Shorouq is the Director for the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) at Grand Valley State University. She joined Grand Valley State University in 2001, and has been working with CEI for the past 15 years in different roles and capacities. In her current role, she is responsible for providing leadership, vision, strategic direction, tactical execution and operational oversight of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation with a focus on talent development, expanding and growing entrepreneurship education, and innovative curriculum for the university and the community at large. She provides the necessary leadership and strategic direction for the center’s management, talent development, program development, curriculum development, fundraising, grant solicitation, public relations and community outreach. 

Shorouq has over 15 years of experience in launching, designing and coordinating unique and transformational entrepreneurial education programs in West Michigan such as the Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TESA), the MWest Challenge, JumpStart, SproutLab, MVE-Lab, the 77IdeaLab, and LendGr. These programs have been instrumental in creating an entrepreneurial pipeline as well as fostering new venture creation in the region.  Under her leadership, CEI was awarded the Entrepreneurial Spotlight Challenge in 2017 by the (AACSB) Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business for creating and incubating cutting-edge business innovations and fostering entrepreneurship in the next generation of entrepreneurs. In 2015, she was recognized with the Women’s Community Impact Award by the Grand Valley State University Women’s Commission. She was also recognized with the Practitioner of the Year Award for Women and Minority Entrepreneurship by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship in recognition for her efforts in promoting women entrepreneurs and serving underserved communities through entrepreneurial training and education. Most recently, Almallah was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan in 2020 by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

Shorouq is very active in the entrepreneurial and business community both on a local and national levels. She serves on a number of advisory boards and steering committees including the West Michigan Colleges and Universities Group (WMCUG), Michigan Women Forward, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)-Minority & Women Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group, and the West Michigan Association for Women In Science (AWIS). Shorouq is fluent in both Arabic and English. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in English and Linguistics, with a minor in Middle East Studies, and a Masters of Information Science from Indiana University. She completed her Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University in June of 2020.

Valerie is the Office Coordinator for the Seidman College of Business Outreach Centers. While supporting the directors for the Richard M. Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the Family-Owned Business Institute, and the Koeze Ethics Business Initiative, she provides support to the daily operations of CEI, including working closely with student employees, scheduling, event planning, and handling financial and budget-related matters.

She has been employed with GVSU for 10+ years. Formerly, Valerie was the Student Life Assistant in the Office of Student Life where she assisted the director, provided support to the daily operations of the OSL, which included working closely with student organizations on their events, supervising student employees, supporting large student events, and handling financial and budget transactions. Prior to the OSL, she served as the Officer Coordinator in the Seidman College of Business Dean’s Office where her work included event planning, graphic design, social media management, website development, and a variety of other tasks.

Valerie received her bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations with a business minor in 2008 followed by a master’s degree in communications in 2015 from GVSU. In her spare time, Valerie loves reading, writing reviews, and managing social media outlets for her book-related blog. She also enjoys gardening, crafting, baking, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three sons.

Rachel Berkal is a Michigan native, University of Michigan alumna, and experienced business leader who has built her career at the intersection of corporate America and entrepreneurship. She began her professional journey at retail giants Target and Meijer, where she gained expertise in operations, strategy, and leadership.

Driven by a passion for innovation and problem-solving, Rachel left the corporate world to launch Vetr Health, where she now serves as Chief Operating Officer. Vetr Health is a tech-enabled, in-home veterinary care company that combines clinical services, diagnostics, and proprietary software to improve access and affordability for pet parents while creating sustainable careers for veterinary professionals.

Rachel also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Michigan State University Research Foundation, where she mentors emerging founders and supports the growth of Michigan’s startup ecosystem. She is excited to bring that experience to Grand Valley and dive in with the Lakers to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Outside of work, Rachel is a cycling instructor in Grand Rapids and a proud dog mom to Penny Lane and Russell.

Isabella Grunwaldt is a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) student at GVSU. She graduated with her undergrad degree in Political Science and Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration with a minor in Spanish in the Spring of 2025.

She has been involved in many clubs and organizations on campus, including acting as a Democracy Fellow with Campus Vote Project and GVSU Votes!, becoming a recent member of the Cook Leadership Academy (CLA) alumni, and a current e-board member of the club The Olive Tree. She is also a new e-board member for the ICMA. She enjoys taking every opportunity she possibly can, which means she is almost always trying to take her friends to random campus events and service projects. Isa has previously had internships in the District Office of Hillary Scholten in downtown Grand Rapids, and for Disability Advocates of Kent County. She has enjoyed both the public and nonprofit workplace experiences, and is excited to see where she ends up after graduation with her Masters.

Please tell her your book recommendations!

Amy Hilton is dedicated to supporting startups and entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and bringing innovative ideas to life. She brings expertise in strategic management, process improvement, facilitation, and entrepreneurship, with proven experience guiding new ventures and fostering innovation.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and multiple professional certifications, including Product Management, SAFe Agile, Employee Relations, Six Sigma, and Facilitation. With a strategic yet hands-on approach, Amy excels at leading entrepreneurship initiatives, driving process improvements, and collaborating with teams to solve challenges and create environments where innovation can thrive.

Beyond her professional work, Amy is an avid traveler, active community member, lifelong learner, and advocate for animal rescue.

Michael Hyacinthe is an 8-year United States Navy Veteran who served as a U.S. Navy Seabee combat warfare specialist. His military service took him around the world to Iceland, Guam, Europe and the Middle East. Michael is a serial entrepreneur focusing on social enterprises. He is the co-founder of Has Heart an organization that provides creative outlets for veterans and. He is also the CEO and founder of Wimage, a children’s media company that produces educational and entertainment content to help kids learn  

Michael is the Executive producer of a children’s television show called Wimee’s Words. Wimee’s Words is currently seen on PBS stations in Michigan and soon to be launching in New York City and LA PBS stations. 

Michael truly believes that creativity is a very powerful tool that can help Veterans heal and children learn. His entrepreneurial Journey has gained him national recognition as a top 30 under 30 entrepreneur by INC magazine and most recently he was recognized as a Lakeshore innovator of the year honoree. He is originally from the Bronx New York but now resides in Grand Rapids with his family. Michael is also a proud GVSU graduate.

Ken serves as the manager for the Momentum by Seidman(formerly known as LendGR) program. Ken is an immigrant from Peru and a long time Southside resident. They attended the University of Michigan where they got their first taste of an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ken serves as the Director of Public Agency at the West Michigan Center for Art and Technology (WMCAT). Previously, Ken has worked for the government, startups, and design agencies. They enjoy big data sets, process improvement, and all things art & design. 

In their free time, you can catch Ken on the road with their bike chasing after Strava KOM’s, taking loops on the Rapid busses, or catching a film at Studio Park. Ken’s greatest claim to fame is when, in the early 2010's, they pitched an idea to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian while in an Ann Arbor bar.

Tim Syfert teaches entrepreneurship and small business management, international business, and organizational strategy at Grand Valley State University to both undergraduate and graduate students. Tim has over 25 years business experience in key strategic roles at Timex Watch Company, Haworth, Royal Consumer Business Products, Sherwin Williams, Roadway Express Trucking Company, and Johnson Controls. His work at these companies resulted in several domestic and international patents for many products that are currently in production around the world. As a designer and business consultant, Tim has helped inventors and start-up companies develop new products, expand product portfolios, and launch new business ventures. He is currently developing his own new venture blending alcohols for use in sangria. Tim has a bachelors degree in business from Oklahoma State University, a masters in business administration in strategic planning from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes Lally School of Management and Technology, and a doctorate in organization development from Capella University.

Matt Larson has an extensive background in banking, business consulting, project management, and higher education. Previously, Matt owned bookkeeping/payroll, vending, technology consulting, and crowdfunding businesses.  As a consultant, he has worked with multiple start-ups and businesses while coordinating a local inventor’s network and volunteers his time with Start-Up Weekends. Matt's entrepreneurship journey continues with his development of an open source mobile platform. In addition, Matt is Co-founder and COO of CampusStarter, a crowdfunding platform for college entrepreneurs. CampusStarter received outside investment and support from eMerge Xcelerate, a start-up accelerator in Grand Rapids, MI and was acquired by Hubbub a London based crowdfunding company in June of 2016. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with degrees in Finance, Master of Arts in Career & Technical Education and a Master of Business Administration.