2026 WomanUp & Celebrate West Michigan

On June 9, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, MWF recognized leaders whose impact is felt across industries, organizations, and communities. Discover the 2026 class of honorees below.

2026 WomanUp & Celebrate West Michigan Honorees

• Winnie Brinks | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree

  Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks is the Senate Majority Leader. She is proud to have earned the historic distinction of being the first woman to hold this position in the […]

  Read more about Winnie Brinks | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree
• Misti Stanton | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree

  First VP, Talent and Culture Officer of Mercantile Bank Misti Stanton is First VP, Talent and Culture Officer at Mercantile Bank, where she leads efforts to build an inclusive, people-centered […]

  Read more about Misti Stanton | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree
• Kim Suarez | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree

  Co-Founder of Business Equity Initiative Fund Kim Suarez enjoyed a long and successful career in health care. The last twenty years of her working life were spent in the Corewell Health integrated […]

  Read more about Kim Suarez | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree
• Rachel Gorman | Women to Watch Honoree

  President & CEO of Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Rachel Gorman serves as President and CEO of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, where she partners closely with community leaders, […]

  Read more about Rachel Gorman | Women to Watch Honoree
• Emily Henao | Women to Watch Honoree

  Vice President of Marketing for Meijer Emily Henao is the Vice President of Marketing at Meijer, a privately-owned and family-operated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, […]

  Read more about Emily Henao | Women to Watch Honoree
• Nancy Quero | Women to Watch Honoree

  CEO & Owner of Guelaguetza Designs Nancy Quero is the founder of Guelaguetza Designs, a business she launched in 2005 to stay connected to her Mexican heritage. What began as […]

  Read more about Nancy Quero | Women to Watch Honoree

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In Kind

Sponsor the next WomanUp & Celebrate

Explore sponsorship opportunities to align your brand with this powerful celebration and demonstrate your commitment to advancing women’s leadership.

To become a sponsor of the next WomanUp & Celebrate West Michigan, contact Laura Town, Executive Director, West Michigan.