Every year, Corp! Magazine’s Most Valuable Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals Awards honor business leaders who have made Michigan a better place to live and work through their careers, their community involvement and their passion.
MVP honorees are deserving members of the community who are creating job opportunities, driving economic growth, nurturing community advancements or leading successful companies.
MichBusiness President and CEO Jennifer Kluge said the organization believes “it’s important to celebrate” the people who are moving Michigan forward.
“It’s important to recognize their new ideas, products and services, all of which make our state’s communities stronger,” Kluge said. “That is the focus of these awards … to truly recognize achievements among a diverse group of professionals in a variety of areas.”
This year, Corp! honored more than 40 winners, including:
Most Valuable Professionals
Kim Blair is director of business development for Rebel Nell, a certified women-owned business and People and Planet First company providing employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment.
Blair oversees business development and all retail aspects of the company, overseeing stores and all events and experiences.
Her biggest accomplishment was seeing a team grow that can thrive on their own and in turn help you be better in your role. She believes finding the right people for the right spot is “the secret sauce for success” and not an easy task.
“Developing an amazing team is by far the biggest challenge and biggest accomplishment you can take on in any role,” Blair said. “They continue to support work that needs to get done so I can continue to grow our client base.”
One thing she has learned is that she is, after all, human and, therefore, not perfect.
“I can still make huge leaps in my career and achieve amazing things,” she said. “I always strive for perfection, but working in a woman-owned company has a layer of humanity you don’t get everywhere. I will bring this humanity with me no matter where I go. It puts your team at ease to continue learning and stay engaged.”Her best piece of advice seems simple: Ask for help.
“You cannot achieve even more without a team supporting the same mission,” Blair said. “This can range from asking for a referral or someone to help you load product into your car. When you are aligned and have a common goal the support you can get is unmatched. You can lead and you can also achieve together.”
Adam Clarke is the President of 1 Bold Step, a growth marketing agency in the heart of Grand Rapids. He has always had a passion for West Michigan and seeing businesses grow. In 2019, he achieved that dream.
He went from promoting local businesses as an intern in 2008 to launching his own local business in 2019. Since then, he has transformed 1 Bold Step into an award-winning agency and grown his team to more than 20 employees.
Under his leadership, 1 Bold Step has earned many awards. These include Top 50 Business to Watch at the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards, Best Marketing Agency in Michigan at the Best of MichBusiness Awards, and Best Small Business by SmartZone.
Clarke also combines his business acumen with his love for people and community. Whether it is coaching youth soccer teams or serving on the boards of various nonprofits. He has always dedicated himself to bettering the local community.
Jaimie Clayton is president and CEO of Oakland Family Services, a nonprofit family service agency providing early childhood services including home visiting programs, two preschools and childcare centers, foster care and adoption, and mental health and substance abuse treatment services in Oakland County.
Clayton has been there for 23 years, including the last 10 as president and CEO following eight years as vice president of programs.
Like many not-for-profits and other companies, Oakland Family Services has struggled with staffing shortages that impacts its ability to serve clients and has reduced revenue in key programs. The big challenge and accomplishment have been focusing on culture, retention and strategic human resources approaches, stabilizing staffing in many areas and gaining traction in others.
“OFS earned our 10th consecutive Top Workplace award through the Detroit Free Press, affirming our focus on culture and investing in our work force to create an agency that builds brighter future for those we serve,” Clayton said.
One lesson Clayton learned very early on is that culture trumps strategy, but COVID and the years since have proven this to be truer.
“Our ability to weather a difficult funding environment, the ‘great resignation’ and continue to serve people with greater needs, has been in great part due to a focus on our cultural values as our guide,” Clayton said. “I have learned that as CEO my role creating the structure and opportunity for staff to have ownership of a strong and healthy culture, and for leadership to see the success of our workplace culture as the key to providing quality programming/ services is essential.”
Clayton’s best piece of advice? Be open to all input and feedback, and to seeing yourself in roles you might not expect or anticipate.
“I never planned on becoming a CEO or even considered a formal leadership role when I became a therapist,” she said. “I found mentors that helped me grow and formalize my innate leadership qualities and start to see myself in new ways and seek opportunities I might not have considered otherwise. And since then, I continue to take all feedback seriously and know that my humanity is part of what makes me successful, but also means I will make mistakes and thus strive to grow and be better.”
Sheri Crifasi is vice president of employee benefits for Brown & Brown Insurance, a full-service international insurance firm founded in 1985.
Crifasi is an Employee Benefit Consultant out of the Troy office, where they place, service and manage over $30 billion dollars in premiums each year.
The past year presented a significant career decision for Crifasi who, after 17 years of dedicated service to a company and its leadership team, made the challenging choice to explore a new opportunity at another firm. Ultimately, she said, she embraced the challenge and took the leap, “prioritizing courage and a willingness to learn over the fear of potential setbacks.”
“I’m happy to report that I’m now nearly a year into my new position, and it’s been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The company culture and the supportive team environment are truly exceptional. While the transition has required significant effort and adaptation, it has also fueled my professional development, leading to a deeper sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.”
She said she’s learned that “if I focus on truly helping people in every possible way, great success will always follow.”
One piece of advice she has: “Live with purpose and passion. Love what you do. Serve others.”
Dr. Denene De Quintal is associate curator for Native American Art for the Detroit Institute of Arts, founded in 1885 and maintaining a collection of 70,000 artworks that survey 8,000 years of human creativity across six continents.
She called opening a gallery of Contemporary Native American Art at the DIA “one of the greatest accomplishments of this year.” She is “reengaging the Native American, Indigenous, and Detroit communities” with the Indigenous Americas art collection, strategically acquiring contemporary and historical art, addressing NAGPRA concerns, and enacting best practices for the display of Native American art.
One lesson she’s learned is people cannot be forced to change. “But you can continue to try to make a difference, by standing for what is right,” she said.
Her best piece of advice? “Surround yourself with trustworthy and dependable people who are willing to work hard toward the same goals.”
Staci Dodson-Beurer is the Chief Human Resource Officer for Acro Service Corporation, a leading global staffing and workforce management solutions provider.
As CHRO for the last 12 years, Dodson-Beurer’s role involves overseeing all aspects of human capital management.
Her biggest accomplishment was being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House, part of the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award program. The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated more than 4,000 hours to community service throughout their lives.
“I have proudly completed over 9,500 hours of service, mostly benefiting the people of Michigan,” Dodson-Beurer said. “Giving back to my community has always been a deeply held personal value of mine, and I am incredibly grateful for this recognition.
She was also crowned the inaugural Modern Ms. International by the United International Elite (UIE) Pageant system.
Her most important lesson is that learning is a lifelong journey, having reinforced her belief that everyone, regardless of experience or tenure, has wisdom to impart and lessons to absorb.
“What I hold dear is the conviction that it’s never too late to embark on a new path or pursue a long-held aspiration,” she said. “Continuously setting and achieving goals, both personally and professionally, is pivotal to sustained growth.”
Her best piece of advice? Never shy away from taking risks.
“Believing in your own capabilities and actively pushing beyond your comfort zone to pursue opportunities, rather than waiting for them to find you, can be transformative,” she said. “Taking initiative not only cultivates confidence but also demonstrates resilience in the face of challenges.”
Alysia Green is a senior culture & DEI consultant for Marsh McLennan Agency, which provides business insurance, employee health & benefits, retirement and private client insurance solutions to businesses and individuals.
Green is a part of Marsh McLennan Agency’s, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice Team. Her role is to work with companies/ organizations that hire the agency to develop and implement Inclusion & Belonging strategies to transform the organization to appeal to and support all employees.
She calls working with a financial institution of some 500 employees working with a financial institution with roughly 500 employees, headquartered in a mid-sized city in Minnesota her greatest professional accomplishment in her current role. Everyone from the President/CEO down to front-line team members, she said, has embraced the “true sense of diversity, equity & inclusion that, when done correctly, is intended to benefit everyone with no one excluded through belonging, fairness and accessibility.”
“I have been able to provide strategic guidance and training while helping them implement tactical resources for all employees to thrive, no matter how they present or identify,” Green said. “Overall, my proudest moments with this client, has been the small group discussions and large group sharing where many employees who identify with the majority demographic, have developed ‘talking points’ about what DEI is and what it is not. They have recognized that, for example, as veterans or someone with a Southern accent, or are neuro-diverse, these are unique characteristics that transcend race, ethnicity, gender, age, etc.”
One thing she learned early on was that “Everybody is Somebody.” “I’ve carried that throughout my career,” she said.
One piece of advice she’d give: Treat people with kindness.
“Maya Angelou had a wonderful quote, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,’” Green said. “You never know with whom you’re engaging or who is watching your actions. Your next career move could be accelerated or stalled because you chose to be or not to be, kind to someone.”
Evette Griffie is vice president of customer and community engagement for DTE Energy, which provides electricity, natural gas, and related services to customers in Michigan.
In her role, Griffie leads teams responsible for DTE’s customer and community outreach in addition to overseeing customer billing and financial operations, which include initiatives to deliver energy assistance to vulnerable customers.
She said her biggest accomplishment for the year was “building a coalition” to support increased energy assistance for vulnerable customers.
One thing she has learned that she’ll carry through her career: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast!”
Her best piece of advice is to be willing to do the work no one else seems willing to do.
“Raise your hand for the important and scary projects/assignments that no one else wants,” she said.
Minal Kamat is the AVP of Branch Operations and Facilities for University of Michigan Credit Union, a member-focused financial institution dedicated to offering a comprehensive range of banking services and products designed to meet the needs of our diverse membership.
Kamat’s primary role is developing bench strength and cultivating future leaders within the organization.
Her greatest accomplishment in the past year, she said, was leading the “Play It Forward” instrument drive at UMCU. The drive set a goal of collecting 70 instruments to support local school music education programs but ended up collecting 275 instruments—nearly four times our target. The credit union also
donated $7,000 to cover the repair costs for these instruments, ensuring they are in excellent condition for students.
“One of the biggest challenges we faced was managing the logistics of collecting, storing, and repairing such a large number of instruments,” Kamat said. “To address this, we established a dedicated staging area within our branches and collaborated closely with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (A2SO). This partnership not only streamlined the process but also deepened our community connections and underscored the importance of supporting arts education.
“The response from the community was truly inspiring,” she added. “We experienced an outpouring of support, with many members eager to contribute instruments and funds.”
One lesson learned is that “reflection exercises are essential” for effective leadership and personal development.
“I’ve found that self-reflection is vital for assessing my growth and ensuring I am continually making a positive impact,” she said. “Taking the time to reflect allows me to evaluate my contributions, progress, and future goals. It’s … about understanding how my work contributes to both my organization and society.”
What’s one piece of advice she’d offer others? Embrace a philosophy of continuous learning and adaptability.
“In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, staying relevant and seizing new opportunities requires a commitment to ongoing development,” she said. “Additionally, seeking feedback from mentors and peers, and using it constructively, is crucial. It enables you to refine your approach and address areas for improvement effectively.”
Jennifer Koster is the chief people officer for Liv Communities, which develops, owns, and operates best-in-class, amenity-rich multifamily living communities that encompass the physical spaces and programming to bring people together, provide opportunities for personal growth, connect them to their broader communities, and offer opportunities to serve others with their passions and talents.
Koster leads people and culture, people operations, talent acquisition, strategic planning, leadership development, and the internal team member coaching program.
After receiving executive coaching for almost five years, this past year she became a Meta Performance Institute certified coach.
“Coaching was so transformational for me personally that I want to share it with others,” Koster said. “From there, a small team of certified coaches at Liv Communities collaborated to build and launch our internal coaching program. All team members at Liv may apply to receive coaching. When launching our first coaching session, we had a waiting list of 20 people! I’m grateful to be a part of giving back by coaching others and celebrating their personal development and achievements.”
This past year she also joined Chief; the largest private network of senior executive women dedicated to strengthening women in leadership. Through connections made within Chief, she was invited to be a guest speaker at a master’s level leadership class at NYU this past year and will be speaking there again in October.
Perhaps the biggest challenge she’s faced this past year, she said, is “vulnerably sharing my journey” with a hidden disability, Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).
“I posted about my personal experiences living with hEDS on LinkedIn throughout the month of May for EDS Awareness Month and I spoke on Leading Beyond Limits – Resilience through the lens of a Hidden Disability to the Multifamily Mentor Group,” she said. “I believe there is power in the way we shape our beliefs and mindsets. While striving to lead and live beyond limits, we can discover new possibilities and cultivate growth. My message is one of hope and resilience, encouraging others to approach life with curiosity rather than judgment.”
She said sharing that vulnerability taught her something she’ll carry through life: “When you share vulnerably and authentically, it’s a catalyst for building deep genuine connections with others.”
“After sharing my journey with hEDS, so many people have reached out to let me know how much they appreciated it and how impactful it was for them in their own lives,” she said. “Knowing that sharing my story was helpful and meaningful to others, makes it all worth it.”
The one piece of advice she’d share: “Receive coaching to find out what is getting in their own way and to reveal potential beyond what they ever thought possible.”
“This is what I’ve learned though my own coaching experience,” she said. “Growing and learning is never done, so we get to practice daily by putting in the work of self-reflection and development.”
Harry Kemp is senior vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel for Lear Corp., a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems headquartered in Southfield and serving every major automaker in the world.
Kemp’s responsibilities include overseeing Legal, Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Ethics and Compliance as well as the corporation’s Sustainability initiatives.
The accomplishment of which he is most proud over the past year is managing the transition into his new role as Chief Administrative Officer.
“I am a lawyer by training and experience, but I now am responsible for functions as diverse as human resources, sustainability, and marketing and communications,” Kemp said. “Because of the strength and quality of my team, who lead these functions day-to-day, and a willingness on my part to listen and learn, things are moving efficiently and in the right direction.”
One thing he’s learned is the importance of delegation and trusting the leaders who report to him. As my responsibilities have broadened, he’s learned not to try and master and manage every detail.
“Rather, I need to have the confidence in my team that they are making the right decisions and focusing on the right things,” he said. “In this way, the help I can provide is in advising on strategic direction, removing roadblocks, prioritizing initiatives and communicating to the various stakeholders in the organization.”
His best piece of advice would be to think less about themselves and more about others, asking the question, “What can I do to help my organization, my function and my teammates achieve their goals?”
“By adopting that outward mindset and spirit of service, you’ll find that the rest will take care of itself, as you’ll be recognized as an unselfish, committed, team player,” he said. “And, if things don’t work out exactly as you planned, it’s still a pretty fulfilling way to go through life.”
John Line is executive vice president of property management and construction for Huntington Construction Company, which has completed thousands of high-end, yet cost effective projects for government as well as the commercial, retail, and healthcare industry.
Line supports property management and helps the leadership team drive growth, with expanded responsibilities that now include a greater focus on construction.
With the construction industry going through significant changes, with rising material and labor costs and challenges in the office market industry, securing projects has become a slower and more intensive process.
“We’ve concentrated on working closely with clients and brokers, employing value engineering, competitive bidding, and partnering with outstanding vendors to secure jobs,” Line said.
His best lesson: Adaptation to the environment is the key to success.
The one piece of advice he’d give would be to find something you love and be passionate about it.
“Continuously seek to learn and improve,” he said. “Communication is paramount.”
AnnMarie Ottoy is the director of communications for Dutton Farm, a provider of behavioral health services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oakland and Macomb Counties. Dutton Farm offers prevocational skill-building through our Adult Education and Community Involvement programs, as well as workforce development. We also offer a way for our participants to explore their creative side through our Art Without Limits program.
Ottoy manages both internal and external communications for Dutton Farm.
Dutton Farm can celebrate “big accomplishments,” but Ottoy said raising a child with disabilities and working in behavioral health have taught her “the value of appreciating smaller victories” and the “resilience required to overcome daily challenges.”
Those insights, she said, have been fundamental in her work on a project that has been a labor of love for the past five years: a $1.4 million, 15,000 square foot inclusive playground in Clinton Township.
“Inspired by my son and my desire to build a more inclusive community, I submitted my idea to the township and, once approved, recruited a committee of dedicated parents and community activists to form the Inclusive Playground Pals who then selected me as chairperson,” Ottoy said. “We worked together to gather community support through numerous presentations and grassroots fundraisers. A $1 million grant from the State of Michigan brought us close to our goal, with Clinton Township closing the final funding gap.” The playground is scheduled for completion in October.
Ottoy said she’s “come to understand” the importance of stepping forward onto a path that may not seem clear at first and trusting it will appear as she moves forward.
“Having faith in the process is a necessary part of the process,” she said. “This lesson has been reinforced through my involvement in the inclusive playground project, as well as in the expansion of Dutton Farm with our new Macomb County location and the Adult Education Community Center in Rochester.”
One thing she’d tell anyone seeking advice: “Discover something you’re passionate about that gives you a sense of purpose.”
“Investing time in your purpose can lead to success in various ways, both personally and professionally, and open doors to new connections and opportunities you might not have imagined,” she said. “As you pursue your purpose, your unique talents will naturally emerge. Focus on them, refine them, and use them to your advantage. In my experience, this approach fosters growth and ultimately success.”
Natalie Rubino is operations manager, Market Format Stores for Meijer.
She is the Store Manager, Woodward Corner Market, which owns all pieces of the business including merchandising and operations.
Her greatest accomplishment has been exceeding expectations in sales and net profit. Her store was named Business of the Year for 2023 by the Berkley Chamber of Commerce and Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce.
She said her biggest lesson has been simple.
“If you have passion for people, you have passion for results,” Rubino said.
Her best piece of advice? “You can drive results through communication and engagement with your team,” she said.
Roy Sexton is director of marketing at Clark Hill, a full-service commercial law firm with targeted legal service across industries and practices, including corporate law, healthcare law, and more.
With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development and strategic planning, Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts.
Sexton said he’s “proud of how DEI has become so fully integrated” into his professional efforts. Clark Hill received Mansfield Certification for its efforts in the DEI space as well as conducting firmwide allyship training, all led by its HR team, supported by the marketing team on external messaging, including a series of DEI-focused videos.
“This year I was tapped to host a digital series through Expert Webcast entitled ‘All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth,’ featuring thought leaders, authors, academics, and other professionals discussing the benefits of personal branding and bringing our full selves to the workplace,” Sexton said. “Each episode has had a digital reach of around 20,000, which is very gratifying.”
His most important lesson came from his boss: Take the pause.
“We live in such a wired world and, while responsiveness will always have its place, being measured and thoughtful, listening and learning first, and then collaboratively coming to solutions always wins the day,” he said. “This has been transformational advice for me.”
The piece of advice he’d give others? Be open and inquisitive to all adventures before you.
“Every task represents an opportunity to learn, and nothing should be ‘beneath us,’” he said. “Obviously, know and hold your worth, but sometimes working on that presentation with a colleague is an opportunity to see how others think, to help shape narrative, and to expand your skill set.”
Bill Stec is manager of recruitment & campus relations for Yeo & Yeo, a leading accounting, tax, audit, technology, medical billing, wealth management, and advisory firm with more than 225 employees.
Stec develops and executes strategic talent management initiatives to recruit the best candidates, engage and retain current employees, and drive a high-performance culture across all Yeo & Yeo’s 10 offices throughout Michigan.
He said his greatest accomplishment in the last year was co-chairing the 2024 Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance State Conference in Lansing, which brought in a record attendance of nearly 200 higher education and human resources/recruiter professionals across the state.
“We flew in 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lisa Fernandez, who shared her inspiring journey with us and how she is working with her college athletes to achieve their goals on and off the field and into the workforce,” Stec said. “The purpose of the conference is to promote and maximize career potential and the advancement of internship, cooperative education, and employment within the state of Michigan through collaborative relationships among employers, colleges, and universities.”
One thing he’s learned recently is that someone is always watching the great work you are doing, without you knowing it.
“Everything happens for a reason, and you never know when your name will be called for career opportunities you never even thought of,” Stec said. “Keep thriving on what you do, learn from your mistakes because no one is perfect and most importantly, have fun doing what you love to do and make the best of it. Life is too short.”
Tiffany Love-Brown is the director of advertising at the MGM Grand Detroit, which features a hotel and spa, casino, and other entertainment venues.
Love-Brown is responsible for the external and internal marketing and branding for the award-winning resort.
Her biggest challenge, and success, is a personal one. “Stepping outside of my comfort zone (personally and professionally) has been rewarding,” she said.
She’s got a dual role (she’s also a mother), which has brought a big lesson.
“I’ve learned in my dual role as marketer and mom to plan for the unexpected and remain agile and ready to pivot,” Love-Brown said.
Her best piece of advice revolves around communication.
“Foster good relationships and communication within your organization if you want to see collaboration at its best,” she said. “For professional and personal growth, seek out mentors that can give you honest feedback.”
Regina Ann Campbell is president and CEO of BUILD Institute, a non-profit organization with a national footprint, headquartered in Corktown in Detroit.
Campbell is responsible for evolving the organization to meet the needs of small businesses in a constantly changing ecosystem. She collaborates with the team and the program’s alumni of more than 2,600 to ensure the fulfillment of its commitment to help them grow and sustain their businesses.
One of her greatest challenges, she said, transformed into one of her biggest accomplishments as she navigated through the pressure of increasing results with minimal impact to the budget and quality of services.
“I evaluated our financials and policies to assess areas of waste to determine where we could get our greatest returns,” Campbell said. “I leveraged our lean team’s functionality to execute our book of work to be able to provide the quality of services we’re known for. Working through these processes supports my ability to develop a blueprint for optimal organizational functionality and increase organizational capacity through operational excellence.”
She has recently learned that a leader is “only as good as the team, and teams must be carefully curated.”
“Successful team building drives organizational culture, which should be conducive to fostering authenticity and wellness while embracing work life balance,” she said. “Many of us launched our careers during a time when the model for success was solely based on being driven to get ahead and investing countless hours in becoming successful without consideration of work life balance and overall wellness.
“I encourage my team to be their authentic selves, provide opportunities for them to grow professionally, and take time for self-care and be fully present on their life’s journey,” she added.
Her best piece of advice? Build a bench of mentors and coaches who will offer advice, feedback, and support.
“Iron sharpens iron,” she said. “Understand that personal and professional growth go hand in hand. As you evolve professionally you have to continue to do the same for yourself as an individual, especially if you aspire to take on a leadership role. Life’s journey should be enjoyed while career building.”
Christina Martinico is a commercial banker with JPMorgan Chase, a leading financial services firm with a purpose of strengthening, protecting and growing its business, clients and communities.
Martinico supports the Michigan region’s midsize businesses at every stage of growth through tailored solutions including credit and financing, digital banking and payments, treasury and merchant services and international banking.
She called being honored as a Corp! Magazine Most Valuable Professional “a great accomplishment for me.”
“I am thrilled to be recognized in this way,” she said.
The importance of “advocating for yourself” has been something she’s learned this year especially, she said.
“I tend to shy away from sharing successes and talking about my strengths, hoping others would take notice of my hard work, but waiting can have the opposite effect,” she said. “I started to break out of my shell this year and speak up more. I sought out advocates and mentors, and in doing so I became more comfortable talking about myself.”
Her best piece of advice? Have patience.
“Career progression and growth is sometimes lateral, which can allow you to broaden and deepen your skill set,” Martinico said. “Be patient, work hard, and try not to compare your career progression to others, as everyone has a different path.”
Janet Pasco is market president for Horizon Bank in southeastern Michigan. She leads a team of commercial lenders and together strives to help local small and mid-sized businesses grow by assisting them with financing.
Pasco has spent the last few years building a team that is achieving record levels of growth in a challenging banking environment.
“I am very proud of their ability to overcome adversity and still achieve great results for our clients,” she said.
Something she has learned is that “helping to support other professionals early on their own professional journeys brings me great joy.”
Her best piece of advice would be finding a good mentor to help set the right kind of interim goals to achieve long-term dreams.
“I also recommend that everyone adopt a continuous learning mindset and read or listen to new thought leaders from a wide variety of disciplines regularly to keep their ideas fresh and new,” Pasco said.
Jeff Styers is owner and CEO of Arrow Strategies, a national talent acquisition firm doing business in 27 states specializing in Information Technology,
Engineering, Professional and Healthcare verticals through contract staffing, contract-to-hire, high-end permanent placement services and project-based work by deploying hundreds of employees at a time on specific project-based work.
Styers focuses on strategic initiatives, influencing the firm’s award-winning culture, meeting with clients and consultants and ensuring exceptional execution of its services.
Among the challenges have been navigating an economy that continues to right itself because of the pandemic while the macro economy continues to remain soft.
“This is especially felt in the staffing industry as many large clients have restricted adding new employees or have placed hiring freezes,” Styers said. “Despite this, along with a 40% contraction in the staffing industry, Arrow Strategies is enjoying another impressive year of growth through exceptional execution and pivoting our service offerings.”
Arrow Strategies, he said, has always thrived through adversity, having been incorporated six months after 9/11, experiencing double-digit growth through the Great Recession, shattering corporate records during the global pandemic and continuing to post impressive growth during this latest soft economy.
“The lesson,” Styers said, “comes from remaining insular by focusing on what you can influence and be fanatical about execution.”
His best piece of advice: Visualize and internalize exactly where it is you want to be, and then reverse-engineer every step necessary to accomplish it.
“Then set out by doing the next thing required to successfully gain each rung on the ladder,” he said. “Be willing to work hard, sacrifice, and put forth the effort required to obtain your goal.”
Susan Virgin is director of accounting services for Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci PC (DKSS CPAS + Advisors), a CPA firm that works with individuals and organizations on their accounting, tax and business advisory needs.
Virgin, who became Director of the Accounting Services Group in January 2023, leads the firm’s small business initiatives in areas of business start-up, QuickBooks consulting, business and tax planning.
Her greatest accomplishment this year, she said, was “skillfully leading the IT team” through the complex challenges and issues associated with a major software conversion.
“Despite the obstacles, I ensured a seamless and successful transition,” she said.
She has recently learned the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of technology, as well as being “open to new ideas and willing to learn new skills.”
“This mindset not only helps in overcoming challenges but also in staying ahead in the industry,” Virgin said. “I’ll carry this lesson with me throughout my career, always striving to grow and adapt to new advancements and opportunities.”
One piece of advice she would give would be to embrace continuous learning.
“The world is constantly changing, and staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and skills in your field can set you apart,” she said. “This not only makes you more valuable to employers but also keeps your work interesting and fulfilling.”
Most Valuable Young Professionals
Nathan Casey is a sales and leasing associate with Farbman Group, a full service commercial real estate firm.
Casey’s role as a trusted advisor with the firm is sales and leasing of commercial real estate; however, he sees himself as not just someone selling or leasing, but as someone who “adds value to our clients, helps them navigate their way through a tumultuous industry and stands with them through the storm.”
To get there, Casey had to persevere through the headwinds that were projected for 2024.
“The changing landscape in the commercial real estate market has been invigorating but difficult to navigate,” Casey said. “I would say that creative, outside-the-box thinking has helped my clients and me overcome this challenging year.”
While one of his best lessons came early in his career, Casey said it continues to hold true.
“You can go as far as you want in this world,” he said. “The time and effort put in will equate to the success you will have. Stay motivated, work hard, continue to grow, and set bigger and more challenging goals as you grow.”
His best piece of advice to others: Ask questions and be curious.
“If you have genuine interest in your field and want to grow, ask questions and talk to everyone,” he said. “Colleagues and experts in your field will share mistakes they’ve made along the way that you can learn from. As a younger person growing in their career, the advantage to avoiding mistakes those that came before me made is incredibly valuable.”
Jordan Gettel is CSR project and communications lead for Genisys Credit Union, a not-for-profit, member owned financial institution based out of Auburn Hills which has grown to become the fourth largest in Michigan serving over 270,000 members.
Gettel’s role is to lead projects and initiatives that make the credit union “committed to community,” including volunteer efforts, non-profit campaigns and projects, financial empowerment efforts, and more.
The year has included many successes and challenges, she said, from leading a company-wide project that raised over $54,000 to starting new partnerships with non-profit partners to being awarded a grant for a financial literacy project.
“To see first-hand the impact your work is having on the lives of community members is rewarding and inspiring; however, this work isn’t realized without the support of my team and that is the biggest accomplishment of them all,” Gettel said. “When you find individuals who give you a platform and advocate for your success, hold them close.”
One lesson she’s learned recently is the importance of having difficult conversations.
“Conflicts will arise, but it is pertinent to have open communication to get through them,” she said. “Holding resilience in the face of challenges is important for long-term success.”
Her best piece of advice are things she continues to call on moving through her career: Build your network and nurture your relationships; seek mentors; listen and observe more than you speak; imposter syndrome is real, don’t question your seat at the table because you were invited for a reason; time is one of the greatest assets, allocate it wisely and remain punctual; honor your wins and acknowledge your losses; remain a lifelong learner.
“Building the foundation of how you hold your professional self will follow you throughout your career,” she said.
Anna Grace is director of membership and events for Inforum, a nonprofit organization that helps women accelerate their careers through strategic networking and leadership development programs.
Grace executes more than 200 events annually to foster strategic connections and inspiration, and develops resources for Inforum members, providing them with first-hand education and tools for their careers.
She called being an integral part of Inforum’s membership growth in the next generation one of her greatest accomplishments this year.
“I’ve helped create opportunities for women to grow their networks, find inspiration, and develop essential leadership skills,” she said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how this initiative has positively impacted both their professional and personal lives.” She also added “triathlete” to her resume by completing the Belle Isle Triathlon in June.
Recently, she’s learned not only the importance of embracing change, but encouraging it, saying it brings “valuable lessons and makes progress possible.”
“Staying curious in your career—whether by seeking feedback, learning new skills, or making a lateral move—can provide the boost needed to view your career from a fresh perspective,” Grace said. “If you don’t change your approach then you will never change your results.”
Her advice? Stay connected and be a lifelong learner, because “every person you meet could open a door to a new opportunity.”
“You can gain invaluable insights from the people you encounter throughout your career, and approaching each day with a desire to learn from others will provide perspectives you never knew you needed,” she said. “Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, so you never stop learning.”
Emily Pace is the HR coordinator for National Food Group, which provides innovative menu selections for food service professionals across the country – K12, universities, casinos, stadiums, health care, hospitals, corrections, and more.
Pace is part of an HR team that recruits, onboards, administers benefits, provides training and runs a summer internship program.
For Pace, the year was one of “smaller challenges” that led to overall success. It was her goal to have a job soon after graduation, which she achieved with a job offer in March 2023. As the new year started, she accepted the role at National Food Group. She jumped right in and was ready to learn.
“I have been loving my experience with National Food Group,” Pace said. “Reflecting on my time this last year, I have created a lot of small accomplishments that have led to bigger accomplishments on the path to success in my career which makes me proud.”
Something she has learned recently is to always ask questions. “When learning something new, it is necessary to be able to perform with confidence,” she said. “Also in a group setting, someone else may be wondering the same but does not want to ask. It is never a bad thing to ask questions.”
Her best piece of advice? Stay curious and open minded.
“Everyone has something to bring to the table, which can help you not only learn, but look at things a different way,” she said.
Emily Patterson is health home director for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, which supports and serves some 123,000 children and adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, autism, intellectual and development disabilities.
Patterson leads the Health Homes department, which includes oversight of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Michigan state demonstration, and the Behavioral Health Home and Substance Use Disorder Health Home programs in Wayne County.
The biggest challenge the network has overcome, Patterson said, is the implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, something she called “an exciting and rewarding challenge.
“System transformation to models like CCBHC, which broaden access to mental health and substance use services, is critically important, but also comes with a learning curve,” Patterson said. “DWIHN, our providers and partners, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and so many other stakeholders are working hard to operationalize and optimize this model in Wayne County and beyond.”
The biggest lesson she has learned is that being a superhuman in all areas who handles all things isn’t realistic or beneficial to anyone.
“The ‘safety’ I felt when hanging on to control of all tasks is an illusion,” she said. “Leave space for your team to succeed, fail, or maybe even do it better than you can. Weigh the risks on your projects and tasks, and hand over the reins where it makes sense. There will be opportunities to learn and improve when you debrief with them on the project, regardless of if it was a resounding success or not.”
Her best piece of advice? Look for your mentors, and value your connections.
“I grew the most as a professional in one-on-one chats with my supervisors and colleagues that were not directly related, or didn’t appear to be related, to my day-to-day work,” Patterson said. “Say ‘yes’ when a colleague invites you to lunch, or a leadership development course is offered to you. Mentors who are eager to help others grow and develop are all around, you just need to keep your eyes open.”
Josh Pompey is regional manager for Consumers Credit Union, a full-service financial institution of $2.3 billion in assets and a recognized leader in digital banking technology, mortgages and business lending, headquartered in Kalamazoo.
Pompey focuses most of his time on serving members, removing obstacles for office leaders, and helping to build relationships within the community. He also serves on the talent magnet recruiting team, the UNITE diversity equity and inclusion committee, and in the mentorship program.
He called building a strong team in Lansing despite staffing challenges his greatest accomplishment.
“We successfully opened three new offices within a short span, and a fourth is on the way,” Pompey said. “I am proud of the dedicated group of professionals we’ve assembled, and I am grateful for their contributions to serving our members in the Lansing community.”
One valuable lesson he said he’s learned recently is to embrace curiosity when faced with difficult decisions.
“As the Lansing market and municipal departments expanded this year, the volume of decisions I needed to make daily also increased,” he said. “I discovered that by staying curious and asking additional questions, I could significantly reduce the stress associated with the decision-making process. Taking the time to gather more information has helped me make more informed and thoughtful choices.”
One piece of advice he’d give someone looking to grow their career is to find ways to serve others.
“Within your department, within your organization, within your community,” he said. “Make an impact serving others and opportunities will come your way.”
Paige Stanley is business development representative for ClickBid, an event fundraising platform located in West Michigan and specializing in empowering charities with seamless ticket sales, event promotions and engaging online auctions for over 22 years.
Stanley is the Business Development Representative within her team, but has also taken on additional responsibilities, such as helping teammates learn new skills and identifying new resources to be utilized.
Her biggest challenge this year was transitioning to a new role that was outside her personal comfort zone, pushing her boundaries by becoming a local advocate for the company and serving as the face of ClickBid in the community. Leadership changes left her without proper onboarding for her new job.
Her greatest accomplishment is her work with the Fruitport Athletic Foundation, where she dedicated over 20 hours outside of office hours to help this group host their most successful fundraising event ever.
“With my guidance and ClickBid’s fundraising tool, they raised over 100% more than in previous years,” Stanley said. “I am incredibly proud of their growth and look forward to seeing them continue to succeed each year.”
She said she has recently learned the importance of empathy and active listening in professional interactions. “By understanding the needs and concerns of colleagues and clients, I’ve built stronger relationships and created better solutions,” she said. “This improves teamwork, trust, and long-term success, and I will carry this lesson forward in my career.
“Working with nonprofits has opened my eyes to the challenges and resilience in Michigan communities,” she added. “I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for community efforts and the need to support local initiatives.”
One piece of advice she’d give: Focus on effective communication and relationship-building in all professional interactions.
“Truly understanding the needs and concerns of colleagues and clients can help build strong relationships and create effective solutions,” she said. “Additionally, balance teamwork with independent work. Collaborating with others brings diverse perspectives, while managing projects independently demonstrates reliability and initiative. Lastly, get involved with community efforts or nonprofits.”
Paul Altavena is president of ConnectPay, which provides payroll and payroll tax services to small businesses nationwide, guiding small business owners through the countless compliance requirements in order to pay their staff.
As the co-founder and president, Altavena currently leads the mergers and acquisitions team in a significant portion of the firm’s growth strategy.
Perhaps the company’s biggest accomplishment this year was completing the 33rd acquisition of a payroll services provider, adding both clients and staff to the ConnectPay family. ConnectPay has grown to over 220 team members today from 12 team members in 2018.
“Our unique proposition for sellers encompasses a strong fit with the ConnectPay culture of exceptional service and support,” Altavena said. “All stakeholders in an acquisition must win; clients, staff, seller, and buyer for a transaction to be realized. My lifelong commitment and passion for service has culminated this year in success for ConnectPay, the associates, and the clients.”
The years he’s spent working with and in small business has “reinforced my belief that small businesses are the lifeblood of America.”
“They are the soul of capitalism, the shining beacons of hard work, achievement, true community and the heart of freedom,” Altavena said. “Small business is the middle class, and we must nurture, support, and preserve its success.”
His best piece of advice? Foster a curiosity and love of learning each day, maintain a positive attitude, relish hard work and seek good counsel.
“Find your passion that will afford you a living to support your family and your community,” he said. “My mother once told me that “everyone puts their pants on the same way, never let anyone lead you to believe that they are better than you. You can do anything with the power of commitment and discipline.”
Alexandra Clark is the president of Bon Bon Bon, which ‘hand-u-factures’ Bon bonbons from “really good ingredients from down the street and halfway around the world” because the company believes “good people deserve truly good chocolate.”
Clark supports her management team through growth as “we navigate the best way to do that.”
In this past year, Bon Bon Bon has reached a stage of development where Clark feels the need to be much more flexible and available to jump on things “a la minute”.
“That’s been in contrast to the last phase where there was a lot of focused project implementation,” she said. “I continue to find myself trying to do both and am thankful for a team that can not only distinguish between the two but also alert me when I can’t.”
Bon Bon Bon turned 10 in July and with that anniversary, Clark said, “came a lot of reflection.”
“Suddenly things that people had said to me over and over became true to me in my own head and heart, as well,” she said. “When you’re ‘in it,’ it’s easy to see how things could be cuter, easier or more efficient, but with time on your side it’s easy to look back to appreciate and celebrate how far you have come.”
The best advice Clark’s ever gotten came from Billy Downs, founder of BD’s Mongolian Barbeque while she was training for an Ironman triathlon, but she uses it in business “all the time.”
“He said, ‘just keep walking.’ The idea was, on the run portion of the race, if you decided you were gassed and ready to quit, to ‘just keep walking’ (rather than stopping) while you thought about that so that by the time you were ready to run again you were that much further ahead,” Clark said. “I find that as I explore opportunities for growth in business – if you’re at a point of contemplation, just keep walking and you’ll know when and where to sprint when you’re ready.”
Jennifer Gavin is the CEO and co-founder of Apex Placement and Consulting, a Staffing, Payroll and Talent consulting agency for which Gavin’s role is all-encompassing, from operations to sales. As the company has grown her role has evolved more into thought leadership and strategy.
Apex Placement took what Gavin called “an aggressive approach to growth this year” and, in January, invested in several new markets (Macomb County, Washtenaw County, New York, Delaware and Ohio) and several new sales professionals.
“Seven months in, the return is now showing, and we should hit $12 million in revenue by year end, which is double where we ended in 2023,” she said. “In addition, we haven’t had any turnover. Hiring sales professionals is difficult and typically comes with some turnover because sales is not just hard skills and experience but also soft skills and culture. I’m so proud to say we haven’t had any turnover and instead, have added to head count (recruiters and admin support) due to the new sales team’s successes.”
One thing she’s learned that she’ll carry through life? Patience.
“Growing a multi-million-dollar business from the ground up is so challenging on so many levels and I’m a very urgent person,” she said. “However, you can’t rush the process as it takes time to build.”
One piece of advice she’d give to others would be to simply “Say yes!”
“Say yes to any and all opportunities that come your way,” Gavin said. “You never know when it will turn into something magnificent. My business partner and financier was my first boss so many years ago and when he approached me with starting my own agency, I was so scared to leave corporate stability that I almost walked away. Thank God I didn’t. And this is just one of a plethora of stories that I could share where I said yes to some opportunity, and it became an amazing experience.”
Christian Hawkins is the co-founder and CEO of Regeily & Bodyworks Wellness Spa, which provides in-person and on-location spa services in the metro Detroit area, providing “relaxation stations” for clients such as Bedrock, Hour Magazine, Tech Town, and Mercedes Benz Financial Services.
Hawkins is responsible for taking care of day-to-day operations, maintaining relationships with wholesalers and creating a “lasting connection” with customers through education.
Maybe her greatest accomplishment was getting through the pandemic and finally launching the firm’s e-commerce website in late April.
“I am so proud of the slow and steady approach we took to launch our company,” Hawkins said. “We are already in two Indie beauty stores and in negotiation with a third store that has a global footprint. Our biggest challenge is funding and supply chain shortages. We are currently still working through these issues, but we are on the right path.”
She has recently learned the importance of teamwork, delegation, and working within her area of expertise. After working as a solo practitioner for over a decade, she said, merging with a partner “has been refreshing.”
“It can be hard to hand tasks off to someone else, and it’s not something I’ve always been comfortable with,” Hawkins said. “However, delegating has allowed me to complete more tasks and run both businesses simultaneously. I believe we all have a little voice inside us that says, ‘You can DIY that assignment or project.’ We don’t realize that it will take us longer and that other tasks and responsibilities will go undone while trying to learn something we are not skilled at. I’ve developed an awareness that it’s time to hire this out.”
If she was going to give any advice, it would be this: If you’re looking to grow your career … fully immerse yourself in what you do.
“Stay committed to your craft, invest the time and money to attend conferences and stay up to date on the latest industry trends,” Hawkins said. “Connect with other professionals in your field, as they can help keep you grounded and focused during slow and tough times. Reinvent yourself within your industry, if necessary, but always remain dedicated to it.”
Angela Mitchell is president and founder of Bridged Benefit Solutions, a certified women-owned business that works with business owners, of all sized groups, to administer their employee benefits programs.
The year-round service model includes, but isn’t limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary, HSA and FSA products.
Bridged Benefit Solutions is finishing its fourth year with 100% client retention, accomplished, according to Mitchell, by building a boutique service model that “provides clients with year-round support and ongoing education.”
One lessons she’s learned recently is that there is “plenty of business to go around.”
“My style and service model are unique to me and no one else can duplicate it exactly,” she said. “We are very hands-on with the business owners as well as their employees and this allows us to attract the right clients for us.
The one piece of advice she’d give anyone asking: Always be willing to take on new tasks and assignments even if they are outside of the current job description.
“The more knowledge you have, the more valuable you are to employers,” Mitchell said. “You never know when you may uncover a hidden opportunity. More than once in my career, I was given a position that was created specifically for me because I was willing to dig in an learn something new and I now had a unique skill set.”
Michael Simon is CEO of Digital Industry Group (DIG), an industry leader in product development and innovation specializing in collaborating with dozens of brands to deliver digital experiences used by humans across the globe.
As CEO, Simon’s primary role is oversight over the financial health of the business. Secondary is ensuring his team is positioned for success from a capabilities, capacity and utilization standpoint. He’s also actively part of new business pitches and on-going client relations.
Being a part of two companies and managing time and conflicting priorities could be Simon’s greatest recent accomplishment.
“Time management has never been a strength of mine, so I’m forced to get better at organizing my day to day,” he said.
His best piece of advice? Don’t let your work define you.
“Even as an owner/operator, we spend so much time working it’s easy for that to define who we are,” Simon said. “Our work can help bring happiness, but it shouldn’t define it.”
Alison Vaughn is the founder and CEO of Jackets for Jobs, which has assisted nearly 35,000 job seekers with clothing and job training, helping them prepare for and secure employment. The group’s mission is to empower individuals by providing the essential tools and resources needed to succeed in the workforce.
Vaughn’s role is to oversee the organization and its operations, ensuring that it fulfills its mission and continues to make a positive impact on the community. As a vision-driven thought leader, Vaughn brings a wealth of experience in team leadership and collaboration, operations management, and nonprofit leadership and development.
She considers her greatest accomplishment this year being recognized as a “Game Changer” by the Ilitch Sports and Entertainment Company during a Detroit Red Wings game in March, coinciding with Women’s History Month. The acknowledgment was “not only a personal honor but also a testament to the impact of my work and the positive changes it has brought to our community.”
Another significant milestone was hiring a Program Director, a vital step in expanding and growing Jackets for Jobs. Bringing in a dedicated professional has allowed the organization to scale its operations and enhance our programs, ultimately reaching more individuals and making a greater difference.
“The biggest challenge we faced was navigating the complexities of expanding our team and services,” Vaughn said. “Balancing the needs of our current programs with the vision for future growth required strategic planning, adaptability, and a commitment to maintaining the high standards we set for ourselves. Overcoming these challenges has been a rewarding experience, reinforcing our mission and setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future.”
While it’s not a recent lesson, she said her faith in God has been a “guiding principle throughout my career and life.”
“I learned early on to trust in God’s plan and guidance, and this faith has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional journey,” she said. “It has provided me with the strength and resilience to navigate challenges and the humility to appreciate the blessings and successes along the way.
The mission of Jackets for Jobs — to clothe the poor and provide job seekers with appropriate attire for employment—is an extension of carrying out God’s work.”
One “crucial piece of advice” she’d offer to anyone looking to grow their career is to find a mentor.
“Having a mentor can provide invaluable guidance, support, and insight, helping you navigate the complexities of your professional journey,” Vaughn said. “My mentor is my mother, Betty Henderson, who is also an image consultant in the business. Her wisdom and experience have been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership and personal growth. Betty’s influence extends beyond me, as many of our Jackets for Jobs clients look up to her as a ‘mother’ figure, appreciating her nurturing guidance and expertise.”
