The Grand Rapids Chamber is excited to announce five new additions to its Board of Directors for 2023. Meet the board members below.
Tracey Hornbeck
President & CEO, Legacy Trust GR
What excites you about serving on the Chamber Board?
I have worked in downtown GR for 26 years. I care deeply about our community and the businesses that make it thrive. I am excited to serve on the board to help businesses continue to prosper in one of the greatest cities on earth.
What do love most about Grand Rapids?
I love the variety that Grand Rapids offers in culture, arts, restaurants, sports, entertainment venues, parks, and access to water.
One fun fact that isn’t on your resume?
I love to freshwater fish and can tie my own flies.
Steven Miller
Chief Technology Officer, Steelcase
What excites you about serving on the Chamber Board?
I am looking forward to collaborating with such a distinguished group of leaders from all across the GR business community. A wonderful opportunity to support our city and those we share it with.
What do love most about Grand Rapids?
What do love most about Grand Rapids? I love that Grand Rapids is constantly developing into something new. The new businesses, communities, and events emerging in the city have kept it fresh and dynamic. It feels like every week I am having a “we have that in GR now?” reaction. We really have something special here to foster and grow.
One fun fact that isn’t on your resume?
My family moved over a dozen times before settling in GR when I was a teenager. My father ran department stores, and we saw all kinds of different business environments around the Midwest. I consider GR my home town, and the best place of them all to live and work.
Ana Ramirez Saenz
CEO & Founder, La Fuente Consulting
What excites you about serving on the Chamber Board?
The business community here in GR offers so many opportunities for growth. So many companies are poised to get to the next level in their market sectors, and I am delighted to be a small part of that growth and development. As a board member, I look forward learning more about their needs and the resources and tools they need to continue their growth and success. As a business community, working together, we can continue to drive the economy forward in Michigan. We have the leadership, talent, most importantly the drive to continue to be a powerful engine for growth and development. I am excited to serve to continue to build underrepresented business, ensure access to capital and create pathways for innovation and inclusion.
What do love most about Grand Rapids?
The people, the energy around developing our city to be more inclusive, the focus on economic development and the yes, the work ethic. We are a community to works very hard, strives to do our utmost best and it shows by what Grand Rapids has accomplished and position to do in 2023 and beyond. It is a great place to raise a family, there is a focus on education from K-Post Graduate and high quality Ed institutions. What I also love is the opportunity to grow and be a part of the energy, you don’t have to look very far to get engaged. Are we perfect? No. Do we have problems? Yes. However, if we work together and rely on each other, Grand Rapids has a lot to offer!
One fun fact that isn’t on your resume?
I am a novice ornithophile – birdwatcher! I love bird watching, I get a thrill out of watching in the spring all Aves come alive, the diversity of species and colors, the rituals and most importantly their beauty, from the Sparrow to the bright yellow American finch. May last bird watching trip was to Tulum, Mexico. Fantastic, highly recommend it.
Lauren Snyder
Vice President of Customer Experience, Consumers Energy
What excites you about serving on the Chamber Board?
Businesses are at the heart of this community. I’m excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with business leaders to solve challenges present in West Michigan, including talent attraction and retention, housing, public safety, and advancing clean energy/sustainability. Our business community has a strong record of uniting around public policy goals and affecting change. As the primary outlet for advocating for and supporting business leaders, the Chamber will advance these goals – and I can’t wait to be part of it!
What do love most about Grand Rapids?
Our community – we have a big city vibe with a small town feel!
One fun fact that isn’t on your resume?
I’m a wife to Blake (an owner of a family business in GR, Kent Rubber Supply) and mom to four kids, ages 9 and under. I also love to golf and played in college at Michigan State University.
Zach Verhulst
Founder & Managing Principal, Pure Architects
What excites you about serving on the Chamber Board?
I’m excited to bring my unique perspective to this great group of business leaders. I have a lot of relationships and friendships around town and feel that I am in a position to share their voices in the board process for the Chamber.
What do love most about Grand Rapids?
I love so many things, but something that stands out to me is our ability, as people, neighbors, colleagues, etc. to collaborate on tough issues. I have employees in other cities and I can’t say it is a characteristic that lives in all places.
One fun fact that isn’t on your resume?
I am a sneaker nerd! I love shoes. In my life, I’ve had well over 200 pairs of shoes at one time or another.
