- BABE (Beacons of Achievement, Beauty & Excellence)
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- Michigan 2025 BABE Women of the Year
Michigan 2025 BABE Women of the Year
What's a BABE? A BABE is a successful woman or man who impacts the space they are in with authenticity, grace, and style. Their beauty is shown inside and outside through leadership and community service. When he or she enters a room, they stand out in any situation, even when they try to hide behind the scenes. For the second issue, BABE the Blog, I'm proud to announce the 2025 Michigan BABE Women of the Year. Keep scrolling to see who they are and connect.
I’m still riding high from the launch of BABE, and to be honest, I was unsure how the 2025 Arkansas BABE Men of the Year would be received.
Let’s face it—there aren’t many platforms celebrating men outside of their fame and wealth. But at this stage in my life (the “F” it phase—Faith, Family, Finances, Freedom, and Friends), I care less about the outcome and have learned to enjoy the journey. I’m secure in my purpose, and part of that is normalizing successful men, celebrating other high-achieving men.
Let’s be real—making new male friendships can be challenging, especially as a husband and father. (Cue the tiny violin? Nah, we’ll leave it there.) But I love bringing people together, and if this BABE helps forge new friendships and business partnerships among high-achieving men, that’s a win.
Interestingly, during my research, I found that high-value men tend to be more active on LinkedIn, while high-value women are more engaged on Facebook. (Take note if you're looking for business partners—or maybe friends from the opposite sex.)
(Click here to learn more about the origin of BABE)
🔥 Shoutout to these Arkansas BABE Men of the Year: 🔥 Anthony Brooks, Cory S. Anderson, Corrie Wilson, Michael Bynum, and SeJames Humphrey. These men understand the assignment and have been active in uplifting the lives of men and their families. I appreciate their support of BABE.
Next up: Michigan BABEs! I lived and worked there for a couple of years as Director of a Women’s Business Center, where I met some of the most inspirational entrepreneurs and business leaders. It was there that I discovered my four I’s—Impact, Inclusion, Innovation, and Inspiration - that drive my professional life. In one year, I helped businesses secure over $4 million in capital and accepted the WBC of the Year Award for my outstanding leadership.
So, without further or due here are Michigan’s 2025 BABE Men and Women of the Year!
Aileen Bovan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Senior VP, DEI Alecia M. Gabriel, The Lab Drawer’s Co-Founder/Co-CEO Andrea Wallace, OPNR’s CEO April Ruiz, Candy APEL’s Owner Ashley M. Williams, RIZZARR CEO/Founder Ashley Ward, W Talent Solutions’ CEO/Founder Brandee Cooke-Brown, 100K Ideas’ Executive Director Brandi Huyser, Amway’s VP of Integrated Health and Wellbeing Platforms Briana Sallis, Mid-west Family Southwest Michigan’s Director of Community Engagement and Project Management Carla Walker-Miller, Walker-Miller Energy Services’ Founder/CEO Carrie Wilson, Freedom Construction’s CEO/Owner Charmaine Brown, Connexions Consulting’s President/Founder Consuelo Shank, PNC Bank VP, Client & Community Relations Director Diana Dowd, Gramenos Law Group’s CEO Hannah Heebner, Embodied Wellness’ Psychotherapist Janai Johnson, Makeup by Janai’s Owner Jennifer Goforth, General Motors’ Executive Director of North America Customer Care & Aftersales Jennifer Wangler, The Right Place’s VP of the Technology Sector Kari Bliss, PADNOS Principal Sustainability Kavy Lenon, Meijer’s Supplier Relationship Management and Outreach | Keli Christopher, STEM Greenhouse’s CEO/Founder Kelli A. Smith, UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s President/CEO Kelli Williams, Actually Clean’s CEO Kim Bode, 8THIRTYFOUR’s Principal Laurie McLachlan, Digital Onboarding’s Chief Marketing Officer Lindsay Lane, Lane Law Firm’s Managing Attorney Lindsay LeValley, Curi RMB Capital’s VP, Client Service Manager Lynzee Krohne, Leo + Laine’s Founder Marquicia Pierce-Henderson, Ruby Leaf Media’s Founder Millie Chu, Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab’s CEO Natalia Kovicak, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids’ President Natalie King, Clean Energy Partners’ Founder/CEO Paola R. Mendivil, El Granjero Mexican Grill’s Vice-President of Catering Rebekah Bakker, A: LAB’s Co-Founder/Managing Partner Sakija Wilkinson, Journey to Heal’s Program Director Shalece L. Daniels, Detroit Real Estate Advisors’ Chief Visionary Shannon Cohen, Shannon Cohen, Inc’s Principal Sommer Jabbar-Pearson, Grand Rapids Chamber’s Director of Inclusion and Belonging Stacy Paul, Array Engineers’ CEO Sydney Bonham, Northpointe Bank AVP, Investor Accounting Tarolyn Buckles, Onyx Construction’s President/CEO Vanessa Lane, BetterPlay Studios’ CEO/Co-Founder |
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: FREE Business Consultations for BABEs of the Year
After helping for-profit and non-profit businesses secure over $15 million in funding, I started 4i Solutions (4iS). I’m giving complimentary 30-minute business sessions. I’m driven by my four Is - impact, inclusion, innovation, and inspiration - and want to use my business to help companies that are aligned with those values. Click here to book a session.
My Perfect Little Imperfections
In the last issue of BABE the Blog I had no errors. Congratulations to me on being perfectly imperfect.