Leadership Lesson Breakfasts feature strong community trustees and leaders sharing valuable leadership lessons. In addition to a brief presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to network with Chamber members and connect with other leadership alumni.

Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Research and Insights, MillerKnoll

Ryan Anderson serves as Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, where his team leads the generation and sharing of insights for the seventeen brands within the MillerKnoll family. With over twenty-five years of industry experience, Ryan’s work has centered on how the places we inhabit can be better designed to support positive, productive experiences. Ryan regularly speaks about the future of working and living and has been featured in Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, BBC, Fortune and beyond. Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryaningr/.

Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Michigan Education Association

Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell is the progeny of the greater Grand Rapids Area. Grounded in her lived experiences and her community-focused parents’ love and human- centered values, Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell has become a formidable lifetime advocate, leader, and educator; she has worked feverishly on initiatives, structures and polices that yield more inclusive growth, strong communities, quality public education, and equitable systems that honor and maximize human potential.

She began her career at what is now Kent County’s Network 180, connecting children and families to mental health and substance abuse services. From there she took her love of children to the most logical place – our public schools, as a School Counselor, Guidance Classroom Teacher, Consultant and Principal. Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell made innovative and inclusive strides as a regional leader at Kent Intermediate School District. She is now serving as Michigan Education Association’s founding Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In these positions, Brandy created and facilitated engaging and restorative programs like Butterflies, Nurtured Seeds, Boys-to-Men and Educators of the Yam.

Dr. Mitchell recently became elected to the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, reading, and attempting to learn golf, which comes at the expense, unfortunately, of her husband’s bent and battered golf clubs.

Misti Stanton, VP Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Misti Lynn Stanton is a fresh voice in diversity in Michigan. After more than 30 years of community and non-profit work, she currently serves as the VP Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Misti dedicates her time and energy to cultivating an inclusive work environment in a rapidly-growing organization. In her spare time, Misti volunteers for a variety of community organizations and advocates for youth literacy and community empowerment.

Misti served the Grand Rapids Public Schools in various capacities for over 25 years. Prior to her current position, she served as Program Manager for Heart of West Michigan United Way Schools of Hope, helping to set the groundwork for the program’s inception.

She has served on various community boards and initiatives. Misti is passionate about literacy, learning and mentorship and has dedicated her career to improving the academic lives of students. She lives by the philosophy that knowledge can be imparted to others through the sharing of life experiences.