Rachael Brower currently serves as the Strategic Programs Manager for Environmental Services Department with the City of Grand Rapids.  She has a Bachelor of Business of Administration Management from Colorado Technical University and was a recipient of the 2020 Billings 40 Under Forty Award.  Her background includes administration, management, and entrepreneurship. Her experience working in both federal government and municipal positions give her a unique perspective to public service, coupled with almost a decade of experience as a small business owner and employer.  

Laurie Evans has seventeen years’ experience in Human Resources,  Workforce Development and Corporate Training in both private and public sectors. Passionate about candidate job fit and dedicated to driving hiring results through equity in recruitment with a specialty in placement during employee-driven markets. Recruitment Philosophy: The keys to workplace retention are: Proper candidate placement, positive workplace culture as well as opportunities and support for staff growth and development.

Deann Crosby serves as the Senior Talent Attraction and Recruiting Manager at Haworth, where she leads the hiring strategy and recruitment operations across North America. She oversees a team responsible for filling approximately 1,000 positions each year and strengthening community partnerships to build a sustainable, high‑quality talent pipeline. Deann joined Haworth in 2022 after spending more than two decades in Human Resources within educational institutions. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing student employees—work that continues to influence her leadership approach today. 

Spencer Streeter is a Manager, Talent Acquisition for Northern Bio. He has been for more than twenty years in the Life Sciences Industry,. He started as a technician in the lab, transitioned into Management (two Path labs for 8 years), and then moved over to Recruiting and HR.  

Cole Sweda is the Executive Director of the DataWise Foundation and oversees the organization’s strategic direction, operations, and long-term sustainability. He brings expertise in social research and program evaluation, with a focus on making data and research tools more accessible and actionable for nonprofits, students, and community organizations. In addition to his role at DataWise, Cole serves on the boards of the Grand Rapids Food Co-Op and Catherine’s Health Center and participates on an advisory committee with the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. He is deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate students and creating opportunities for them to apply their learning in ways that benefit local communities.