She Leads Michigan Honors Christian Women in Leadership at the 6th Annual Afternoon Tea

 Laura Arcuri from West Olive, MI - involved in many community outreaches including  "Jesus in the streets"  and helping the Indigenous people to heal bringing “Naomi” homes, which are emergency shelters for native children, to be established on tribal lands. 

Kelli Coon from Cadillac has led homeless outreach projects, fundraisers for Love Inc and is an author.

Alice Guillory from Holland, MI  is both a CPS investigator and Foster Care Specialist working for Crisis Aid International.

Lisha Kilgus from Grosse Point Park has been leading grassroots initiatives across the state of Michigan since 2020 focusing on faith and education.

Maranda Ish from Reed City is a DV advocate at Wise shelter in Big Rapids and is a part of Reach The Forgotten Ministries in Reed City.

Laura Siadak  She is a caregiver for those in need.

Chely Zuniga from Holland, MI

is an evangelist, was a singer in a Christian band for over 8 years and leading worship for 15. For 13 years she was involved in prison ministry at the Muskegon Correctional Facility. She is Co-Chair for April Faith Month, in the committee for the National Day of Prayer and in the Leadership committee at City Hill Church in Holland Michigan.

Cindi Raymond from Onsted is A 5-time published author, national speaker, and master’s prepared functional medicine RN, focusing on bringing simplicity to complex health, relational, and community issues. She is the founder of On Purpose Healthcare Consulting and co-founder/CEO of Designed to Be Wholly, a faith-based 501(c)3 ministry, that aspires to optimize change by collaborating toward faith-based solutions for individuals, organizations, and communities.

Lhauren Singleton from Lansing serves as the Executive Director of Ready Set ASPIRE, an online academy that provides holistic relationship education to teens, parents, and individuals. In 2023, she was recognized as an Outstanding Field Instructor for the Michigan State University College of Social Work. Additionally, she serves as a Ministry Leadership Consultant, helping Christian leaders of parachurch ministries and small businesses lead mission-centered organizations. Committed to promoting positive youth development, Lhauren serves as the President of MI SRA Council, advocating for sexual risk avoidance among educators, parents, students, and policymakers and serves on the board of Building Child and Family Initiatives, closing gaps for underserved populations through education and service.

Gloria Richards from Williamston was raised on a farm in northern Michigan. She was in nursing for fifteen years, and alternative medicine throughout her life. She owned a B&B Health Center that she sold in 1995.

Angela Hirdes from Wyoming, MI  is an ordained minister who volunteers in the healing rooms at Res Life Church in Grandville, Michigan. Called by God to nursing she has primarily taken lesser paying jobs that were mission based. The populations she has cared for include: abused and neglected children, sex- trafficked girls, those addicted to opioids, in the only pediatric office in the city of Grand Rapids on the bus line. She is now caring for and supporting hospice patients and their families.

Dr. Melissa Halvorson Smith MD from Westphalia has been a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist serving thousands of patients over close to 30 years.  She has been a volunteer medical director of four pregnancy resource centers in the Mid-Michigan area and active in the pro-life community, personally and legally.  

Deborah Dixson from Mt. Clemens has been nursing for over 50 years working in Public Health Nursing, Faith Community Nursing, and teaching Nursing at Baker College. She’s had a wide variety of experience working in schools and educating young women about pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.

Kristi Key from Stevensville is a home educator whose greatest honor has been teaching her three sons. She was instrumental in the growth of classical home education in SW Michigan. Understanding that Kingdom work begins with prayer, she has founded multiple prayer groups impacting her communities.

 Pastor Brigitte Brown is the Co-Founder and Senior Pastor at Rivers of Life Church in Holt, where she has led a thriving, growing, and diverse congregation for over 20 years.  Throughout the years Pastor Brigitte has earned several awards for her commitment and service to her community.  She has worked in ministry nearly 40 years, working in nearly every position of leadership.  Pastor Brigitte has coordinated healing services across the nation.

Marie Diggs a licensed and ordained minister from West Bloomfield, started Marie Diggs Ministries as a mandate from God to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.   She is the author of three books.

Kathy Dubois is a worship leader from Lake City.  Kathy publicly speaks about the sanctity of life and has led interfaith prayer events to promote unity across denominations.

Deb Kirgis of Grandville, MI was a chemist for 22 years before becoming the Adult Education Pastor and Dean of Leaders for Christ Training Center at Resurrection Life Church. She is a mentor, speaker and certified Think Differently Life Coach.

Early in her 26 year tenure, Deb developed business operations and established a prayer ministry center for the Walking by Faith television ministry. She also led the Freedom Ministry. Beyond the church, she also served as president of Grand Rapids Aglow.

Rev. Dawn Damon from Rockford is a best-selling and award-winning Author, Speaker, Podcaster, and Life Coach.  Her most recently released book is titled “The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife.”  Dawn is the founder and CEO of the BraveHearted Woman, which seeks to cultivate a vision with women dreamers, connect them with their inner courage, and equip them to carry out their purpose.  In Dawn’s weekly podcast, she is known as “The BraveHeart Mentor.”  Dawn is a regular contributor to Salem Radio’s Life!Line.  She is known for her gift of storytelling and humor frequently keynotes conferences.

Rev. Melissa Lettinga of Holland is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God.  She has worked as a Missionary evangelist in 64 countries and in all 50 states.  Missy is an Associate Broker with Greenridge Realty and serves as Vice President of the Dream Team Foundation.

Lori Lezman from Holland has served on the intercessory teams at 2 churches for over the last 25 years.  Lori volunteers at the Family Life Center of West Michigan.  Lori is as part of the Radiance Flagging and Dance team at Shekinah Revival Ministries and is a Reserve Police Officer.

Pastor Kristeen Mann from Traverse City is an author, evangelist/pastor who with her husband, started nineteen churches, pastoring several, with a healing emphasis. They lead "The Surge Church", a congregation of wonderful people, ministers and ministry leaders of northern Michigan and head up a discipling organization assisting ministers through Ministry Leadership Coaching.

Yusmary Fabregas demonstrated her commitment Christ in her community during the Flint water crisis when her family held a water drive in Wyoming, MI and were able to donate over two thousand bottles of water. They also support community events held to celebrate the children from her Hispanic community.

Blanca Delgado from Wyoming, MI is a servant of God committed to His people and serving her community with excellence.

Damaris Soria from Wyoming, MI is the spiritual mother of Iglesia Una Casa De Hijos the Hispanic division of Reslife Church. She and her husband, Pastor Danny Soria arrived from Puerto Rico  6 years ago and 3 years ago began to pastor the church; God has allowed them to witness the growth of their church family from 50 to 300 people.

 State Representative Rachelle Smit from Shelbyville has been actively involved in politics since 2015.

She serves the 43rd District. 

She and her husband Dave have 3 adopted boys and also fostered several other children. The experience and challenges that accompany adopting and fostering children of diverse nationalities has equipped her with compassion and has helped to shape her into the person she is today.

Kelli Case from Dowling, MI is a Barry County patriot. She is running for Treasurer of Baltimore Township.

Marilyn Wagner from Jackson, MI is the President of Salt & Light Global, a Christian ministry helping the church be Salt & Light in the culture.  Previous to this position, she enjoyed being on staff at a church leading their Senior Adult Ministry. For over 20 years, she has taught Precepts Bible Study to women and is active in outreach on the campus of Spring Arbor University. She’s a passionate champion for underprivileged youth and ministry to senior citizens. She spent some time living in England, ministering alongside her husband protecting religious liberty and defending the most vulnerable.

Katie Waskiewicz from East Lansing, is an attorney for a national Catholic healthcare system. In 2005 as a junior at Michigan State University she founded Protect Life Michigan, a prolife organization equipping young people to change hearts and minds about abortion.  She served as Chair of the Board until 2022. She went on to attend Ave Maria School of Law and published a law review note on abortion. After graduation, she worked in political law at Dykema and in licensing and regulation at the Michigan Attorney General’s office.

Alexis Tracy  from Dearborn is a second-year political science student at Madonna University. In the past year, she competed at the Miss Michigan Teen USA 2023 pageant competition and made it to the semi-finals, joined the student senate as an executive official where she serves as the secretary, and most importantly, brought Delight Ministries to Madonna University serving as team director. Delight Ministries is an all-women Christian community that fosters vulnerability and transforms lives through Bible Study.

Robyn Wilson Peake from Paw Paw has been a

three-time top level network marketer. She is an author, speaker and trainer involved in ministry and a  licensed health insurance salesperson with USHEALTH Advisors in 32 states.

In 2017- 2022 she was appointed by Governor Snyder as a State Board of Chiropractic public member and in 2019 State Board of Chiropractic Disciplinary Subcommittee Chair

She is the State President of the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan.

Lorraine Root of Paw Paw was a stay at home mom until the 1990's when she taught parenting skills to at-risk families for MSU Extension. She has been a member for many years of the Paw Paw Service League having served in most positions on the Board.  She is President of the Van Buren County Republican Women, Corresponding Secretary on the Executive Committee of the Republican Women's Federation of Michigan, and Recording Secretary and Board Member of Founders Freedom Forum.

Dr. Dawn Asper from Carleton has been a Chiropractic Physician since 1981. and serves on the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, District 3 (2017-Present)

She’s been a Bible Study Fellowship Int'l  Children's & Group 

Leader.  Board Appointments include the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority, Monroe County Retiree Health Care Board and she is the President of the Republican Women's Club Monroe Co.

 Pam Alphenaar is a Christian graphic designer and artist from Niles.  She specializes in watercolor painting, creating beautiful nature inspired original works from her woman-owned business Ponderfull. 

Olivia Francese is a prophetic artist and creator of “Eyes of Fire Productions.”  She lives in Adrian.  Olivia interned for NASA at the NASA Glenn Research Center as a 3D Modeler. She attended Bowling Green State University on Scholarship and received the prestigious was “Dominick and Elizabeth Labino Art & Technology Award.”  Olivia created a TikTok called “Livy Living Life” where she shares the Christian faith with over 20,000 followers.  During the day, she works as a 3D modeler at StellantisPam Alphenaar  is a watercolor artist from Niles, Michigan. She creates nature and rural inspired original paintings, commission paintings, and giclee prints from her studio and art business Ponderfull.

Brigitte Donoho is an award-winning Songwriter, Recording Artist, Wife, Mom and Worship Leader from Ann Arbor.  Brigitte has been featured on numerous Total Christian Television shows including the Emmy award winning I’m Just Sayin’.  She has released multiple radio singles, which made both the top ten list for Christian and Adult Contemporary music.  For the last ten years, she has been performing at youth rallies, worship events, and retreats alongside some of the biggest names in Christian music. 

Lauren Thompson Phillips from East Lansing is a seasoned communicator serving as the Public Information Officer for the Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. Prior to this appointment she distinguished herself with a remarkable award winning 20-year career in television journalism with her outstanding coverage of political events and breaking news stories.Lauren is also known for her work as a board member on The House of Promise, a 5013c organization that provides survivors of sex abuse and sex trafficking a place to heal.

Wendy Vrieze has led school choirs and bands for over 21 years. She is the Worship Director at Lake City Christian Reformed Church and serves at the Director of the Children's Ministry.  Wendy enjoys planning and hosting a wide variety of events, including Summer Fun for Kids.  Wendy has a gift for uniting communities to worship Jesus through multi-church prayer and worship. 

 Pastor Marie O’Leary - taught school for 33 years, including Central Office duties as an assistant administrator for special needs children and substituted as a principal. She also started a National Junior Honor Society for 8th -10th graders  receiving national recognition. Marie also went to Washington, DC, for 12 years with a crew of 250 people setting up 7 day adventures. After retiring,  Marie and her husband Joe, founded and pastor Hilltop Tabernacle, in Benzonia, Michigan.

After graduating from Indiana State University.

Clovilla Joy Morgan of Southfield, taught English and Spanish for 31 years in the Detroit Public Schools. In ministry she has served in her church as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and President of the Drama Guild. She is the VP of Financial Development for SE Michigan Area Team of Aglow International and is a monthly Intercessor for Capitol Prayer in Lansing, Michigan with Aglow International.

Renee Papelian from Mt. Pleasant has a long history in the field of education.  After spending 23 years in K-12 public education, Renee transitioned to Central Michigan University as the Director of Pre-Student teaching within the College of Education and Human Services.  After extensive field work experience, she was appointed as the Director of Professional Education & Assistant to the Dean in the College of Education at Central Michigan University. She retired with Emeriti status.  

For 25 years she was also the leader of an 8 member women’s contemporary Christian band, ‘Frontline’ that traveled throughout the Midwest.  

Renee is leading the charge for a new Christian school in the mid-Michigan area. Renee is dedicated to foster the development of an outstanding Biblical worldview educational community in the central Michigan area.

Bree Moeggenberg from Mt. Pleasant is a business owner of an early childhood daycare group facility. She believes that children need to be raised up with integrity, morals, boundaries, and God.

Bree speaks to State and local school boards voicing concern about the reading of inappropriate books as well as protecting the rights of girls’ in sports.

 Maria Larsen of Holland MI  is a multilingual professional with a diverse background. With five years in advertising across Europe and eight years as Marketing Director for Positive Options she specializes in developing comprehensive marketing plans and presences. Through these efforts, she helps people in West Michigan understand what Positive Options does and the range of choices available when facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Paula Jacobson-Mol from Grand Rapids is the Executive Director of Deeper Still West Michigan.  After being transformed and forever changed by Jesus while going through her own Deeper Still retreat in 2012, God put it on her heart to start a Michigan chapter, to bring healing and lasting freedom to men and women with abortion wounded hearts in the state of Michigan.

Tammie Nemeth from Gaylord serves as Executive Director for New Life Pregnancy Resource Center and the Sex Education Advisory Board for Gaylord Schools. She is working on her certification for the W2W Abstinence Program with her team to offer curriculum to youth groups and schools. She serves as Big Ticket Festival Volunteer Coordinator over roughly 300 volunteers and as president of Aglow Lighthouse where she serves with her husband.

Mary Grace Braatz of Charlevoix is dynamic public speaker on a variety of topics including faith, adoption, finding your identity in Christ, healing from trauma, pro-life issues and homeschooling . She serves on the board of Protect Life Michigan.  Before becoming a homeschool mom, Mary Grace graduated from MSU with a B.S. in Communications and worked in marketing for Fortune 500 company Time Inc. and Sports Illustrated.

After serving on the Board of Directors of New Life Pregnancy Resource Center Tracy Dexter of Gaylord became Office and Donor Relations Manager. Prior to joining New Life, she served her community by volunteering with local non-profits including Gaylord Community Productions where she served on the Board of Directors and as Executive Producer.

Sherry Hoppen of Hudsonville is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and recovering alcoholic. She founded She Surrenders, a ministry to help women confront and surrender the secrets they shamefully hold close, the Surrenders Podcast, and a private recovery group Joyful Surrender. In the  Fall of 2024 she is planning to open Selah House Recovery, a 40-day faith-based rehabilitation program for women.

 Ericka Brummer from South Lyon is an entrepreneur and for the past fifteen years, has been coaching woman to move towards their dreams with her unique coaching style!

Heather Dow - is a very talented Graphics expert she has used her gift to get the word out on important legislation that aligns with God’s plan.

Roxanne Lynn DuFort - from Germfask, MI  joined the USAF after graduating high school early and started a family while stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  After several years she made her way back home to Michigan where she opened her own business. 29 years later she is now the proud owner of 3 local businesses.

Sally Gruppen from Zeeland, MI is a loyal and dedicated long term employee of Herman Miller Furnishings.  She became the first woman to serve on the Zeeland City Council founded in1847, and continues to serve the City of Zeeland as Mayor Pro -Tem! She has also served as Chairman of the Tulip Time Board of Directors, the Zeeland Community Hospital Board of Directors and for the past 5 years, Chairman of the MACC Community Enhancement Program. She recently was presented the Paul Harris Fellow Designation from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Laura McGaffney -  is an Entrepreneur.  Her “Custom Balls LLC”, is officially Licensed with Blue Angels, US Air Force, Space Force and she is the Inventor of "The Ball Gadget" Patent Pending.

She owns “My Spanish Flan Decadent Desserts”

and works in her family aviation business “Digital Airware."

In 2024 she was crowned Mrs. Brighton America,  2024 was a Mrs. Michigan America Candidate and a 2024 Candidate for Regent of The University of Michigan.

Rebecca Doyle from Holland, MI is a worshipper who has worked in the marketplace for 40+ years.  Her background is as an Administrator and Office Manager spending 15 years in the trucking industry before moving into Insurance and becoming a certified HR professional specializing in Payroll and Benefit administration.  

Abigail Preston from Caledonia, Mi has been a business owner since 2005 owning Plato’s Closet and Style Encore in Kentwood and Granville, MI.  She is the Mom of 3 beautiful children and active in her church and homeschool community.