Mindy Ysasi-Castanon

Mindy Ysasi is a native of Grand Rapids, MI and attended Grand Valley State University. She received her B.B.A in marketing and management (Seidman School of Business) in 2003.

After her freshman year at GVSU Mindy began an internship at Cascade Engineering in human resources. Upon graduation she began her professional career with Cascade Engineering, serving in a variety of HR roles. Cascade Engineering encouraged strong engagement with the community which led Mindy to become a board member of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. In 2006 Mindy was selected as a fellow for the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State. Mindy achieved her senior human resources certification from HR Certification Institute in 2009.

Mindy joined Herman Miller, Inc. in 2011 as an HR Consultant role supporting the manufacturing operations. In 2012 Milinda joined the board of BL2END, a young professionals organization focused on retaining professionals of color in Grand Rapids. BL2END partnered with Cascade Engineering in 2012 for the first annual Young Professional of Color conference, which Mindy was an organizer.

Mindy began a new career in healthcare at Spectrum Health in 2014. In this role she worked with nursing leaders on performance management, leadership coaching and talent strategy. In fall of 2014 she was promoted to the HR Business Partner role working with both IT and Financial professionals across the health system. Mindy was appointed to serve on the GVSU School of Public, Non-Profit and Healthcare Administration board in 2014. Mindy started an organic collective with three friends in 2014, the Latina Network of West Michigan. A space for Latinas to connect one on one to provide support, mentorship and opportunity an uplifting environment.

In March 2015 Mindy accepted the role of Executive Director, The SOURCE. The mission of The SOURCE is to reduce barriers post employment for employees that work for the member organizations.
Mindy currently serves as the secretary for the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and is past President, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce – Center for Community Leadership board and the Varnum Diversity Council. She has been recognized with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Young Professional award, the GVSU Alumni Service award, GR Business Journal 40 under forty and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-GR DoGooder Award.

She resides in the Creston neighborhood of Grand Rapids with her husband Rafael Castanon.