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As uncommon as it may be to see a woman practice law in the white-collar criminal defense realm, what’s more uncommon might be finding a law firm that characterizes itself as compassionate and warm.

Jessica Harrison is the new executive director at Urban Roots, a farm and education center in Grand Rapids.

As a K-12 art educator turned small business owner of The Color Forest, Elizabeth Usadel makes handmade polymer clay earrings, silicone-beaded, baby-friendly statement necklaces, and hand-stamped mantra bracelets.

With a background in childcare and preschool teaching and a passion for educating young children, Kelly Russell founded Milestones Child Development Center in 2005. Since then, Milestones has grown into an institution that now serves more than 1,000 families at five program locations across West Michigan.

Courtney Quist is an attorney who has been in practice for nearly 25 years in the areas of family law, divorce, custody, and post judgment procedures.

Laina Mills, chief investment officer, leads the development, execution, and oversight of Legacy Trust’s investment philosophy and asset management strategies, including asset allocation guidelines, tactical positioning, portfolio construction, and investment policy design.

Having spent more than 25 years in a male-dominated industry and earning her reputation as a knowledgeable professional with insight and experience, Anne Ficeli, president of PURE Real Estate Management, says she understands the struggles many women face in the real estate industry.

Mercy Health is a non-profit health care system serving Grand Rapids, Muskegon, the Lakeshore, and the surrounding communities in West Michigan.

Directly after graduation from college in 2011, Kendra Pfaff, who grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, opened a cash-for-gold store.

Leading an award-winning human resources team that supports 27,545 colleagues across a statewide health system, from home, during a global pandemic is no easy feat; but Ane McNeil, Chief Human Resources Officer for Mercy Health (and Trinity Health Michigan, Georgia and Florida), does so with grace by striving for balance.

Since 1972, Muskegon Surgical Associates has provided innovative, comprehensive, primary surgical care in Muskegon and along the lakeshore.

In the last 23 years, Monica Mitidieri has taken Monica’s Gourmet Cookies from a personal, creative outlet to a business that has boomed far beyond her expectations.

Smart, strategic, and service minded are just some of the characteristics embodied by Foster Swift.

When Coleen King started her career in marketing, she knew two things: she wanted to be the best, and she was willing to put in the time, effort and energy it took to get there.

For Janet Romanowski, working in the real estate industry is less about the properties she buys and sells and more about the people she helps along the way.

Roseanna P. Noordhoek, DDS, and Emily J. Van Heukelom, DDS, co-owners of The Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, may have been discouraged early on to pursue their specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery because of their gender, but that didn’t stop them from following their dreams.

BDO’s West Michigan practice is one of more than 60 across the United States and has been established in the local communities for more than 100 years.

As part owner of Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, which she co-runs with her father, Joel T. Carroll DDS, Jocelyn R. Davis, DDS, cares for her patients’ needs by combining compassion with the best dental care available and the latest dental technology.

As president, CFO, and COO of Grand River Bank, Liz Bracken has worn many hats since the bank’s opening in April 2009.

Bethanie Pollock and Amanda Gondhi co-founded Balans Consulting LLC to provide tax, accounting, and consulting services to closely held businesses and individuals.