POWERFUL WOMEN: LET’S TALK

Melissa Werkman is the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County, where she is part of a team committed to seeking justice for and reducing the traumatic impact of sexual abuse for child victims. She is also a partner in Green Square Consulting. She also is a mountain biking coach and especially loves helping people new to the sport feel more comfortable and safe on the trail so they can have even more fun.

Community activist, entrepreneur, Business woman, Introducing Tami VandenBerg. Tami co-owns and co-founded The Meanwhile and The Pyramid Scheme - two businesses that have made substantial impacts in the community. She also co-founded the Eastown Bizarre Bazaar, LadyfestGR and the West Michigan Cannabis Guild. She has spent substantial time and energy working to end homelessness in our community and ran Well House for several years. In addition, she has helped lead the marijuana policy movement in West Michigan through decriminalization, medical marijuana access and legalization in 2018. And one day maybe she'll run for President! We'll ask why.

Deborah Clanton is the retired District Court Magistrate and Court Administrator from the 62B District Court in Kentwood, MI. Although retired, Deborah continues to be very busy, working for change in the community. A very active member of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, she tirelessly works for students and education. One of her passions is getting people out to vote.... even during the pandemic. Deborah Clanton is this week's Powerful Woman.

Michelle LaJoye-Young has served Kent County for over 30 years. Today, she is the Sheriff. She serves on many boards at the local, state, and federal level and has been appointed to boards by 3 different Governors. What is her role as Sheriff and what does she do in her free time? We find out on this episode of Powerful Women: Let’s Talk.

She founded La Fuente Consulting with a focused mission of bridging cultures, simplifying workplace communication, and more. Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz is a thought leader, with hands-on practical experience in the field of organizational development, in particular diversity, inclusion and cultural intelligence. She is involved in her community and has won awards for her work. She’s also recently started bird watching. Meet Powerful Woman Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz.

A 30-plus year enthusiastic, creative, and passionate educator, mentor and advisor who believes that students of all ages, economic, social and ethnic backgrounds can learn and thrive in a learning environment that is stimulating, comforting and appropriate to their unique talents and abilities. "That" is the perfect description for GVSU's Cassonya Carter. Her passion for helping others and mentoring students, along with the gift of song, makes her this week's Powerful Woman: Let's Talk!

She's board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of True Women's Health, and she has driven that race car. Dr. Diana Bitner is today’s Powerful Woman.

Vanessa Greene is the new CEO of GRAAHI and is expanding on the mission as a leader for health equity in West Michigan. She’s helping to identify and eliminate barriers to health for blacks, latinx and all people of color. Prior to this new position, Green held leadership positions focused on fostering diversity and inclusion at Hope College for the last 16 years. Vanessa Greene is this week’s Powerful Woman.

Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at age 12, Wife, Mother, and Nana Lori Hastings is the Founder of Lori's Voice, a non-profit that helps assist children with medical items that insurance doesn't cover. Welcome Lori to Powerful Women: Let's Talk. Powerful Women: Let’s Talk is created by WGVU NPR and made possible by WGVU NPR sustaining monthly donors. Become a sustaining monthly donor now at wgvu.org/donate to support WGVU NPR’s local programs, including Powerful Women: Let’s Talk.

This is Jo Ellyn Clarey: Co-President/Director of The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council. A literary scholar by profession, Jo Ellyn Clarey has redirected her path into the world of local women’s history in Grand Rapids. For the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, she continues advancing long term projects highlighting the roles of local women in the Michigan Suffrage movement; overseeing a complete electoral history of the city’s women and so much more. She’s this week’s