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.