LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
Alicia
Adell, Social Networking
Committee Chair
Alicia was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and
relocated to West Michigan to attend Grand Valley State
University. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of
Science in Public Relations, and obtained her Master
of Education degree in 2007. Currently, Alicia is working
at Grand Valley as an academic adviser for student-athletes.
Adell is also an active member of the Grand Rapids Alumnae
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and New Hope
Baptist Church. She is dedicated to giving back to her
community and empowering students to see the full potential
of what they can accomplish. Alicia joined the BL²END
board in January 2009.
Contact Alicia: social@grblend.org
Favorite quote: "Believing requires action." ~
Author unknown
Mercedes
Barragan, Marketing & Communications
Co-Chair
Mercedes
Barragan was born in Rochester, Michigan. She attended
Grand Valley State University and obtained a Bachelor
of Science in Advertising and Public Relations in May
of 2010. Currently, she is working at Cascade Engineering
in the marketing department. She also volunteers at the
Institute for Global Education in Grand Rapids. Mercedes
joined the BLEND board in January 2011.
Contact Mercedes: marketing@grblend.org
Favorite quote: "Imagination is more important than
knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know
and understand, while imagination embraces the entire
world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." ~
Albert Einstein
Maxine
Gray, President, Executive Board
Maxine
was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and graduated
with her Master of Science in Communications from Grand
Valley State University in 2009 and her Bachelor of
Arts in Communications from Hope College in 2004. She
is the candidate experience and social media program
manager at Herman Miller, Inc. Her passions include
a combination of professional, educational, and community
activities, including marketing, communications, diversity
and inclusion for young professionals of color and
women. Gray is a member of the InForum West Michigan
Regional Council, the Varnum Diversity and Inclusion
Advisory Council and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Advisory Council. She is also a 2007 graduate of the
Heart of West Michigan United Way Project Blueprint
program. Maxine joined the BL²END
board in November 2006.
Contact Maxine: president@grblend.org
Favorite quote: "Faith is the first factor in a
life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible.
With it, nothing is impossible." ~ Mary McLeod Bethune
Marnique
Harris, Vice President, Executive Board
Marnique was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She relocated to Michigan to study Aviation Science
and Administration at Western Michigan University,
where she earned her Bachelor of Science in 2003. Marnique
briefly worked in the airline industry, and then found
a love for higher education. Her experience includes
working in financial aid for American Intercontinental
University Online, student outreach and recruitment
for Western Michigan University and she currently works
for Grand Valley State University in the financial
aid department. In December 2008, Marnique earned a
Master of Arts in Career Technical Education from Western
Michigan University. She is an active member
of Revolution Christian Ministries in Grand Rapids
and joined the BL²END board in January 2009.
Contact Marnique: vicepresident@grblend.org
Favorite quote: “You win peoples’ heart by
helping them grow personally.”
~ John Maxwell, “Developing
the Leader Within”
Brian
Parks, President Elect, Executive Board
Brian was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended
Grand Valley State University where he obtained a Bachelor
of Business Administration in Finance and Economics
in 2008. Brian began his career as a commercial credit
analyst for Mercantile Bank of Michigan, and is currently
a graduate student at Grand Valley State University
in the Accounting program. In the community, he volunteers
at Harrison Park Elementary through Schools of Hope
and regularly with Habitat for Humanity. Brian joined
the BL²END board in January 2009.
Contact Brian: presidentelect@grblend.org
Favorite quote: “Watch your thoughts, for they
become words. Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your
habits, for they become character. Watch your character,
for it becomes your destiny.” ~ Author unknown
Latoya
Person, Secretary, Executive Board
Latoya was born and raised in Flint, MI. She graduated
from Davenport University in May of 2010 with a Bachelor
of Business Administration and a concentration in Human
Resource Management. Latoya currently works as a recruiter
with Management Business Solutions. Latoya is a member
of New St. Mark Baptist Church where she serves as
Co-founder of One In Christ Ministry. She enjoys helping
and motivating others and routinely organizes clothing
drives and food basket giveaways in the local community.
One In Christ also has an ongoing partnership with
Hope Community Shelter with a goal of helping women
become a success in the community. Latoya joined the
BL²END board in January 2011.
Contact Latoya: eboard@grblend.org
Favorite quote: "Be lead by your dreams, not pushed
by your problems."
~ Author unknown
Celeste
Sánchez,
Community Outreach Committee Chair
Celeste
was born in New York City, and raised in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, and often finds herself traveling between the
Midwest and East Coast. Celeste graduated with a Bachelor
of Science in Child Development and Family Studies from
Purdue University in 2007. Sánchez is currently
enrolled at Western Michigan University, where she is
pursuing her masters degree in Counseling Psychology,
with the goal of becoming a licensed psychologist for
inner-city organizations. She recently relocated back
to Grand Rapids from Richmond, Virginia, and is currently
a Spectrum Health Community Health Educator in the Roosevelt
Park Neighborhood. Celeste enjoys being
active within the community. Celeste joined the BL²END
board in January 2009.
Contact Celeste: community@grblend.org
Favorite quote: "Make it thy business to know thyself,
which is the most difficult lesson in the world" ~
Miguel de Cervantes
Advisory
Council Members
Floriza Genautis has
over seven years of experience in the accounting and 
financial
arena with over eighteen years of specialization in
the professional staffing industry. Her previous
professional responsibilities include a comprehensive
background in accounting, human resources management,
benefits administration, and computer/network administration. Floriza
possess a BS in Mathematics with an emphasis in Computer
Application. She particularly enjoys interfacing
and developing good rapport with clients and candidates
and the marketing aspects of the staffing profession. Active
Memberships at AWE (Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs)
and Programs Chair of the Board, APO (Asian Professional
Organization), APACC (Asian Pacific American Chamber
of Commerce), GR Chamber of Commerce, CEED, AVRF (Asian
Victims Relief Fund) and Inforum. Active participation
in helping with the education for WBE (Women Business
Enterprise) and serving in the Council for WBENC (Women
Business Enterprise National Council) in the certification
committee. Presently, Founder/CEO of Management
Business Solutions a professional staffing firm with
national capabilities offering clients personalized
and relationship driven organization specializing in
placing candidate in the areas of Accounting, Finance,
Human Resource, Information Technology, Sales and Marketing,
Engineering and Nursing.
Joseph D. Jones,
President/CEO of E.E. Milestone + Associates, Inc.
offers a 
very
unique base of strategic communications and cultural
competency expertise working with major organizations
within industries such as healthcare, public education,
construction, telecommunications, sports and entertainment,
philanthropy, community development, faith-based and
human services. Joseph is committed to the community,
and currently serves on a number of boards including
the Chemical Bank – GR Community Bank Advisory
Board, Kent County Department of Aeronautics, Grand
Rapids Symphony, LifeQuest Group, Christian Counseling
Center, Brown Hutcherson Ministries, and Grand Rapids
Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology. His professional
experience includes over 10 years of service in the
metropolitan Detroit area in the non-profit sector
as a community organizer, program coordinator and project
manager. Prior to Milestone, Joseph was the director
of marketing and public relations for a national construction-trades
employment service and a Managing Partner of Strategic
Communications Group, LLC. Joe holds a bachelor's degree
in communication arts from Oakland University.
Marlene Kowalski-Braun has
worked in higher education for the past 16 years, 
and
has been at Grand Valley State University since 1996.
During her time as Assistant Director of Housing at GVSU,
she led the taskforce that created the GVSU Women’s
Center and became its first Director, serving in this
role since 2001. While Marlene is involved in gender
equity through her position, she is also committed to
broader diversity efforts and higher education associations,
including Great Lakes Association of College and University
Housing Officers (GLACUHO), National Student Personnel
Association (NASPA), National Knowledge Community Chair
for Women in Student Affairs (WISA), Women’s Centers
through the National Women’s Studies Association
(NWSA) and the American Council on Education (ACE) Michigan
Network for Women. She is also a member of the West Michigan
Women’s Studies Association. In the community,
she has served on the United Way Women’s Leadership
and Community Investment Councils, co-chairs the Annual
GVSU United Way Campaign and was just awarded with “Campaign
Captain of the Year” for Kent County, Michigan.
Marlene earned her bachelor’s degree at Central
Michigan University, her master’s degree from Ball
State University, and is currently working on her doctorate
at Western Michigan University.
David Luna
David
Luna, currently the Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
for Saint Mary’s Health Care, has more than twenty
years in leadership positions in the areas of organizational
change, cultural competency and diversity. Prior to Saint
Mary’s, David was the head of diversity for Unicom
Corporation (now Exelon) in Chicago, Illinois and for
the Thomson Corporation (now Thomson-Reuters) headquartered
in Stamford, Connecticut. He was also the former
head of Leadership and Organizational Development for
the Latino Institute (Chicago). David earned his
BA and MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago;
and his JD at the University of Chicago. He is a member
of the Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP),
the National Forum of Latino Healthcare Executives, the
Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives and the
National Society of Hispanic MBA's.
Rodney Martin is a partner
in the law firm of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP. 
Having
started his career with the firm over 30 years ago, today
he chairs the Firm’s Financial Services Group.
He regularly advises clients regarding bank regulatory
issues involving mergers, acquisitions, the expansion
of banking activities, as well as fair lending, financial
privacy, and other compliance matters. In addition, Rodney
serves as the firm’s Diversity Partner. The firm’s
commitment to diversity has brought it numerous recognitions,
including the 2009 Diversity Visionary Award from the
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Rodney chairs
the Council of the Multiracial Association of Professionals
and was recently appointed by the President of the State
Bar of Michigan to serve on the Presidential Diversity
and Inclusion Advisory Group, which advises the leadership
of the State Bar in implementing its Pledge to Achieve
Diversity and Inclusion. Rodney also serves as president
of Comprehensive Therapy Center, Inc., a not-for-profit
that helps children with disabilities walk, talk, learn
and play.
Eddie Tadlock obtained
a B.A. in Communications and a B.S. in Public Relations 
from
Boston University and serves as the Assistant General
Manager of DeVos Place. The exhibit hall hosts a variety
of events and is home to the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand
Rapids Ballet Company, Opera Grand Rapids and Broadway
Grand Rapids. In addition to his position at DeVos Place,
Tadlock is a member of Grand Rapids’ Diversity
in Government Group and part of the Leadership Team for
the Community Sustainability Partnership. Tadlock also
serves as board member of the American Red Cross Grand
Rapids branch and is part of the Income Council of United
Way of West Michigan. Other professional organizations
include International Association of Venue Managers,
Meeting Planners International, and Professional Conference
Managers Association.
Dr. Sandra Upton is the
Dean of Business Programs in the Professional & 
Graduate
Studies Division at Cornerstone University. As part of
her responsibility as Dean, Dr. Upton plays an integral
leadership role in Cornerstone's MBA Global Business
Experience (GBE), facilitating experiences in Central
Europe, China, Israel and South Africa. In addition,
as a Management Consultant and Certified Cultural Intelligence
(CQ) Facilitator, Dr. Upton has conducted several CQ
training and consulting projects with global leaders
and organizations around the world. Her professional
affiliations include the Cultural Intelligence Center
(CLC), the Consortium for the Advancement of Adult Higher
Education (CAAHE), the Center for Adult Learner Research
(CRAL) and the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities
(CCCU). Her broader community involvement includes membership
with Inforum and the West Michigan's President's Compact
Committee (WMPCC) . Sandra received her undergraduate
degree from Michigan State University, a master’s
degree from Western Michigan University and her doctorate
from Regent University’s School of Global Leadership
and Entrepreneurship.
BL²END Founder
Erayna
Gamble relocated
from Detroit, Michigan to attend Grand Valley State
University, where she received her Bachelor of Business
Administration degree in marketing and general management.
She transitioned into the professional workforce
at Haworth, Inc. where she performed a variety of
roles within the marketing discipline under the title
of Marketing Associate. As someone that loves to
be involved, Erayna has been a member of the Haworth
diversity council, GVSU African American alumni association,
Heart of West Michigan United Way Project Blueprint
program, and a member of the board of directors at
Camp Blodgett. In July 2008, Erayna's desire to learn
and refine her business skills, led her to pursue
her Master of Business Administration degree at the
Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Favorite Quote: “Vision without
action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” ~
Japanese Proverb
Contact Erayna:
Erayna Gamble
BL²END Founder, and Board Co-Chair Emeritus
erayna.gamble@gmail.com
Special thanks and recognition
to past Board Members:
Jamon Alexander, Janean Couch, Janae Currington, Anissa
Eddie, Jermale Eddie, Ronnie Frelix, Jr., Erayna Gamble,
Sara Hill, Jamie Martinez, Marquisa Nash and Cynthia Offutt, Danielle Williams.
Special thanks and recognition
to past Advisory Council members:
Tanja Oquendo and Susan Morales-Barias.
