiar with you, can you give us a little background?

Emily: I was born and raised in Michigan and I’ve been forecasting for the MidMichigan area for 8.5 years.

Q: So you’ve been in the area for a while, what are some of your favorite local spots or things to do?

Emily: My husband and I love cycling. We’ve ridden thousands of miles on MidMichigan roads.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a meteorologist?

Emily: I first knew that I wanted to be a meteorologist in the 7th grade. I learned about clouds and fell in love with the science.

Q: We’re quickly approaching the autumn season, what do you like best about fall?

Emily: That’s an easy one... sweater weather!

Q: What’s the easiest and hardest parts of the job?

Emily: Easiest: Talking about a topic I’m passionate about. Hardest: Waking up at 1:30 AM...you never get used to it and it never gets easier.

Q: Anything else you’d like the readers to know?

Emily: I’m grateful to everyone who has helped make Mid-Michigan feel like home.

business / AREA SNAPSHOT

A snapshot of local business news affecting the 517

CONSUMERS TO ABOLISH COAL PLANTS BY 2025

BY RICH ADAMS

Consumers Energy has stepped up efforts to go green, recently announcing it will close all its coal plants by 2025 — 15 years ahead of earlier plans.

Removing coal from the power equation is just the start. The Jackson-based utility provider plans to produce more than 60% of electric capacity from renewable sources by 2040. The plan would make Consumers one of the first in the nation to end the use of coal while providing a 20-year design involving more renewable energy production.

“We are proud to lead Michigan’s clean energy transformation and be one of the first utilities in the country to end coal use,” President and CEO Garrick Rochow said. “We are committed to being a force of change and good stewards of our environment, producing reliable, affordable energy for our customers while caring for our communities during this transition.”

If the Michigan Public Service Commission gives the plan a green light, Consumers would step up closure of three coal-fired plants at its complex near Holland.

Consumers also announced early closure of Karn 3 and Karn 4, units that run on natural gas and fuel oil, by 2023, eight years sooner than expected.

Cities and employees impacted by the closures won’t be left in the dark.

“Consumers Energy is committed to a just transition away from coal as a fuel source for electricity,” said Brandon Hofmeister, senior vice president for governmental, regulatory and public affairs.

“We supported employees and communities impacted by our 2016 coal retirements by finding new roles for workers who wanted to stay, fulfilling our environmental responsibilities at the sites and helping local leaders pursue new economic possibilities.

We plan to follow the same philosophy to help those affected by the proposed Campbell and Karn retirements.”

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business / AREA SNAPSHOT

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LAINGSBURG PROJECT EXPANDING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

HOOKED IS BRINGING NEW LIFE TO THE LANSING LITERARY SCENE

BY RICH ADAMS

BY SHELBY SMITH

A new housing project in downtown Laingsburg is geared to make the city more walkable and draw residents to the city.

A partnership involving the city of Laingsburg, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership recently put out requests for bids to develop a vacant building into a mixed-use housing and commercial venue. The site features footage on the Grand River and makes most downtown businesses a short walk away.

“This is a downtown site, and downtown projects are becoming a higher priority for us as we’re getting more ‘people attraction’ sort of things to attract more housing for our downtowns,” said Brent Jones, vice president of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership.

“These are placemaking projects to help develop a sense of place to help grow the community as a whole.”

Laingsburg Treasurer Paula Willoughby shared that sense of making Laingsburg a destination city.

“We’re trying to make Laingsburg a destination. I know we’re not exactly a tourist site, but we did recently do a first in-tourism program, which we had some people come in and they checked out Laingsburg,” Willoughby said. “A lot of the feedback was it’s a beautiful drive to get here; and once they got here, they were overly impressed with the people of Laingsburg and the amenities we did have for eating and recreation.”

It’s no secret that bookstores have had a hard time with the rise of online retail giants. Something that hasn’t faltered, though, particularly in a city that’s university-adjacent, is the success of a good coffee shop.

Led by Sarah Reckhow and husband Matt Grossmann, both faculty at Michigan State University, Hooked will bring the wonder of a well-cultivated bookstore together with a cafe environment.

“Hooked is going to be a bookstore and cafe serving coffee, wine and light food. It will also be a community space where we’ll have events and opportunities for book clubs and more,” said Reckhow.

“Things motivated by learning about books, tasting wine, tasing coffee and meeting people.”

In addition to being able to order a glass or cup to stay, wine and coffee will also be available for retail. Though they won’t manage the day-to-day operations of the business with their work at MSU, the cafe is the result of their passion for reading and community.

“The idea originated over many years of conversation between me and Matt, and the places we’ve been and, of course, our love for bookstores. We’ve experienced some amazing places that had the hybrid environment of bookstore and cafe and wanted to see more of it in the area,” said Reckhow.

Reckhow and Grossmann hope to open Hooked in 2022. A location for the business has not yet been determined.

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F E A T U R E

HR

REINVENTING

PANDEMIC CHANGED THE SCOPE AND SCALE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

BY OMAR SOFRADZIJA PHOTOS BY MARY GAJDA

POISED TO PIVOT:

JULIE MANN IS CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER FOR THE LANSING-BASED NEOGEN CORP.

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o Julie Mann, the challenge is simple: The company that can figure out flexible work environments and how to attract talent in a post-pandemic world is the company that’s going to win the future.

“Good talent is always going to grow businesses,” she said. “That’s what my business is all about.”

Her business is helping grow the Neogen Corp., a global animal safety and food safety company working to protect the world’s food supply and one of Greater Lansing’s pace-setting job creators since its 1982 launch. It’s also where Mann is chief human resources officer.

In her role, she sees multiple needs merging into a single track: managing Neogen’s growth by bringing in a steady flow of high-talent recruits and moderating change on how and where we work. The latter was already evolving before the coronavirus outbreak put that shift into overdrive.

And that’s something anyone with a job should keep an eye on, regardless of job title.

“I know companies have a dedicated HR person, but everybody manages people in one way, shape or form,” Mann said. “I say to my team that this is a historical space for HR, because we are going to be reinventing and rethinking more things, in my opinion, than we’ve thought through in an HR function in a long time.

“We’re going to be thinking about how we recruit differently. We’re going to be thinking about how we deliver benefits differently. We’re going to be thinking about what different types of tools we use for retention differently than we ever have before,” she continued. “We’re going to be thinking about the workplace and the culture, and how do we have an environment that is diverse and inclusive.

“It’s all of those things that we already think about — I’m not saying we don’t think about those things; we think about each one of those every single day — but we’re thinking about them in such

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HISTORIC TIMES:

JULIE MANN BELIEVES THIS WILL BE A UNIQUE TIME FOR HUMAN RESOURCES TO RETHINK AND REIMAGINE HOW IT OPERATES.

different blue-ocean ways because we need to start thinking differently,” Mann said.

According to Mann, Neogen employs about 1,100 people in the United States — 660 of those in mid-Michigan — and another 800 globally, growing headcount about 10% annually and with revenue doubling roughly every five years.

“Growth is something we’re used to, and we continue to plan to do,” she said.

That growth is likely to play out differently than before COVID-19 struck. Coming out of the pandemic, Mann expects to see remote and hybrid work stick around, along with virtual recruiting and virtual meetings. That’s going to change the dynamics of some common employee-and-employer situations. For example, remote work could have employers widening their horizons when looking for talent, she said.

“Because if I used to say I want to hire an HR manager, and I want them to work here in Michigan, I get talent pool X. If I say I want an HR manager, and I don’t care where they sit, now I’ve got the entire United States and maybe a bigger global footprint,” Mann said. “So, the number of candidates goes way up.”

And so does the competitiveness for the position.

The pandemic has also reordered priorities for some workers.

“We’re seeing a lot more turnover for life decisions, life-balance decisions, than we’ve seen before. People are making work decisions differently,” Mann said. “And for those who had the opportunity to try remote, some people are saying, ‘I don’t ever want to go back to the office.’ Now, that may or may not be with your current company, but they’ve learned that they have a new way they like to work.”

No matter how it plays out, it won’t be quite what it was before we got to know Zoom, Slack and all.

“The big question on everybody’s plate is, what does the next normal work look like?” Mann said.

“And it’s going to be unique.”

“

THE BIG QUESTION ON EVERYBODY’S PLATE IS, WHAT DOES THE NEXT NORMAL WORK LOOK LIKE? AND IT’S GOING TO BE UNIQUE.

Build, Buy or Borrow to Business Growth When trying to grow talent along with a growing company, Neogen Corp.

Chief Human Resources Officer Julie Mann said she considers three simple-to-remember but substantially effective approaches: Build: Develop existing employees and grow their talent.

Buy: Recruit and attract talent from the outside.

Borrow: Hire a temporary employment firm or contractor.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT

FLEXIBILITY IS KEY:

HOW TO RETAIN YOUR CURRENT TALENT AND FIND NEW EMPLOYEES

By Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!

Most of the time, individuals making decisions behind work policies is a team or individual human resource professionals. Many human resource professionals have been heavily involved with the difficult decisions regarding workplace safety policies as they relate to the ever-changing Coronavirus.

Teri Sand, Business Services manager at Capital Area Michigan Works! helped me understand priorities that HR professionals should consider as the Coronavirus evolves, and workplace safety continues to be a hot conversation among employers and employees alike.

The Business Services Team at Capital Area Michigan Works! assists employers with their recruiting and retention strategies.

Specifically, the BST develops relationships with the local businesses that we anticipate will have high wage, high demand and/or high skill job openings. When HR professionals want help with recruiting, the team generally starts by reviewing their job ads and current recruiting strategy. Many local employers are still using outdated methods. The BST can often suggest improvements to the ads and additional sources employers can use to find qualified candidates. When applicable, the BST refers them to other partners and resources.

Given the uncertainty and uneasiness surrounding in person work, Sand advises employers and HR professionals to be as flexible with your current and future workers as possible.

“Workers have so many options right now. HR professionals should do everything they can to keep their current workers as well as everything they can to find additional candidates,” Sand said. “Current workers and potential candidates may appreciate flexible schedules — like split shifts, nontraditional hours, etc. — and the ability to work remotely, even if occasionally. Even just those two factors alone can

greatly reduce anxiety about working in person because it could reduce the quantity of people in the workplace at one time.”

Meeting the needs of your current workers should be one of an employer’s or HR team’s top priorities, especially when considering a return to work scenario. Sand’s top tips to retain your current workers include flexibility and innovation. Workers have many options to choose from when selecting a place of work — how can you make your business their ideal place to work? Additionally, businesses should be sure to survey their workers on their comfortability and preferences with working in person.

“If a worker feels uncomfortable or like there is no future for them at your company, they will look elsewhere,” Sand said.

If and when employers make the decision to return to work, they should send regular reminders on what precautions or safety measures are in place to keep workers healthy.

If an HR professional needs assistance specifically with return to work planning, utilize local resources such as Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Greater Lansing SHRM and of course, the CDC and MIOSHA guidance will help too. Workers — people’s — health and safety should be a top priority as employers continue to navigate managing their businesses and employees.

Carrie Rosingana is the CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!. Visit camw.org for assistance with career exploration or staffing needs. CAMW!, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, offers services in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties at our Lansing, St. Johns and Charlotte American Job Centers.

business / TRENDS

5 HR TOOLS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Few people outside of human resources professionals fully understand how many hats HR has to wear to keep a company running smoothly and its workforce satisfied. Yet there are numerous HR tools available to help juggle the countless duties and obligations these dedicated and unsung staff members are charged with each day.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS More than an annual one-onone meeting, performance management tools help set upcoming goals and objectives for each employee as well as allow for the continued tracking of progress throughout the year.

RECRUITMENT SOFTWARE A workforce is only as strong as its weakest link. To keep top candidates, you first must find top candidates.

Recruitment software helps with the finding, screening, testing and evaluating, and video interviewing potential new employees.

ONLINE PAYROLL SERVICE Making sure all the hard work and effort your employees put in is compensated is a high priority but also a difficult task.

An online service removes the burden by calculating paychecks, deductions, time off and more.

ENGAGEMENT AND RECOGNITION SOFTWARE Everyone loves to see some spotlight now and then. Rewards and recognition software make it easy for employees to be congratulated for personal and professional achievements as well as help to strengthen positive company culture.

SUCCESSION TOOLS Employees like to know they have opportunities for advancement.

Succession planning tools help identify and evaluate inhouse talent to fill key positions as they become available and assist with the ease of transition.

Sources: humanresourcestoday.com/2021/data/trends/?open-article-id=16105648&article-title=6-must-have-hrtools-in-2021&blog-domain=gethppy.com&blog-title=get-hppy and businessnewsdaily.com/9663-hr-tech-tools.html

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PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 517 REGION GCSI Named Top Michigan Lobbying Firm Governmental Consultant Services Inc. was ranked the most effective multi-client lobbying firm in Michigan in an MIRS/EPIC-MRA survey. The firm received 20% of the vote, holding the top spot for nearly two decades.

“This distinct honor is a reflection of the professionalism and hard work of our team each and every day,” said Mike Hawks, CEO of GCSI. “We are grateful for the confidence of our incredible clients and fellow Lansing leaders. These strategic partnerships are a result of our unwavering commitment to building trust with our clients and ultimately in the pursuit of our collective goals.”

EPIC-MRA, a Lansing-based survey research firm, surveyed lobbyists, lawmakers, department directors and other local leaders.

GCSI has been ranked the most effective multi-client lobbying firm in all the biennial insider surveys. This year, three GCSI lobbyists are listed in the top for most effective multi-client lobbyist.

WILX Announces Sports Team Changes Longtime Lansing sports reporter Fred Heumann took on the role of co-sports director with the WILX-TV 10 sports team Aug. 1.

“We are fortunate to have Fred and Tim Staudt’s decades of sports reporting experience

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as we head into a busy fall sports season,” said WILX Vice President and General Manager Debbie Petersmark.

On Aug. 9, News 10 relaunched a nightly sportscast in its 11 p.m. newscasts.

Heumann anchors the 11 p.m. sportscasts Tuesday through Friday. Kellan Buddy anchors the 11 p.m. sportscasts Saturday through Monday. Heumann and Buddy also co-anchor the Friday night “Sports Blitz.”

Natalie Kerwin is dedicated to covering sports stories, supporting all WILX on-air and digital sports platforms.

“I am honored to have this exciting opportunity to play a larger role at News 10,” said Heumann. “My first seven months at WILX have reinvigorated me. I look forward to teaming with Tim, Kellan and Natalie to reshape our sports brand in this terrific community. It will be a blast being back on the 11 p.m. news.”

Inc., local grant support through the city of Lansing, and the support of Summit’s loyal clientele. Through the support of grant funds, Summit not only doubled the size of the storefront, but it was able to update plumbing, improve the layout of the store, replace flooring, add capacity and display areas for product lines, and update signage to incorporate the enhanced space.

“We are so excited to continue to be a part of the Lansing community and have so many people to thank for making this new and improved space possible,” said Summit owner Reggie Clem. “Special thanks to all of the friends and customers of Summit. When we went into the COVID era, we put buying the building on hold. However, the support of our customers and neighbors rallying around us, the purchase of the building and expansion were possible. We look forward to providing Lansing with an even better experience at Summit.”

Summit Celebrates Expanded Store Summit Comics and Games purchased its building and doubled its footprint with a new and improved expanded storefront space at 216 S. Washington Square in Lansing. The business celebrated a grand opening in July.

The Summit Comics and Games expansion was made possible through a Match on Main grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Downtown Lansing

Spring Joins Staff at M3 Group M3 Group, a Lansingbased full-service marketing and branding agency, hired Audrey Spring as a creative visionary.

Audrey Spring

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Spring’s industry experience includes art direction, publication and print design, brand development, illustration, and photography.

She graduated from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an illustration minor. Her creative involvement and highly illustrative background give her an edge in an agency environment.

DBI Elevates Design Team DBI announced two promotions within its team. Senior Interior Designer Sydney Watkins was named director of strategic relationships and Kylie Barbier Kylie Barbier is the new interior design manager.

In her new role, Watkins brings six years of corporate interior design experience, product knowledge and a network of industry partners to find Sydney Watkins solutions to bring clients’ furniture vision to life. Her designs speak to functionality and workplace well-being.

Barbier’s new position will allow her to develop and implement successful design strategies, outlining how the design team will create deliverables and implement them for the project. She does that all while maintaining morale among the DBI design team.

“Kylie and Sydney have been a key part of our success, and we were thrilled be a part of their continued growth,” said George Snyder, president of DBI

CASE Awards $24,000 in Scholarships CASE Credit Union announced the recipients of its 2021 scholarship program, providing $24,000 in financial support to regional high school and Lansing Community College students. The credit union also unveiled the addition of a new scholarship as well as a new internship program in partnership with the college.

The new annual scholarship, the Director’s Award, is presented to one high school student planning to attend college in the fall. The $1,000 inaugural award was presented to Alicea Heady of Everett High School, who will be attending Michigan State University.

The credit union also introduced The William Brewer II Executive Leadership Program, Financial Services Internship, in honor of Brewer’s service as board chair of CASE Credit Union since 1991. This internship will allow Lansing Community College students to meet with and shadow executives and experienced CASE Credit Union team members, giving them real-life exposure to the business world.

The Chubb/Hayes/Feeman Scholarship awarded $1,000 to eight college-bound high school seniors: Kaylee Harrison of Haslett High School, Erin Folks of DeWitt High School, Megan Schittenhelm of Hanover Horton High School, Briget Stolz of Howell High School, Cole Goodman of Grand Ledge High School, Caden Plaxton of Williamston High School, Haylie Lewis of Eaton Rapids High School and Julia Marie Gierman of Gierman Academy.

The Shelia A. Williams-Matlock Scholarship awarded $1,000 to five collegebound high school seniors: Anatasia Charles of Everett High School, Noah Yarborough of East Lansing High School,

David Hagerstrom of East Lansing High School, Dana Minor of Eastern High School and Tabarak Al Qaizy of Everett High School.

The Constance Knowlton Scholarship awarded $2,000 to five current Lansing Community College students: Anferny Bradley, Megan Clifford, Rebecca Reeves, Travon Sadler and Anton Moritz.

Christman Places 92nd in National Contractor Ranking The Engineering News-Record, a news outlet known as the authority for tracking the construction industry, has placed The Christman Co. at No. 92 on its 2021 “ENR 400” list of the top 400 contractors nationally.

Overall rankings were calculated according to 2020 construction revenue.

Based in Lansing, Christman also landed at No. 77 on the 2021 ENR list of top 100 contractors by new contracts.

“Obviously, the last year created new challenges for everyone, and the construction industry was not an exception,” said Christman President and CEO Steve Roznowski. “We are thankful that our company could still serve clients and keep our team members employed across the country. It is an honor to again be named in ENR’s top 100 national contractors, and we are especially grateful to maintain our status this past year. Our focus, as always, is on future growth in our industry and exceeding the expectations of clients.”

The Christman Co., founded in 1894, is a professional construction services firm.

The company’s services include construction management, general contracting, design/ build, program management, real estate development, self-perform and millwork.

“These rankings are made possible because of our relationships with clients and

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partners,” said John Holmstrom, senior vice president at Christman’s headquarters in Lansing. “It took collaboration and flexibility among our Christman team members to adjust to the past year during a pandemic, and we did so without compromising our standards or client service. We are grateful to maintain our status as a top construction firm.”

Capitol Fundraising Names New VP Capitol Fundraising Associates announced the promotion of it new vice president, Caitlin O’Rourke.

In her position as senior associate, O’Rourke was instrumental in managing client portfolios and recruiting new clients. In her new role, O’Rourke will focus on intern and associate management and development, as well as strategic growth for CFA and client relationships.

O’Rourke began her career at CFA in 2016 as an associate. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Grand Valley State University CFA is a multi-client fundraising firm providing board development and training, strategic planning, capital camping consulting and overall insight for client fundraising programs.

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Waggoner Purchases Lansing Office Building Martin Commercial Properties, a privately owned real estate services and development company, facilitated the sale of a free-standing office building at 2400 Lake Lansing Road in Lansing to Waggoner Financial Group.

Martin’s office team of Senior Vice President and Office Adviser Eric Rosekrans and Senior Associate and Office Adviser Thomas Jamieson represented the seller, Jeffrey Baker of B&B Ventures, in the sale of the property.

Loomis Attorneys Receive Recognition Several attorneys for Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis and Gotting were recognized in their practice areas for 2022 by Best Lawyers in America.

They include James F. Anderton V in business organizations, closely held companies and family businesses law; Jeffrey L Green in real estate law; Paula K. Manis in arbitration, mediation, and oil and gas law; Mikhail Murshak in litigation; James R. Neal in energy law, national resources law, and oil and gas law; Michael G. Olivia in

administrative/regulatory law and energy law; Michael H. Rhodes in corporate law, health care law, oil and gas law, and real estate law; Kevin J. Roragen in commercial litigation and municipal law; and Jeffrey S. Theuer in commercial litigation and construction law.

Allerga Earns Sales Pinnacle Award Brad and Shirley Naghtin, owners of Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Lansing, were recently acknowledged with an annual Sales Pinnacle Award by the Alliance Franchise Brands network.

Presented during the network’s 2021 virtual convention, the annual award recognizes outstanding sales performance in the international network of marketing and print services providers.

“This award is given to those who represent and personify our core value of putting customers first,” said Burke Cueny, vice president of marketing for Alliance Franchise Brands. “The Allegra Lansing team continues to serve local businesses and organizations during prosperous times and offer support during times of economic challenge — a testament to what a true marketing partner does.”

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business / STATE/NATIONAL

A BRIEF LOOK AT STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS AFFECTING OUR REGION

PICKING A LANE: WHAT WILL OFFICE LIFE LOOK LIKE?

BY TEECE ARONIN

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With remote and hybrid work arrangements, workspaces can be almost anywhere, so companies are plotting their courses for how best to move forward.

It could be a bumpy ride.

A survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates that when it came to executives, fewer than 1 in 5 preferred the pre-pandemic office model, but 13% wanted to nix the office completely. Of rank-and-file workers, 87% valued traditional office collaboration and relationship-building, and 55% wanted remote work at least three days per week.

Reports conflicted on which companies would require all employees to work on-site exclusively, but Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs and corporate consultant Ernst & Young were identified by one source as being among those who would. If that’s true, those companies might want to note a May nationwide survey indicating

that 39% of employees might quit their jobs if not allowed to work remotely at least part of the time.

“High-five to them,” said Sara Sutton, founder and CEO at FlexJobs. “Remote work and hybrid are here to stay.”

One Michigan company has picked a lane that will keep employees in their home offices.

“Being 100% remote has allowed us to find talented team members from across the country that fit our company’s business needs while ensuring a good cultural fit,” said Sam Chuisano, chief operating office of LiquidGoldConcept in Ypsilanti. “For us, the ability to provide flexible schedules and cast a wider recruiting net has proven to far outweigh any challenges.”

Companies described as “remote” organizations include tech company Atlassian, domain seller GoDaddy and e-commerce platform Shopify.

EXECUTIVE SEES STRENGTH IN BRICK-AND-MORTAR RETAIL

BY JACK TANY

Brick-and-mortar retail is at risk of falling behind as e-commerce continues to grow exponentially, dominated by Amazon.

COVID-19 has put further strain on traditional retail. There have been widespread closures of department stores around the nation since January 2020. At the height of global lockdowns, the pandemic widened the gap between brick-and-mortar and online commerce as consumers were pushed fully online.

More than 12,200 major retail chain store locations permanently closed in 2020 alone, translating to 159 million square feet of emptied

retail space. By April 2021, the number of open small businesses decreased by 33.6% compared to January 2020.

Despite those doom-and-gloom figures, brick-and-mortar storefronts remain the backbone of our nation’s economy, according to the National League of Cities Executive Director and CEO Clarence Anthony.

“Retail forms the foundation of our local economies, our workforce and main streets across the country,” said Anthony. “As cities adapt to a new retail environment, it is important for local leaders to gain clarity on who may be impacted, what tools are available to facilitate the meaningful evolution of retail spaces and what voices need to be at the decision-making table.

“Local leaders everywhere have the power to facilitate a more inclusive and equitable recovery for the small businesses, entrepreneurs and workers who are the beating heart of our economy,” he added.

Although traditional retail mainstay positions such as cashiers are on the decline, retail employment is rebounding due to increased employment of stockers, order fillers and service drivers to meet rising demands for convenient online shopping.

TECHNOLOGY MAINTAINS ACCOUNTABILITY ON PROJECTS, REMOTE EMPLOYEES

BY TEECE ARONIN

With the new norm of remote work, employees seemed to get scattered to the winds. That doesn’t mean they aren’t busy working, but more companies are using employee tracking technology to make sure tasks are being completed and staff are being accountable.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union had already been using project management technology before the pandemic, but it has proved useful during it.

“We use Jira for both service and project management: tracking all support tickets, service requests and planned work efforts in one system,” said Chief Information Officer Samantha Amburgey.

“Using a system like this provides transparency and visibility into the history, current status and overall progress of everything we do to serve our organization. We can easily escalate and transition work across teams, link related issues and tasks, use notifications to monitor specific items, and view dashboards on performance and trends. Having this kind of data easily accessible allows us to

maintain oversight and hold our teams accountable, which is critical for a hybrid work environment.”

Others use technology to monitor not only projects but COVID-19 and its variants.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget helps support the state Department of Transportation. Kristie Cheadle, section manager at MDOT, said that among DTMB’s systems is tracking for COVID-19 questions.

“It also tracks if an employee ID has been scanned for building entrance,” she said, noting that project management technology isn’t as useful for her specific team.

“Unless one of my staff is not meeting deliverables, I don’t track them,” Cheadle said. “We all chat with each other on Microsoft Teams, conduct virtual meetings and call each other via Teams or cellphone.

My only requirement is that everyone keep their calendars current and that I have access to them. My staff has access to my calendar, too.

This is how we hold each other accountable.”

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business / ON THE RECORD

BWL’S COMMITMENT TO DEI UTILITY PUTS WHAT IT PREACHES INTO PRACTICE

BY MARY GAJDA

In 2020, Lansing Board of Water and Light General Manager Dick Peffley made clear his stance on denouncing racism. His words stand out on the BWL diversity, equity and inclusion webpage: “The BWL unconditionally denounces systemic racism and stands shoulder to shoulder with those who continue to suffer and lose their lives because of it.”

The committee supporting DEI is still going strong, and Peffley remains just as committed.

“The diversity, equity and inclusion committee’s purpose is to encourage a highly skilled and culturally intelligent workforce, which is crucial to professional development and our corporate performance,” Peffley said. “This is also in alignment with our corporate priorities, which are to maintain a workforce that embraces safety and is agile, diverse, engaged and prepared to support the BWL’s success.”

The utility’s DEI committee consists of bargaining and nonbargaining employees, and it has subcommittees focused on the DEI strategic plan.

“The DEI committee is actively coordinated by my executive assistant and has executive sponsorship from the executive director of strategic planning, which supports my ownership role of the initiative,” Peffley said. “I also encourage each executive director to actively support the initiative that’s authentic for themselves. Executive directors have taken active leadership, such as the development of employee resource groups, while others engage with DEI committee members within subgroups.”

The shared values of DEI are promoted through three key approaches, from creating a culture with the collection of beliefs, perceptions and values shared among employees to developing, attracting and retaining a highly skilled, diverse and culturally intelligent workforce and by cultivating employee engagement that promotes professional development, career growth and a positive work environment.

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“One example of our recent efforts was focused around creating a space for connection and dialogue and meeting people where they are in their DEI journey,” Peffley explained. “Our DEI committee facilitated live, open discussion sessions where employees were able to come together to talk about what life’s been like during current events such as the pandemic, protests and civil unrest. The DEI committee also has dedicated channels for real-time sharing of educational articles, webinar opportunities, videos and other resources.”

BWL actively recruits members representing all aspects of diversity, and Peffley said he recognizes the value of diversity of thought, perspective and talent.

“Corporate performance is enriched and the resilience of the BWL is strengthened when we celebrate our differences,” Peffley said.

“Our best outcomes come when we incorporate diverse ideas. Bottom line: Recruitment for all aspects of diversity brings diverse solutions.”

The company offers employee training that encompasses four core areas focused on respect and understanding: understanding generations in the workplace; cultural intelligence; identifying and removing stereotypes, biases and isms; and identifying and removing microaggressions.

While diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace comes from the top down, it also comes from bottom up. According to Peffley, inclusion doesn’t happen simply by having a diverse workforce. It also involves recruiting and promoting diversity of people and thought in order to foster an inclusive environment to attract and retain talented people. One way BWL does that is by supporting events that focus on celebrating diversity and culture in our community.

“Our goal is always to keep a balanced sponsorship of cultural events,” Peffley said, “so the diversity of our community is reflected in all that we do.”

business / PERSPECTIVES PERSPECTIVE

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST A Q&A WITH DEBORAH V. TOBY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AT CINNAIRE

BY SHELBY SMITH

Q& A

How does Cinnaire understand employee mental health as contributing to the work environment?

As a rule, and in keeping with our people-first culture, we’ve made the health and well-being of employees our highest priority. The current pandemic only reinforced our commitment to our people’s well-being. We recognized early on that they were experiencing an extraordinary amount of change that placed unprecedented stress on their health. At Cinnaire, we think of health holistically; there is no distinction between physical and mental health. It was very clear to us that we

needed to support our people with all the tools available to help them maintain their overall well-being. We value each of our people, so there’s no room for throwaways.

How does Cinnaire support its employees’ mental health?

We are deliberate in ensuring our people understand their and their family’s health comes first. Our health care benefits include mental health services. Our employee assistance program provides face-to-face sessions; unlimited tele-counseling and comprehensive web-based mental health resources, including self-assessments; extensive content on personal health; and tools to help with personal, relational, legal and financial concerns.

At Cinnaire, our people work hard. To be able to give their best and live a wellbalanced life, they need time. In recognition of this, we afford them the flexibility to take planned vacations and personal time off as necessary through our unlimited personaltime-off benefit.

Throughout this pandemic, we’ve reminded our people they must make extra efforts to allow for flexibility in their normal work schedules to ensure their mental health. Employees with

children and/or in housing that isn’t conducive to working have benefited from the ability to flex their schedules.

We established a refresh/recharge Friday schedule. Every other month, we close, and we designated the Monday after as “No Meetings Monday.” We encourage our teams to designate Zoom happy hours for building and maintaining personal relationships.

What is on the horizon for Cinnaire in promoting employee well-being as the world continues to change?

We’ve recognized the shift in where and how we work is with us indefinitely, if not permanently. We made the decision to move to a hybrid work environment. We believe providing our people with this choice is a powerful catalyst for their well-being.

We know this will spur a dramatic behavioral and cultural shift, requiring our leadership to model a more inclusive approach. We will work differently to unlock the opportunity for more diverse and evenly distributed teams. This is an opportunity to level the playing field for employees with diverse backgrounds and a means of dramatically improving employee engagement.

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How will you pay for the car?

To determine which payment option is best for you, find a reputable lender and make sure you’re getting the best interest rate you qualify for. Then, be sure you understand how much you’ll pay for the loan including interest and any fees. Keep in mind adding a down payment will reduce how much you have to borrow, saving you money.

When deciding if buying or leasing a car makes more financial sense for you, consider the key differences.

How to Get the Best Deal on Your Next Ride

By Deidre Davis, MSU Federal Credit Union’s Chief Marketing Officer If you are in the market for a vehicle, here are some tips for getting the best deal.

What can you afford?

Begin the car buying process by reviewing your budget. Consider how much you can afford before deciding on the kind of car you want. Remember to include the monthly payment, license plate, registration fees, taxes, fuel, financing, and maintenance.

With a car loan, you will own the car once the payments are complete.

Manufacturer or dealer rebates and discounts may be available so your maintenance costs could be lower because of warranties that last several years.

If you lease a car, your monthly payment may be less than with a loan, and you may be able to afford a newer vehicle or one with additional

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features. However, there typically are mileage limits when you lease.

Whether you are looking to buy, lease, or refinance, MSUFCU can help with low auto loan rates and approval in as few as 10 minutes.

With an auto loan from MSUFCU, you receive a ReadyLoan Check – a blank check valid up to your preapproved limit that you can fill out and hand to the seller, which saves you time. Apply today at msufcu.org, by calling 517-333-2424, or stop by one of our 14 branch locations in Greater Lansing!

DEIDRE DAVIS

Chief Marketing Officer MSU Federal Credit Union deidre.davis@msufcu.org | 517-333-2424 Headquarters: 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823

business / BIZ TIPS

HUMAN RESOURCES AND DIVERSITY What role should HR play in DEI?

BY TEDI R. PARSONS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE PROFESSIONALS FORUM LLC

Today’s human resources departments are busier than ever. They are responsible for hiring new team members, overseeing the employee lifecycle, administering benefits, compensation forecasting, disciplinary action and labor law compliance. So how does diversity, equity and inclusion fit into the role of the busy HR professional?

This long-term DEI educator and practitioner strongly believes that DEI must be a core business strategy, not solely an HR function. DEI must be something that is embedded in every function of the organization, including HR. If the important work of DEI is placed in the human resources department, it may lose its effectiveness because it may not be fully integrated into the overall culture of the organization. Yes, HR is a critical component to the DEI work taking

place in your organization, but the department cannot effectively manage this alone.

Understanding the business case for DEI is critical to ensuring there is a robust, productive, innovative and welcoming culture at the organization. When done right, DEI can impact the organization’s overall bottom line, while addressing discrimination, systemic and institutional racism. Whenever possible, DEI must be a standalone department, reporting directly to the CEO or board of directors, including having a seat at the C- suite executive table.

Every member of the HR team must be part of the DEI strategy planning, take part in ongoing diversity trainings; review the current policies and procedures; and have a strong understanding of how biases, stereotypes and microaggressions impact the hiring and firing decisions.

Additionally, HR professionals must be champions of equity and inclusion, ensuring there is fairness, equality and opportunities available to everyone throughout the entire organization.

HR professionals need to recognize that their work goes beyond simply onboarding a new team member They must ensure that every individual in the organization is fully welcomed, confirmed and has a strong sense of belonging.

Implementing effective DEI strategies into everyday HR functions can provide a great opportunity to foster and build an inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. The team at The Professionals Forum can assist your organization with creating, enhancing and implementing a strong and impactful DEI plan.

Learn more at theprosforum.com.

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At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we understand you want the best for your employees, which is why we offer a wide range of plans designed to fit any budget. Plans that give them access to the largest network of physicians and hospitals in Michigan wherever and whenever. We offer complete benefits with pharmacy, dental, vision and emotional well-being health for you and your employees. That’s the Blue Cross difference, which all adds up to smarter, better health care. See what a Blue Cross plan can do for your business.

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FEATURE

THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS MEET THE 2021 ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS JUDGES

BY MARY GAJDA

The Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards judges are a key component in making each year’s event a successful one. The judges panel spends countless hours reviewing nominee submissions and discussing how local entrepreneurs are positively impacting our region. The esteemed panel of judges is committed to finding those who play a pivotal role in the growth of Lansing. Here’s a look at the 2021 panel that had to make those weighty decisions.

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FEATURE 30

DEBBIE PETERSMARK

DON MCNABB

JEFF JACKSON

SCOTT NORMAN

Debbie Petersmark is the vice president and general manager of WILX Media, a Gray Media Group station that operates WILXTV 10 (NBC) in Lansing, along with WILX.com and several cable channels. WILX News 10 recently launched a new branding campaign featuring community members and why they “Tune to 10” for breaking news, First Alert weather and original local reporting. News 10 is also the new home of Michigan’s first female chief meteorologist, Emily Wahls.

Petersmark joined WILX in 2000, becoming general sales manager in 2014 and vice president and general manager in 2018. Prior to that, she spent 10 years at the Sparrow Foundation.

She serves as a board member for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the American Red Cross and the Sparrow Foundation.

Petersmark grew up in an entrepreneurial family, working alongside relatives at Holden-Reid Clothiers in Lansing.

She often works with local business owners and appreciates the hard work, sacrifice and joy that come with being an entrepreneur. She feels privileged to be part of the Entrepreneurial Awards. A lifelong resident of East Lansing, Petersmark holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She and husband Mike have three grown children, Megan, Owen and Andy — the latter of whom was married in August, adding a daughter-in-law, Mariah, to the family..

Don McNabb is the CEO, principal scientist and co-founder of Triterra, a Lansing-based consulting firm that specializes in brownfield development, environmental consulting and natural resources management services.

McNabb has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and is responsible for overseeing implementation of the company’s strategic direction, while continually promoting the firm’s core focus and values. He routinely assists clients with implementation of environmental due diligence and contaminant management strategies while keeping their best interests in mind.

He has provided numerous practical, creative and effective solutions for real estate acquisition, brownfield redevelopment and contaminant investigation/ remediation projects throughout Michigan and the Midwestern region of the United States.

McNabb has a great appreciation for the Michigan’s capital region and routinely devotes time and resources to help make local communities better. He also currently serves on the Lansing Economic Area Partnership Executive Committee, chairs the Eaton Rapids Downtown Development Authority and Mainstreet Program, and is one of the directors for the Eaton Rapids Youth Soccer organization.

McNabb is a resident of Eaton Rapids, where he resides with his wife, Erica, and their two children, Torin and Marissa.

Jeff Jackson is the chief lending officer of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

He joined the credit union in 1997 and has experience leading the business and consumer lending, payment systems, support services, member services, and adjustments teams.

As chief lending officer, Jackson guides the consumer and business lending divisions of the credit union, providing financial solutions for members to meet their lending and cash management needs.

Beyond his leadership at MSUFCU, Jackson is actively involved in the community. He was recently named to the board of directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, an independent regional cooperative bank. In addition, he serves as a board member for the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, Child and Family Charities and Sparrow Foundation, as well as a member of the CUNA Lending Council.

Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration degree from Michigan State University.

Scott Norman is the vice president of business development and Medicare operations for Physicians Health Plan. PHP, a division of Sparrow Health System, is an award-winning health plan that provides insurance for thousands of employers and members across mid-Michigan.

In his role, Norman is responsible for network development, strategic planning, sales, marketing, and product and market development for PHP. He played a key role leading the expansion of PHP into the Medicare market with the introduction of Sparrow Advantage to mid-Michigan in 2020. Sparrow Advantage is the area’s fastestgrowing new Medicare Advantage product.

Norman has more than 20 years of experience in health care insurance, both as a health plan executive and as an agent working with employers to help them develop low-cost, effective employee benefit strategies. His most recent experience includes leading the operations and sales for a 4.5-star Medicare Advantage plan with over $1.2 billion in annual revenue that serves more than 140,000 members across Michigan. In addition, Norman led the commercial sales team and agent distribution strategy for a health plan with more than 7,000 employer clients and 400,000 enrolled members.

Norman is a Michigan State University graduate and has been a resident of East Lansing since 1997.

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MARK S. MCDANIEL

CRAIG PHILLIPICH

CHARLES HAUSER

PAM LAMBROPOULOS

Mark S. McDaniel is president and CEO of Cinnaire, leading more than 100 financial experts, innovative thinkers, policy analysts and other professionals at the company. Nationally recognized for his visionary leadership, McDaniel has more than 30 years of experience in affordable housing, community development, urban planning and market research.

In 1993, McDaniel launched the Michigan Capital Fund for Housing, a tax credit fund to support affordable housing in Michigan. Now known as Cinnaire, the organization has invested more than $4.9 billion in community and economic development across a nine-state footprint. McDaniel has strategically diversified Cinnaire to provide access to permanent debt financing, construction lending, technical assistance, predevelopment lending, real estate development, youth leadership training and title services. Under his leadership, Cinnaire has been recognized nationally as one of the top 50 nonprofits to work for, a Crain’s Detroit Business Cool Place to Work and a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace.

McDaniel has served on more than 25 local, state and national nonprofit and housing boards.

He is the honorary chairperson and master of ceremonies for the Greater Lansing area MLK Commission Holiday Luncheon, the nation’s largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Craig Phillipich is the president and co-owner of The Meridian Company in East Lansing. Having been with the company for more than 30 years, Phillipich’s mission is to keep The Meridian Company positioned as one of the top home service providers in Greater Lansing specializing in plumbing, heating, electrical and remodeling.

Working in the trades was an early passion for Phillipich, one that still drives him today as he maneuvers the company through its current generational ownership transition. Challenges and opportunities in business are constant targets; and when faced with the complexity of growing market share in uncertain times, Phillipich and The Meridian Company turned to growth by acquisition by successfully purchasing two local competitors inside of 12 months while navigating through the challenges of the pandemic.

Phillipich is a plumber by trade who admits the most rewarding parts of ownership are surrounding himself with highly qualified team members and receiving the community recognition that comes with hard work and giving back.

Outside of work, Phillipich enjoys running, golfing, boating and travel He lives in Haslett with his wife, Pamela. Together they share three daughters, Madison, Haley and Cameron, as well as granddaughter Harlow.

Charles Hauser is community relations manager for Granger Waste Services. He is responsible for working with individuals, organizations, communities, policymakers and community leaders on behalf of the company.

Hauser oversees corporate sponsorships and in-kind giving as well as government affairs throughout the communities Granger serves. He also educates the public, schools and community groups on the waste and recycling industry. Aside from corporate giving, Hauser personally gives back to the community by participating on several boards and committees. He particularly enjoys his work with Ele’s Place, where he serves as vice chair of the community board.

Hauser’s past comes with an entrepreneurial spirit. A graduate of Central Michigan University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. As a former business owner and president of Hauser Innovations, he invented, manufactured and distributed magnetic paddle-locking systems for kayaks. He most recently was the vice president of the Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter, where he worked closely with many businesses and business owners in the commercial construction industry.

He resides in Grand Ledge with his wife and two young children.

Pam Lambropoulos started her career in the insurance industry 31 years ago and is now the owner of the Great Lakes State Agency.

Her independent insurance agency offers business, personal and life insurance coverage through numerous reputable companies.

Prior to owning the Great Lakes State Agency, Lambropoulos represented and worked for Allstate Insurance Co. as an agency owner, business consultant and was in agency management for several years. In those roles, she earned numerous awards in both management and sales and was ranked among the top 2% of producing agents in Michigan for her achievements.

Lambropoulos is originally from the Port Huron area and now lives in Lansing. She has always been involved in the community by volunteering and supporting local charities and business organizations.

Her husband, Pete, and her only son, Dan Currie, play key roles in her business as well. Lambropoulos enjoys working with her family, as they share a passion for providing financial peace of mind for their clients. As an entrepreneur herself, she understands the long hours and sacrifice that it takes to be successful, and she is honored to be involved in awarding local entrepreneurs for providing services to our Lansing community.

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FEATURE 32

LAURIE DEBRUIN

BRYAN BENTON

Laurie DeBruin is founder and owner of Chrysalis Reflexology Hypnosis and Enrichment Center LLC. In addition to being a smallbusiness owner, she is a dancer, musician, singer, teacher, educator, author, lecturer, reflexologist, hypnotist, mentor, self-love advocate, wife and mother.

DeBruin strives to illuminate the path for everyone’s personal healing journey. A 1998 graduate of the University of Michigan, she received her bachelor’s degree in English education with a strong emphasis on psychology and linguistics. DeBruin had the opportunity to work on a 21st Century Education grant written by the Michigan State University College of Education and was able to direct and lead Laingsburg Middle School along with a consortium of 20 schools for underprivileged teens.

Her drive to learn more about the mind, body and healing lead her into the field of reflexology and hypnotherapy.

She formed her practice around the premise that healing comes in many forms and is just as unique as we are. At Chrysalis, DeBruin concentrates her talents and experience into one location where her teaching background meets her passion for providing a healing environment.

Bryan Benton is an assistant manager of the Michigan Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. NECA is a trade association that represents the electrical contracting industry and provides support to 200 signatory contractors in Michigan.

Benton, who previously served as NECA Lansing Division chair, has extensive experience with labor relations, contract negotiations and resolving grievances. In his current role, Benton also provides general advice and resources to the signatory electrical contractors who operate in the jurisdiction.

Beyond his experience with NECA, Benton knows firsthand what it takes to own and operate a small business. He founded and ran his own Lansing-based electrical contracting company, Alternative Electric, from 2006 to 2013. As the owner of an electrical contracting company, Benton wore many hats: estimator, purchasing agent, material logistics, foreman, electrician, bookkeeping, payroll and union benefits contribution administrator.

Benton is a licensed master electrician in the state of Michigan and holds a number of other degrees and certifications in the electrical construction field.

A native to the Greater Lansing region, Benton now resides in East Lansing with his wife and their two children.

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SCHEDULE A WATCH PARTY AND SEE THE JUDGES’ PICKS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29, AT 7 P.M. ON WILX.

lifestyle

PLACES p.34 GOOD READS p.36 RECIPE p.37 STYLE p.38 FOOD p.39 NONPROFIT p.44 PLAY p.46

HYBRID WORKLIFE BALANCE As employees return to work, a drastic straight-backto-the-office mandate can cause burnout and throw people off-kilter as much as when the pandemic started.

Leadership is finding that by implementing strategies that improve the worklife balance for staff, it will benefit the company by sparing staff from fatigue, resulting in fewer absentee call ins, saving on overhead and cultivating a culture of happier employees.

While these decisions are being made by corporate and upper management, remember to take time out for you and push yourself to keep the work-life balance you’ve created. It’s what will ground you during these times. Just like you managed at the beginning of the pandemic, you will adapt to the return to normal in due time.

Get out and enjoy the region, the fall colors headed our way and take care of your health — mind, body and spirit.

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lifestyle / PLACES

METRO MELIK’S OLDEST TWO KIDS, GABRIEL AND EVELYNN, FISHING.

TOP-RUNG ATTRACTION BRENKE FISH LADDER OFFERS UNIQUE VIEW OF GRAND RIVER PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY METRO MELIK TAKING IN THE SCENERY ON THE BANKS OF THE GRAND RIVER. 34

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t ent a cont more G.COM A 517M

THE GRAND RIVER FLOWS OVER THE DAM AT THE BRENKE FISH LADDER IN OLD TOWN.

One of the first field trips I took my kids on was to Old Town Lansing. I was hoping they would begin to enjoy the coolness of the city with its diverse landscape. And of course, being that the Grand River was in the mix, I knew Gabriel would enjoy casting into the water. It was a delight to watch him effortlessly bring up little perch, and it was endearing as he helped his struggling sister catch some as well.

The Grand River is one of three major tributaries that meets Lake Michigan. The river sprouts from natural springs in Somerset Township in Hillsdale County. The river continues to run north through Jackson, Eaton and Ingham counties, making a left-hand turn in Lansing before it continues its journey through Clinton, Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties, where it glides into

did you know

The Brenke Fish Ladder doesn’t allow fishing.

However, it is a cool spot to have a wedding ceremony or a concert.

“THE LADDER” FISH CLIMB DURING SPAWNING SEASON AT THE BRENKE FISH LADDER.

Lake Michigan. The Grand River is home to an assortment of fish that include brown trout, brook trout, carp, catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, salmon, pike, and steelhead.

There are 14 dams along the river. In short, dams degrade the aquatic habitat, and fish have a rough time navigating them.

Through a partnership with the Michigan Urban Recreational Bond Program, Anadromous Fisheries Restoration Program and the city of Lansing, the North Lansing Brenke Fish Ladder was built in 1981. It was named in honor of William Brenke, who helped to bring trout and salmon to Lansing.

I wonder where Mr. Brenke is today. I would have my son, Gabriel, thank him for his efforts. For he is definitely enjoying the results of Mr. Brenke’s efforts.

The best time to see salmon climbing the ladder is autumn.

The Brenke Fish Ladder is a short walk to Lansing’s historic Old Town.

The Lansing River Trail runs alongside the Brenke Fish Ladder.

Old Town Lansing is the cultural and creative district of Lansing.

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lifestyle / GOOD READS

SWITCHING PATHS FINDING TIPS FOR A CAREER CHANGE

T

BY JESSICA GOODRICH, CADL BUSINESS LIBRARIAN

hinking of a career change?

You’re not alone. According to Prudential Financial’s “Pulse of the American Worker” survey, 1 in 4 employees is considering switching to a new career.

It’s always a good idea to seek guidance when it comes to decisions like that. A classic book on the topic is “What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles. Time Magazine called it a book “about job-hunting and career changing, but it’s also about figuring out who you are as a person and what you want out of life.” Features include exercises that help you understand yourself, finding the jobs that fit and designing the work life you want to have. Sounds pretty pertinent here in 2021.

As the business librarian at Capital Area District Libraries, I can also share a few tips that I’ve found to be tried and true. For example, it’s a good idea to go through job

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postings to highlight some of the unique terminology or descriptions. Then incorporate those words in your cover letter and resume. That gives you a better chance of showing up in the company’s applicant tracking system search. Also, make sure your resume is in machine-readable text by submitting a PDF or Microsoft Word file without images.

Another excellent resource for effective job searching is LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com. It offers thousands of high-quality online videos on topics from software to businesses skills. Not only can you view videos on topics such as resumes and interviewing but also courses on how to stand out and networking. There are some helpful videos about changing careers as well.

Resources such as “What Color is My Parachute?,” LinkedIn Learning and many more are available for free to Capital Area District Libraries members. Get more information at cadl.org or contact me at (517) 367-6330.

recipe

APPLE-OF-MYEYE PANCAKES INGREDIENTS 2 EGGS 2 CUPS OF MILK ¼ CUP OF GRANULATED SUGAR 2 CUPS OF ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR 2 TEASPOONS OF BAKING POWDER 1 TEASPOON OF VANILLA ½ CUP OF VEGETABLE OIL 1 TEASPOON OF GROUND CINNAMON 2 MEDIUM GRANNY SMITH APPLES, SHREDDED (RESERVE SOME NONSHREDDED TO TOP PANCAKES) 1 STICK OF BUTTER, MELTED, COOLED AND SET ASIDE ¼ CUP OF CINNAMON AND GRANULATED SUGAR, MIXED AND SET ASIDE DIRECTIONS WHISK TOGETHER THE VEGETABLE OIL, MILK, EGGS AND GRATED APPLE. IN A SECOND BOWL, WHISK THE FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, SUGAR AND CINNAMON. COMBINE THE INGREDIENTS UNTIL NICELY INCORPORATED. SET ASIDE AND REST FOR 5 MINUTES AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. IN SEPARATE BOWL, BLEND THE BUTTER AND CINNAMON SUGAR MIXTURE TO USE TO TOP PANCAKES. HEAT A GRIDDLE OR SKILLET ON MEDIUM. ADD A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL. SLOWLY POUR THE BATTER TO FORM PANCAKE CIRCLES. WHEN BUBBLES BEGIN, FLIP THE PANCAKE. ur

• All-purpose flo • Baking powder • Butter • Eggs apples • Granny Smith gar su ed at • Granul namon cin nd ou Gr • • Milk • Vanilla • Vegetable oil

WHEN FINISHED, BRUSH ON SOME COOLED MELTED BUTTER AND SPRINKLE WITH THE CINNAMON SUGAR MIXTURE. ADD YOUR FAVORITE SYRUP AND GARNISH WITH THIN SLICES OF SAUTEED APPLE FOR A BEAUTIFUL PLATING. SERVES 6-8 HUNGRY PEOPLE

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lifestyle / STYLE

FOR APPEARANCE’ SAKE DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT

BY ERIN HAGEN

N

o, the clothing doesn’t make the man, but it helps tell his story.

Like it or not, optics matter in every single setting in life. How you dress at work sends a number of signals about how you view the environment, how much respect you have for your work and yourself, and where you think you belong.

Your willingness to put the effort in to dress for success is telling, especially if the work you do aligns with that.

ELEVATE YOUR STYLE

If the position you want is of a higher grade and pay rate, you may notice a different style in what those officeholders wear to work.

Leadership and management positions are often in meetings and dressed as such with blazers and simple accessories. Women can step up from a cardigan to a crisp jacket. Men can go from khakis to dress pants.

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IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK

Despite wanting to show others you are professional, dressing for success sets you up for success by elevating your confidence.

This empowerment actually leads to better creativity.

WALK THE FINE LINE

Before you go all Tyra Banks, dressing for the job you want can take restraint. You can actually overdo it. Remember Coco Chanel’s famous quote, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

Some businesses have actually toned down their dress codes now that many are back to work following pandemic stay-at-home orders. But it doesn’t mean your clothing should be sloppy. Look for crisp fabrics that are still comfortable. Choose colors that are professional yet give just a bit of personality.

You may not want to admit it, but dressing up for work sends nonverbal cues and is a chance to make a positive impression on people who have no idea how good you are at your job.

lifestyle / FOOD

best of

BEST OF BUSINESS SPOTS YOU NEED A GREAT SPACE TO CONDUCT AN INTERVIEW, HAVE A LUNCH MEETING WITH A CLIENT OR SIMPLY FOR NETWORKING. WE ASKED OUR READERS FOR THE 411 ON THEIR GO-TO SPOTS IN THE 517.

BY MARY GAJDA

NETWORKING

CLIENT MEETINGS

INTERVIEW SPOTS

For networking, so many places in the region fit the bill.

Locals seem to love One North Kitchen and Bar, 5001 W. Saginaw Highway in Lansing, for the diverse menu and casual and entertainment-based environment. The great patio was seen as a definite plus.

Good Truckin’ Diner, 1107 S. Washington Ave. in Lansing, was also noted for networking in a small, eclectic spot with a great breakfast and lunch menu.

Buddy’s Pizza, a newer arrival to West Saginaw Highway, was mentioned, as well as Social Sloth Café and Bakery, which is located in downtown Lansing and offers free Wi-Fi, tasty artisan food, and great tea and coffee.

As for great places to take a client, we know from experience any of the places mentioned in our networking category would fit the bill as well; however, the following are very popular favorites, as mentioned by our readers. The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road in East Lansing, has a spectacular menu at the State Room Restaurant that will impress your best clients with the likes of grilled sea scallops with saffron rouille along with an award-winning wine menu. Soup Spoon Café on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing was also given love by our readers. It’s known for 12 draft microbrews focused on Michigan, boutique wines and classic cocktails along with a menu that impresses foodies.

The quiet atmosphere at Bread Bites, 5100 Marsh Road in Okemos, was noted as a great place for a more private meeting like an interview. The counter ordering allows for less interruptions than a full-service restaurant, which may help lend to the privacy, according to one of our readers. Cask and Co., 3415 E. Saginaw Highway across from the Frandor Shopping Center, is also known to have a quiet ambiance for lunch, along with an exceptional menu.

Beggars Banquet at 218 Abbot Road in East Lansing was also listed by our readers and is known for its elegant dining in a casual atmosphere.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

It’s important to note that no matter where you are in the 517, there are exceptional places to wine, dine and enjoy the company of co-workers and clients alike.

Places like Cugino’s Italian Restaurant in Grand Ledge and Lansing staples Leo’s Lodge, Art’s Pub, DeLuca’s, Zoobie’s, Fidler’s on the Grand and so many more were also mentioned by readers. Missed your favorite?

Then make sure you follow us on Facebook @517mag and watch for our monthly polls. We also poll on Instagram and on the streets when we are out and about. Have an idea for our “Best Of” monthly food feature? Email mary@ m3group.biz.

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PRESENTED BY:

FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST BUSINESS EVENTS OF THE YEAR! The Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Jackson Field 6pm - 8pm

PURCHASE TICKETS AT www.greaterlansingawards.com

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSOR:

FEATURE

REACHING POTENTIAL:

WHETHER SHE’S WORKING AS LANSING’S CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER OR AS A DEIB PRACTITIONER, JUDY KEHLER WANTS TO SEE THE REGION REACH ITS BRIGHTEST FUTURE.

Community

Minded

KEHLER USES HER JOB, DEIB TO UPLIFT THE REGION

BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY | PHOTOS BY METRO MELIK

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PROACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS:

W

hether she’s on or off the clock for the city of Lansing, Judy Kehler’s goal is to help the region and its residents realize their fullest abilities and capacities.

Promoted from treasurer to Lansing’s chief strategy officer just over a year ago, Kehler spends her workdays studying people, processes and services to determine how they can be made more efficient and more beneficial to the taxpayers. Outside of her municipal job title, Kehler’s focus is to foster accord and understanding as a certified diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practitioner.

“With DEIB, what gets me up in the morning is desperately wanting everyone to feel valued,” Kehler said. “I want everyone to be able to live their best life to realize their full potential, and I want us all to be able to respect and honor and value each other.”

Kehler’s interest in DEIB came on the heels of a lifetime of “firsts.”

Initially hired under former Mayor David Hollister’s administration, she was often noted as the first African American to serve as city treasurer, the first female treasurer and the youngest treasurer. Yet, Kehler said none of those quantifiers reflected her actual qualifications.

“I’ve always been the first of something. … So, it’s educating people and helping people to understand that when you look at me, you’re looking at an educated, qualified person,” she said. “Yes, I may happen to have this fantastic tan. But guess what? At the end of the day, we’re all professionals. And I’m the most qualified for the position. And this is what I’m going to do to help. It’s just kind of teaching people that the sex or the color of a person’s skin is not what you need to focus on.”

DEIB has become a top-of-mind issue in recent years. Some of that is due to a heightened social consciousness in racial disparities that was pushed to the forefront from widespread coverage of events such as the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Kehler noted; however, she added that some of it has to do with changing demographics.

“Companies know that in the next 10-15 years … the majority will be the people of color,” Kehler said. “And what does that mean when you’re talking about advertising a product? What does that mean about what your customer looks like? So, I think these conversations are taking place, No. 1, because of the financial implications; No. 2, because it’s morally the right thing to do; and No. 3, because of social climate right now.

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JUDY KEHLER IS HELPING TO SPEARHEAD A GRANT TO IMPROVE THE LITERACY RATE IN THE CITY OF LANSING.

“All these different things and topics are very interesting to me, and I am the type of person who likes to educate people and to work with people and to unify people,” she continued. “DEIB is definitely something that I feel is important. And I feel that it’s here, right? So, we have to know how to work with each other. We need to understand differences and to value people and to help people to feel valued in the workplace. And it’s not just race; its intergenerational, its ability, it’s the whole nine yards.”

That focus on inclusivity also translates to some of her work with the city of Lansing. The priority of Kehler’s work is with other postemployment benefits, or OPEB, and reducing unfunded liability and looking at alternative ways to fund future retiree benefits. However, one project she has been pursuing is a grant through Bloomberg Philanthropies to increase the literacy rate in Lansing schools. The $1 million grant is being awarded to the top 15 submissions in the global challenge, and it generated 631 submissions from 99 countries. In June, Lansing was informed it was among the 50 finalists still in consideration.

“In Lansing, I think it’s only 24% of our third graders that would be considered to be proficient readers. The other 76%, according to the law, would be held back. Twenty percent of our population is illiterate.

Twenty-six percent of our population have college degrees,” Kehler said. “In talking with our economic development folks, we have lost opportunities in Lansing to grow businesses because we don’t have the higher level of education and training required by some of these new technologies or STEM companies or medical technology companies.

“I feel that we need to attack that now. Because not only does it impact the families, but it impacts the city overall,” she added.

For the city to partner with the school district is a matter of a rising tide raising all boats, Kehler said.

“We’re at the point where we can no longer operate in silos,” she said. “Why do people move into Lansing? For housing, schools, so we are trying to grow our tax base. We can no longer afford to only focus on what’s happening inside the four walls of City Hall. We have to step outside, and we need to partner with people. And the school district is in need of partnerships. … I’m a Lansing School District graduate. I believe in our schools, and I really believe that we also need to surround the schools and to help move our district forward.”

Just as using DEIB to help people reach their potential gets her up in the morning, the same can be said about Kehler’s dedication to her role in city government.

“As far as working in the city, you know, I was born and raised in Lansing,” she said. “There’s more for Lansing, and really my passion and desire is to see Lansing succeed.”

FEATURE

“

I believe in our schools, and I really believe that we also need to surround the schools and to help move our district forward.

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lifestyle / JACK DAVIS LEGACY NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

SERVING VETERANS AND FAMILIES VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN HAS A MISSION OF HELPING

BY KYLE DOWLING

Creating community for those who have served and sacrificed has been the mission of a Greater Lansing organization for nearly a century.

Headquartered in Eaton Rapids, the VFW National Home for Children has provided a safe and nurturing refuge for current and former service members and their families across the country since 1925.

“As long as there are people willing to sacrifice their freedom for ours, there will be a need for the VFW National Home for Children,” said Executive Director Fred Puffenberger.

VFW National Home for Children recognizes that military service also impacts the families of those who serve, and its program provides active-duty military families, veteran families, and the families of Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Auxiliary members the opportunity to establish family stability and set a course for their future.

The organization provides free access to a licensed early education center, and participating families work one-on-one with case managers to establish family plans and access programs and services to help these families meet their goals — while also providing families housing for up to four years in one of 42 single-

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family homes in the VFW National Home for Children’s countrywide community.

The National Home, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is supported by the generosity of not only members of the VFW and its auxiliary branch but by thousands of other Americans who understand and support its mission.

The families that the National Home serves come from a wide range of backgrounds with varying levels of need. The customizability of its program is unique and allows the organization to address each family’s individual needs and goals, as well as help support them through access to on-campus and off-campus resources and services.

If you are looking to support the VFW National Home for Children, there are a variety of ways. You could recommend the organization’s aid and support to a military or veteran family, or you could volunteer your time or services to the National Home community.

Visit the VFW National Home for Children website at vfwnationalhome.org or call (800) 424-8360 to learn more.

To help support military and veteran families, donations can be made at the organization’s website at vfwnationalhome.org/donate or through the donor relations department at (866) 483-9642.

lifestyle / PLAY

t ent a cont more G.COM A 517M

An Evening of Doers and Dreamers ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS VIEWING PARTY Sept. 29 An event and viewing party for the televised broadcast of the 2021 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards is set for Sept. 29 at Jackson Field in Lansing. Celebrate some of Greater Lansing’s visionaries and innovators during and evening of fun and festivities.

Visit greaterlansingawards.com for tickets and for more information and updates.

THIS MONTH’S EVENTS Editor’s note: Please call event venues directly to make sure times and dates haven’t changed due to cancellations and postponements related to COVID-19.

Follow our friends at 517living.com for other upcoming events in the region.

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A Festival of Oddities Sept. 4 Voted one of the top local art festivals in 2020’s Top of the Town competition, A Festival of Oddities is a daylong celebration of all things weird and macabre in Michigan. Held at the historic — and historically haunted — Courthouse Square Museum in Charlotte, the festival is part macabre farmers market, part creepy carnival and a whole lot of fun. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit facebook. com/festivalofoddities for more details.

Michigan Chicken Wing Festival Sept. 4-5 Two days filled with wings, live music, a kids’ zone, food vendors and crafts are on tap this month at Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing. This event offers free admission to cancer patients and survivors, senior

citizens, and kids 12 and under.

For more information, visit michiganchickenwingfestival. com.

Common Ground Music Festival Sept. 11 The Common Ground Music Festival returns this year at a relocated site at Jackson Field in downtown Lansing.

Musical headliner is G-Eazy with special guests Tee Grizzley, Duckwrth, Yung Baby Tate, JAHMED and Kossisko. Visit commongroundfest.com for more details.

Namaste Sober: A Benefit for Those in Recovery Sept. 11 September is National Recovery Month. Join a day of yoga, music, recovery stories and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cleats Bar & Grille, 5801 Aurelius Road in Lansing. The

event is 100% donation-based, with a suggested donation of $20. Money raised will benefit the Trini Foundation and its efforts to offer yoga scholarships for those in recovery. Visit allevents. in/lansing/namaste-sobera-benefit-for-those-inrecovery/200021286307610 to register.

Lansing Out of the Darkness Walk Sept. 26 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk steps off at 1 p.m. from Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The day includes the walk, a silent auction, a kids’ activity tent and more. Raise $150 by Sept. 26 to receive an official Out of the Darkness T-shirt. To register and for more information, visit afsp.org/lansing.

Call me today at 517.253.8563 With 21 years of experience serving successful women and their families in the Lansing area, Stephanie uses her comprehensive approach to financial planning to provide advice for women who want to be empowered and informed as they make complex decisions about their future.

for a complimentary initial consultation.

As the only Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) in Lansing*, she believes that freedom and independence are core values of successful women, regardless of marital status.

One Close Home Construction Loans When working with First National Bank of Michigan, you have a loan professional who understands new construction.

One Close Construction Loans save you time, money and hassle.

Stephanie Milosavlevski

CFP®, CDFA® Financial Advisor 2139 Commons Parkway Okemos, MI 48864 • 517.253.8563 stephanie.j.milosavlevski@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/stephanie.j.milosavlevski *Source: Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFATM). Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC. Not Federally Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved. 3711737ACMR0821

First National Bank of Michigan Construction Loans offer: •One closing •No interest rate risk •All loans serviced by First National Bank of Michigan •Interest only payment during construction

Contact Melanie Squires (NMLS#1458101) at 517.347.7640 to discuss your options.

fnbmichigan.com

NMLS 435135

101 S. Washington Square, Lansing 48933 | 517.319.8000

W WRAP UP P

CULTURE SHIFT 5 ways you can help foster an inclusive work environment

BY KYLE DOWLING

Creating a company culture of acceptance and inclusion is a key component for moving a business forward on a positive path of grow. When employees feel like their voice is valued and they are able to make meaningful contributions to the success of the company, they are going to find more satisfaction in the work they do as well as the company for which they do it.

Bring new faces into brainstorming

Sometimes your meetings can become echo chambers for the same ideas. It’s easy to just get the same team together every time to come up with ideas; but including others outside of your team can be very inciteful. This also allows you to spend time with people in your office that you may not see or talk to on a dayto-day basis.

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Check in with people

While feedback is important, there is also room for building trust between managers and employees. Be sure to be open to people being honest about their needs and discussing challenges that they are facing in the workplace.

Change who runs your meetings

The person in charge does not always have to be the person up front. Be sure to let other people run the meetings. It changes the dynamics in the room and lets other people talk who may not feel comfortable otherwise.

Create events to get people together

While larger events such as Christmas or Halloween parties are always fun, they do not happen very often. Go out to lunch as a team, or have everyone bring in a dish for a company or department potluck.

Team-building exercises are also a great way for people to feel included and get to know others.

Talk about yourself

Aside from work, be sure to share about yourself with your co-workers.

Get to know what others like to do outside of work.

EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE NEED R E T E N T I O N STRATEG NEED EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE R E T E N T I O N NEED R E T E N T I O N STRATEG STRATEGIES? EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE ED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIES EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE ED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIES EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE ED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIES EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE NEED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGI EED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGIE NEED R E T E N T I O N STRATEGI CONNECTING WITH BUSINESS. STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE. camw.org

1-800-285-WORK

Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578-6563 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Michigan. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.

Downtown Lansing Welcomes Back Workers

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1. 620 S. Capitol Ave. 2. 426 S. Walnut St.

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3. 415 W. Kalamazoo St. 4. The Louie 5. Boji Tower 6. 110 W. Washtenaw St.

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7. 228 S. Washington Sq. 8. The Hollister Building

9. 101 S. Washington Sq.

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10. 120 N. Washington Sq.

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11. 101 N. Washington Sq. 12. 119 N. Washington Sq 13. 200 N. Washington Sq. 14. 222 N. Washington Sq. View all of our listings: bit.ly/517Downtown

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Nobody knows Downtown Lansing Like Martin!

Call Us Today To Learn About Our Exciting Office Opportunities.

Contact Us / 517 351-2200

martincommercial.com