WomanUp & Celebrate! Grand Rapids - Michigan Women Forward

Date: April 21, 2021

Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

ABOUT THE HONOREES:

Tasha Blackmon: Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tasha Blackmon is a dynamic, collaborative leader, mentor and coach who brings more than 20 years of business operations experience to her role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Cherry Health provides integrated health care services to 70,000 patients in Barry, Eaton, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Ottawa and Wayne counties. During her 15 years with Cherry Health, Blackmon has championed health justice through aggressively disrupting healthcare disparities. Her experience comes from an operational perspective, having established high standards of care and developed integrated healthcare systems that treat an individual’s health needs holistically, rather than symptomatically. She has led numerous large-scale expansion and development projects and held six positions within Cherry Health before becoming CEO in 2018. As an accomplished and mission-minded leader, it is imperative to Tasha that our community is healthier, one patient at a time.

Sue Jandernoa: Following 30 years of teaching in East Grand Rapids and Catholic Schools, Sue Jandernoa continues to be a committed volunteer and gives her time and talent to help organizations throughout the West Michigan community and the State of Michigan.  Because her heart and career have been with children, Sue has dedicated much of her time promoting their health, education, and well-being throughout the Grand Rapids community. She is on the Board of Directors at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, First Steps of Kent County, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, Broadway Grand Rapids and serves as a trustee at Grand Valley State University. Sue has been married to Mike for 48 years.  They are very proud of their three talented sons and fantastic spouses who have given them eight beautiful grandchildren.

Kelly Springer: Kelly Springer serves as Metal Flow Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer. She has served in this role since 2017. Metal Flow Corporation is a manufacturer of technically sophisticated custom metal components primarily to the global automotive industry. Her role oversees all operations at both their Holland, Michigan and Wuxi, China facilities. Kelly joined Metal Flow in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer after spending 22 years in public accounting serving manufacturing clients. Kelly has made significant contributions to the community through her involvement in a variety of organizations including her current roles as a member of the Michigan West Coast Chamber Board of Directors, as a member of the Michigan Women Forward Advisory Council, and as the Executive Champion for Inforum’s Manufacturing NEXT group. She was recognized in 2017 as the recipient of the Lakeshore Athena Leadership Award.Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University where she remains active in alumni activities supporting the Eli Broad College of Business.