Workforce DE&I Working Group

Purpose

Significantly reduce the racial and ethnic disparities in labor force participation, employment, and income in West Michigan. Additionally, we will foster a community of belonging where all are provided opportunities for income security and economic mobility to build wealth.

2024 Objectives

  • TalentFirst member companies will report hiring and retaining more diverse talent by the end of 2024, utilizing DE&I Best Practices.
  • Increase participation of TalentFirst members in our Workforce DE&I Program — CEO Commitment, DE&I Benchmark Survey, DE&I Employer Toolkit, Inclusive Leadership Development event.

Purpose

Significantly reduce the racial and ethnic disparities in labor force participation, employment, and income in West Michigan. Additionally, we will foster a community of belonging where all are provided opportunities for income security and economic mobility to build wealth.

2024 Objectives

  • TalentFirst member companies will report hiring and retaining more diverse talent by the end of 2024, utilizing DE&I Best Practices.
  • Increase participation of TalentFirst members in our Workforce DE&I Program — CEO Commitment, DE&I Benchmark Survey, Talent Solutions Toolkit, Inclusive Leadership Development event.

Leadership

Headshot of Carly Smyly

Carly Smyly

Director of Employer Talent Strategies & Engagement

TalentFirst

Headshot of Isabel Medellin

Isabel Medellin

Global Director of DEI & Talent Acquisition

Steelcase

Headshot of Jeanette Hoyer

Jeanette Hoyer

CEO

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan

Headshot of Victor Sturgis

Victor Sturgis

Partner

Crowe

Membership

Jordan Aldrich
Meijer

Adriana Almanza
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Valissa Armstead
Corewell Health

Jim Brooks
Brooks Capital Management

Rebecca Chabot
On-River

Christine Coon
Grand Rapids Community College

Joe Dyer
DISHER

Marlene Kowalski-Braun
Grand Valley State University

Shana Lewis
Trinity Health

Brad Mathis
Rockford Construction

Candy McCorkle, PhD
Western Michigan University

Kolene Miller
Perrigo

Charisse Mitchell
YWCA West Central Michigan

Kacey Regan
DeWys Metal Solutions

Amber Snow
Amway

Misti Stanton
Mercantile Bank

Victor Sturgis
Crowe

Jamie Van Nest
SoundOff Signal

Mark Wassink
Warner Norcross + Judd

Megan Wilk
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

Related Publications

All Related Publications

Talent Solutions Playbook

This playbook provides practical tactics, metrics, and resources to support the recruitment, development, retention, and engagement of talent in the new era of work.

Five Essential Competencies of Effective Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leaders

By building on the foundation established by experienced DE&I leadership, this guide seeks to support the progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in West Michigan and beyond. The guide documents what a DE&I leader needs to know and be able to do to be effective in their role.

2020 Vision Report

A look at the past, present, and future state of West Michigan's workforce system.

Latest Insights

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To Drive Meaningful DEI Progress, ‘See Yourself as Change Leaders’

Most organizational transformations fail. Those that succeed follow a change management process with senior leaders setting the vision and showing the way. And that’s what...
  • February 26, 2024

Meet the Experts Joining our Inclusive Leadership Development Event

We’re pleased to announce the lineup for our Inclusive Leadership Development event, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof Center in...
  • February 11, 2024

A Q&A with DEI Leader Dr. Sandra Upton, Keynote for Our March 12 Event

Dr. Sandra Upton, founder and Chief DEI Strategist with Upton Consulting Group, will be the keynote speaker for our Inclusive Leadership Development event, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday,...