Newaygo County Influential Women in Leadership

County

N F L U E N T I A L W O M E N

Leadership

HONORARY MENTIONS

2021 Influential Women in Business Winner, Julie Burrell! She set the bar high and continues to be an exceptional leader. We are fortunate to have her on the committee this year and as a speaker during the event. Julie serves as the Economic Development Director with The Right Place. She has a long list of accomplishments positively impacting our communities You can find her adventuring with her family, hiking the North Country Trail or volunteering for her community.

Keleigh Grim, our Key Note Speaker, is the CEO of Haven Design Build She has been a licensed Architect since 2012 specializing in Energy and Environmental Design. Since then she has built an impressive portfolio of design projects. She has led many international building project missions overseas. Assisted in starting the ADU Collective and has grown it substantially in 3 years. She's a wife and mother to 3 kids under 5! Loves to travel, learn new languages and has a passion for natural building. She has lived all over the US and now resides in Fremont.

HONORED NOMINEES

Tara Nelson is the Executive Director for Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect. She eloquently presents Kids Have Rights to more than 2500 kids that helps teach who safe adults are and that their voices matter She leads Summer Magic which provides affordable summer care. She provides a safe sleep education program and care packages Tara is part of Safe Kids Coalition, providing free car seats at community events and is involved in Inspire the Cloud. Her most recent accomplishment has been creating a t li d t t ovide prevention, ound services.

Darcie Witte is a Personal Banker for Fifth Third Bank who is always looking to help others. She has been with the company since 2014 where she has had tremendou growth and has exceeded expectations in her current position. Darcie serves on her Church Board, Hesperia Athletic Boosters and United Way of Lakeshore. She's the recipient of the Best of the West award! Darcie and her husband have 11 kids between them, 23 grandchildren and two dogs.

Director for Mecosta

In this role she leads opment through attraction, retention and expansion of business and industry. She has served on the White Cloud Revitalization Committee, NC Economic Development Advisory Committee, NC Tourism Council, Search & Rescue and NC Emergency Preparedness Kelly has volunteered with many organizations including, NC United Way, Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, athletic coach & much more! She is the first one you want on your team and is an amazing advocate to other woman!

HONORED NOMINEES

Amy Stockwell is the White Cloud Community Library Director. She started as an NCRESA summer intern has earned her way to the top! Amy is the current Lincoln Twp. Treasurer. She's served on the boards for little league and White Cloud Area Fire District. Served on the Administration Council for 12 years and she's active in youth ministries for her church. Amy is a student mentor at WC Elementary and Building Bridges. She took the library from pandemic shut down to a community icon. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she brings good will and agencies back together.

April Storms is the City Manager of White Cloud where she has made a huge impact in a short time! She is the CFO for the city budget, oversees the dpt heads for the police dpt, DPW, city offices and operation of the airport as well as being active in the day to day of the city and all events. She works closely with the businesses and chamber to improve the City of White Cloud and its image. She's on several boards, committees and regularly volunteers. She is a strong leader and has a drive that is genuinely inspiring. The community recognizes her as a woman of integrity, grace & dedication. April says she couldn't do it without the support of her husband and 3 amazing kids!

Diane Schindlbeck is the proud owner, along with her husband, of Schindy's at Diamond Lake They spent countless hours bringing Diamond Lake Store back to the stunning eatery & convenience store it is today They pride themselves on carrying Made in MI products & collaborates with local businesses to share the support She is the owner of Schindy's K9, a non profit that advocates for K9 assistance in law enforcement. They raised $8,000 in 2020 for the NC Sheriff's Dpt! You may know her best from her influential political career for the state of MI on a national level. She believes no matter what she's doing professionally, it's what they do for others when they can that is the most rewarding job.

RED NOMINEES

Lola Harmon Ramsey is the Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement for American Classic. Previously, she successfully ran Cart Right Recycling for 16 years where she grew the business from scratch. She has served on the Community Foundation Board of Trustees & numerous committees, Fremont City Council, Fremont Public Schools and more She continues to advocate for environmental stewardship, recycling & community engagement through her new role. Lola is described as soft spoken but fierce and a true community leader

Mary Rangel works for District Health Department #10. She's been with the Grant WIC office for 18 years She has served on the FACF board & committees and Love INC board. One of her most known accomplishments is Chairing the Sparta Area Migrant Resource Council and one of their established events that helps migrant and farm working school aged children with school supplies and personal items. In her spare time she looks forward to creating memories with her grandkids and of course, children

Melissa Miller serves as Administrator for Career and College Readiness with NCRESA . She helps engage students through tough life decisions mostly by providing a welcoming environment and personality to match. Melissa is involved with Headway Coalition, Literacy Coach Program, Student Advancement Consultant and Great Start. She serves on the executive committee for the Michigan Promise Zone Association and is a Community Board Member for Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial. Melissa is the proud recipient of the You Make a Difference Award from MSU.

HONORED NOMINEES

Jalisa Denhof is the Camp Director for Camp Newaygo. Jalisa successfully operates one of only a few remaining all girls overnight summer camps. She guides programming promoting grit, resilience and independence. Jalissa has broken records with business and enrollment for the camp. She is a contributor for the GoCampPro podcast, served on the state covid outreach board and American Camp Association National Emerging Professionals in Camping. She speaks at national camping conferences and consults with other camps to build their success Jalissa is a self proclaimed feminist, mom and a fan of all things chocolate!

Nicole Klomp is the first police social worker in Newaygo County! She single handedly created this position after seeing the value in collaboration from her experience with Arbor Circle and as a NC resident. Nicole has been involved with many community events including Shop with a Cop, Gus Macker, NC Kids Day & FOP K9 Golf Outing. She has made an impact by being a cheerleading coach & her previous work with DHS. Nicole has been a motivational speaker for FSU, serves on NC Human Trafficking Task Force & NC3, NC Headway Coalition, strategic planning committee, SA/DV Task Force & more. Award winner of th AC/NPD SW '22!

Lisa Lightfoot is a top ranked Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt. She has served on the Board of Directors for River Country Chamber for years and has acquired more volunteer hours than anyone else. She is highly involved with West Central Association of Realtors as well as volunteers for their events. Lisa serves on the Gerber Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, too She does highway cleanup with MDOT and rings the bell for Salvation Army. Lisa has smashed records with over 15 million in sales She has been the recipient of Newaygo's Honorary Christmas Walk award.

RED NOMINEES

Manda Hample is the Cosmetology Instructor for NC

Career Tech Center. She has been a cosmetologist for 25 years and previously worked for local fav, Joan & Company. She opened her own salon and spends 2 nights/week there, which still allows time with her husband, two children and college classes. She has aided in raising money for students in hardship. This profession has provided her the opportunity to work with Skills USA, a student competition where they get to showcase their skills. She has the honor being a colead for the Academic Team in the building.

Jennifer Fort is the Vice President and Head of Public Relations for the non profit organization, Newaygo Ghostbusters. She initiates and leads programs that engage and encourage community involvement and family activities. She leads charitable drives and volunteers She contributes time, talent and monetary gifts to all efforts of the organization. Jennifer has formed personal connections within the community and is able to provide emergency assistance to those in need She successfully piloted a weekly online story time to promote littering awareness and education.

Please note the list of accomplishments, achievements and civic leadership these woman hold is far too long to print on this publication. We hope you've enjoyed getting to know these amazing woman by the items that have been highlighted for you or getting the chance to chat with them today! Choosing "winners" from the honored nominees was not an easy task for our panel of judges. We are so grateful for those who took the time to let us know about an influential woman in their life We wouldn't have an event without community support If you ever need a pick me up, a woman to look up to, or someone that just sounds fun to be around, here's a great list to pick from! This event was started by Kamille Massey in 2021 during her employment with River Country Chamber. She had a vision and we are hoping our collaboration with Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Area Community Foundation and the Newaygo Economic Development Partners powered by The Right Place is doing it justice We can't wait to see the impact this has for our communities

W O M E N

inLeadership

and athe nd the Winners Winners

Tara Nelson

Harmon-Ramsey

Nicole Klomp