Shannon Kolarik is a Workplace Sales Advisor at Custer, the Steelcase Furniture Dealer for West Michigan. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She enjoys learning about the diverse companies that make Grand Rapids unique and creating environments for their employees to thrive. Shannon has been a Rotary Board Member for 4 years and is involved in several committees within Rotary, including Club 77 (co-founder and co-chair), Women of Rotary, Service Above Self, and the Charities Foundation.

Her volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, Kids Food Basket, Village Water Filters, Ronald McDonald House, Hand 2 Hand, Family Promise, and various Women’s Ministries including the Working Moms Group she helps lead. She enjoys reading, golfing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two girls. Her happy place is anywhere there is sunshine and water.

Joel Hondorp was selected as the Grand Rapids City Clerk in April 2018

Prior to being selected as the City Clerk, Mr. Hondorp served as Byron Township Clerk from 2000 – 2018. During his tenure at Byron Township he was selected as the 2010 Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Township Clerk of the year and in 2012 served as President of the MAMC. He also served as a Trustee in Byron Township from 1996-2000. He is a member of Rotary International, the Kent County Clerks Association, life-member of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the Byron Township Fire Department and the VanSingel Fine Arts Foundation. He received his Certified Municipal Clerk status from the IIMC in 2009 and attained the status of Master Municipal Clerk in 2019.

Joel is a graduate of Byron Center High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University. He was a 2003 Fellow in the Michigan Political Leadership Program. Joel spent his college summers working for the City of Grand Rapids in the Water Department and the Waste Water Industrial Pretreatment Program.

After hours, Joel enjoys spending time with his family and attending all their various events. His hobbies include reading, golfing, fantasy football and cooking food outdoors. Joel is married to Brenda Hondorp and father to Emma and Sam.

Mary Jo Baweja, MA, LLP is the Founder and President of Blank Canvas Consulting. As a Clinical and Organizational Psychologist, Mary Jo helps leaders lead more effectively, teams function more effectively, and individuals become their best professional selves to take their career in the direction they want it to go. Mary Jo’s expertise ranges from fundamental leadership development, employee selection and development, behavioral assessment, team building, career coaching and workplace relationships

When not working to help organizations and individuals achieve lasting change, Mary Jo enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children, as well as photography, bike riding and hiking.

Professor Asgerally (Asgi) Fazleabas earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University in Fresno, California and his master’s and PhD degrees in Reproductive Physiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Florida, Gainesville. In 1985, Professor Fazleabas became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Illinois, Chicago and quickly moved through the academic ranks becoming a full professor in 1995. He served as Director of the Center for Women’s Health and Reproduction at the University of Illinois from 2002 to 2009. In 2009, Dr. Fazleabas was recruited to the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University with the deliberate goal of elevating women’s health research at Michigan State University to national prominence and influence. His significant contributions have resulted in the department being recognized as a national leader by several benchmarks, including being ranked in the top 5 of 136 departments in the country with NIH funding for the last 9 years. In addition, he is also listed amongst the top 100 individually funded investigators in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the USA. Dr. Fazleabas’ influence has resulted in the significant advancement of women’s health training and research being conducted at Michigan State University.

Dr. Fazleabas is considered a pioneer in the area of uterine biology, and the clinical translation of this research to human embryo implantation and endometriosis. Dr. Fazleabas has been funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health in the USA since 1986 for his research in reproductive and developmental biology. The work in his laboratory has significant translational relevance related to improved pregnancy outcomes in infertile women as well as understanding the etiology and the pathophysiology associated with the development of endometriosis, a disease that affects over 200 million women worldwide. A significant area of his research emphasis has been to study the early events associated with maternal-fetal interactions during the establishment of pregnancy and the mechanisms by which these interactions are affected in women and non-human primates with endometriosis. The development of the non-human primate model that recapitulates these diseases was a scientific tipping point to advancing scientific knowledge in this area. He has over 250 peer reviewed publications and has authored multiple book chapters and reviews. His expertise is also evidenced by the fact that he has been invited to present over 275 lectures worldwide.

Alexandra Wilson is the Director of Personal Giving for Samaritas and the creator of Drinks and Development. With more than ten years in the fundraising sector, she has lent her expertise to non-profits by sitting on boards, committees, and councils of many organizations including the Women of Habitat Kent, Humane Society of West Michigan, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Alex is the Board Secretary and a member of the Community Engagement Committee where she co-Chairs the Senior Neighbors Holiday Luncheon and the River Clean Up. She is also the Chair of the Service Above Self Awards Dinner and co-Chairs the Golf Affinity Group.
She enjoys golfing, boxing, volunteering, decorating and hosting. Mostly, she loves spending time with her friends and family including her plethora of rescue animals especially her blue heeler, Jax.

Eunice is the Manager, Pricing & Contracts for Steelcase in the Grand Rapids headquarters. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Spanish Literature, and with her master’s degree in business administration in the Spring of 2021. She has been in the Finance industry for over 15 years. Eunice is also an Adjunct Professor at the Seidman Business School at Grand Valley State where she teaches in the Management and Finance Department. Eunice is on Grand Valley’s Alumni Association Board, Inner City Christian Federation Board, and the Grand Rapids Rotary Club Board. Eunice is the current President of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club.

Her volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Gilda’s Club, and Junior Achievement. Eunice lives in Kentwood with her son Antonio and loves to spend time with family and work out.

Dwight is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with roots in Benton Harbor, Michigan, where his upbringing was shaped by his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and his mother’s commitment to education. He attended Western Michigan University, focusing on Business, Communications, and Fine Arts. Dwight is dedicated to building strong community partnerships, revitalizing the internal DEI Champion network, and driving the company’s DEI recruitment strategy, all while staying committed to creating a more equitable world.

Beyond his professional role, Dwight is deeply involved in community service. He is an accomplished alto saxophonist, performs at The Pentecostals of Kentwood, and volunteers with the Senior PGA. He also mentors college students and serves on the boards of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and Inforum’s Next Gen Council. His contributions have earned him accolades, including the Building Bridges Through Education award and honors from Black Wall Street USA Ambassadors, and he has spoken at events for organizations like Hello West Michigan and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. With every endeavor, Dwight remains focused on leaving a lasting legacy of inclusivity, leadership, and community impact.

Claire Horlings is a health plan analyst for HAP CareSource, a joint venture between a Michigan-based insurance company and a national health plan. She holds a BA in Journalism from Michigan State University and is a proud Spartan.

Claire is also an experienced fund and business development professional, having worked previously in financial services and the nonprofit sector. Claire has more than 20 years of experience volunteering for a variety of organizations including Forest Hills Public Schools, Bethany Christian Services and Clark Retirement Community.

Claire previously served as Board Secretary for the club; currently serves as co-chair of the Community Engagement Committee and is also the Board President of the West Michigan Asian American Association. She lives in Grand Rapids Twp. and she and her husband, Rod have three children.

Brian P. Hauenstein is President and Principal of Oasis Senior Advisors. With over 30 years of leadership in retail marketing and community service, he is dedicated to helping families navigate senior living decisions with compassion and clarity. Brian also serves as a trustee, board member, and advisor across several health and human service organizations. His work reflects a deep commitment to building trusted relationships and delivering personalized support to those in transition.

Mary graduated from Purdue University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. She also has a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) with an emphasis in Public Administration from Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis and a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Fund Raising School/ Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Mary is also a member of the Board of Directors for Broadway Grand Rapids.

Jax Merritt is the Sales and Service Manager at Alliance Financial & Insurance, bringing over 13 years of expertise in the insurance industry with a strong focus on client relationships, leadership, and community impact. Known for her strategic mindset and passion for service, Jax is also a proud graduate of the University of Phoenix, where she earned her MBA after completing her Bachelor of Science in Business and Human Resources. Her academic journey began at Aquinas College, shaping a foundation of values and curiosity that still drives her today.

Beyond the office, Jax is a dedicated community leader. She currently serves as Co-Chair for both Women of Habitat Kent—supporting affordable housing initiatives—and STRIVE, a Rotary Club of Grand Rapids program that mentors local students as they prepare for life after high school. She also serves on Rotary’s Community Engagement Committee, helping to build meaningful connections and projects that benefit the Grand Rapids area. Her commitment to making a difference is matched only by her enthusiasm for life outside of work.

Originally from Athens, Michigan, Jax now calls Grand Rapids home. When she’s not supporting her team or serving the community, you’ll likely find her firing up the grill for a barbecue competition or singing along at a live concert. Whether she’s leading a team, mentoring youth, or mastering the perfect brisket, Jax brings energy, heart, and a little spice to everything she does.