Page 13 - LRCC October 2025 Focus

Celebrating the 19th Annual Kirby Gibson Sara Majeske
Sara shines as a Project
Kirby, Associate Director of
10 Over the Next Ten Awards Residence Education at Michigan Development Advisor with Custom
Built Design & Remodeling, where
State University, is a nationally
recognized leader in student affairs she helps families bring dream
n September 16, 2025, the Lansing Regional and a doctoral candidate in Higher, homes to life. A proud Chamber
Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and Lansing Adult, and Lifelong Education. Her Ambassador and graduate of the
O5:01, with support from Michigan Premier impact reaches beyond campus ATHENA Aspiring Leaders program,
Events, gathered the community at the University Club through service with the NAACP she is dedicated to supporting
of MSU to honor ten extraordinary young professionals. Lansing Branch, Alpha Kappa local businesses, uplifting women
Now in its 19th year, the 10 Over the Next Ten Awards Alpha Sorority, and local youth initiatives. leaders, and giving back to the region she calls home.
continues to recognize rising leaders who are shaping
Greater Lansing’s future through their careers, Megan Dowell Simon Verghese
community involvement, and innovative spirit. As owner of Do-Well Remodel, As Project Manager Liaison
Megan has grown her woman- at the Michigan Economic
This year’s event was made possible thanks to our led construction business from Development Corporation,
presenting sponsor, Independent Bank; the the ground up while teaching Simon helps lead transformative
University Club of MSU, serving as the venue more than 1,200 students about projects, including the $320
sponsor; and Martin Commercial Properties. homeownership through her million New Vision Lansing
“Knowing Your Home” classes. redevelopment. Beyond their
Her passion for building extends professional role, Simon invests in
Meet the 2025 Honorees to mentoring women in trades, the community through leadership
volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and with Ingham Community Health Centers and the
Amy Adamy supporting the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. Lansing Symphony Orchestra, advocating for equity,
As Public Relations & Marketing healthcare, and the arts.
Manager at the Lansing Board of Patrick Kayser
Water & Light (BWL), Amy has led Patrick is both a business leader
the charge in crisis response, brand and entrepreneur. By day, he’s
recovery, and digital strategy— a corporate real estate specialist
growing BWL’s digital presence with MSU Federal Credit Union; by
and impact. Her leadership extends night, he runs Capital City Sweets,
into the community through PRSA, his growing dessert business
ATHENA WIN, and Advancing with a new storefront in Lansing.
Women in Energy, making her a strong voice for Through initiatives like Mission
professional women across the region. Mondays, Patrick pairs business CORPORATE, ASSOCIATION & COMMUNITY EVENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
with community impact, ensuring his success is
Andrez Chuney Dan Olsen Lansing’s success too. www.MichiganPremierEvents.com
517.220.4628
Founder of SORA Gardens, At Michigan State University, Dan
Andrez transforms underutilized serves as Chief of Staff to the SAME NAME.
Lansing spaces into hubs of food Dean of Communications Arts and SAME SERVICES.
sovereignty and community Sciences, where his leadership has NEW LOCATION.
resilience. From spearheading strengthened crisis management,

the Photosynthesis Event fundraising, and strategic 114 West Allegan Street Lansing, Michigan 48933
(Downtown Lansing)
to championing sustainable communications. His community
agriculture, his work bridges contributions run deep as Vice In addition to recognizing
food, equity, and empowerment— President of CharlotteRising and the 2025 honorees, the
connecting people back to the land and to through his service with the Michigan Community evening featured a special
one another. Service Commission. moment with the unveiling
of a brand-new honor: the
Cirea Strode Gabriella Dixon Chris Sell Award. Named
As Program Manager at the Gabriella brings both financial in tribute to Lansing
Michigan Department of Health expertise and heart to her work 5:01 founder Chris Sell,
and Human Services, Cirea at Neogen Corporation and as the award celebrates
oversees statewide juvenile justice founder of NextGen Wealth, individuals whose
initiatives and trauma-informed which promotes financial literacy. innovation, collaboration,
care for youth. Beyond her day job, Wearing another crown as Miss and vision have helped
she launched the Books & Building Environment USA 2025, she transform the Lansing
Initiative and serves on the Lansing uses her platform to champion region. Fittingly, Chris
School Board, embodying her sustainability, economic justice, himself was named the
passion for equity, literacy, and youth opportunity. and community empowerment. inaugural recipient. u

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