Page 12 - October 2023 FOCUS Magazine
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FOCUS ON TALENT FOCUS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2023
Lansing Region’s Top Young Professionals
Recognized at 10 Over the Next Ten Awards
he 17th annual 10 Over the Next Ten Awards were Lisa Barna spent a decade working
held on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the University Club in economic and community
Tof MSU in East Lansing. This event recognizes development before deciding to
Greater Lansing’s top 10 young professionals who are take the plunge and open Black Dog
expected to contribute significantly to our community Coffee in her hometown of Eaton
over the next ten years. The 10 Over the Next Ten Awards Rapids. Black Dog has been one of
were sponsored by Independent Bank. The University the most rewarding and challenging
Club of MSU served as the event venue sponsor. The 10 things she has ever done. She feels the
Over the Next Ten Awars were co-hosted by the Lansing joy of running a profitable business
Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and Lansing Barna that has become a gathering place
5:01. Michigan Premier Events served as the event and meeting the need of people in
management partner. the community. Every month, Black Dog introduces a
new, unique seasonal menu, which allows them to stay on
The 2023 10 Over the Next Ten Award recipients include: top of food and drink trends. She has plans for build-outs
and developments of their building for every year until
Paul Anderson’s professional 2029. Lisa and her husband Andrew have experienced the
journey showcases diverse roles joy of hosting seven foreign exchange students in their
and significant accomplishments. home. After hosting the exchange students and learning
Founding Stay Rooted Lansing, he they could not have children of their own, the couple have
led its transition to a non-profit, fostered 16 children. Lisa is very active in the community,
promoting community development including supporting the Eaton Rapids Farmers Market
and initiating green spaces. At and is an active member of Rotary and the Eaton Rapids
Moneyball Sportswear, he excelled in Chamber of Commerce.
e-commerce, enhancing customer
engagement and relations. As a Kirsten Feldpausch is special gifts
Anderson
Fatherhood Coalition Advisor, he manager for the Greater Lansing
organized events and engaged communities. Paul Food Bank. Kirsten moved to Lansing
has also left an impact through community service, shortly prior to the Covid Pandemic
memberships, and achievements, including working as a and it was during that time she
promotions committee member for Downtown Lansing witnessed the character of the region.
Inc. As City of Lansing Leisure Services Advisory Board She stood alongside volunteers in
President since April 2019, he strategically advises on the early morning hours on countless
Parks and Recreation initiatives, optimizes community Saturdays helping to load the trunks
resources, and raises funds for community centers. Feldpausch of hundreds of neighbors’ cars with
groceries they might not otherwise
Mikeyy Austin is a musician/artist, be able to afford. She worked diligently to secure partners
business owner, organizer, culture and funding for new programming to better ensure the
curator and an equity and leadership equitable access of the GLFB services across Mid-Michigan
consultant for the Early Childhood and worked collaboratively across the organization to
Investment Corporation. He is successfully complete a capital campaign which greatly
founder and director of OurSpace expanded the food bank’s capacity. Kirsten has become
(517), which produces Lansing’s very involved in the community including being a member
largest cultural celebration in the 517 of the 2022-23 Leadership Lansing cohort, the local
—Juneteenth weekend in Reo Town. Association of Fundraising Professionals chapter and
In the past three years, Juneteenth is also a certified tourism ambassador for the greater
Austin
celebrations have generated over Lansing area.
$100,000 in revenue for Black and Brown businesses
in Lansing. OurSpace (517) also supports other Andrew Gauthier is founder and co-owner of Groovy
organizations by providing event planning, marketing Donuts in Williamston and East Lansing. A graduate of
and advertising, video production, fundraising support MSU, Andrew has a successful background as a Wall
and consultation. Mikeyy and his OurSpace (517) team Street investment banker that has served him well as he
were recipients of the 2023 Lansing Built to Last award. has led Groovy Donuts in becoming an award-winning
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