Meet the 2023 Future 15 Recipients!
The Future 15 Awards are an annual recognition from the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce in partnership with JCI Greater Muskegon and WGVU Public Media. This is the 10-year anniversary of the Future 15 Program, with over 150 leaders having been recognized in the last decade. These young professionals are making significant contributions to the growth and success of their companies as well as immense community volunteerism that is making a positive impact along the Muskegon Lakeshore.
Meet The Future 15
Alexandria Wiggin |
Fomcore, LLC |
| Alexandria Renae Torok Wiggin is a lifelong resident of Muskegon who has worked in a variety of environments including the emergency room during the COVID pandemic, local schools, and a Muskegon manufacturer. Her love and commitment for God, family, and others drives her to support people in Muskegon in a hands-on way. As a foster parent for the last 2 ½ years she has provided a safe and caring home for multiple children including sibling sets while working towards and advocating for family reunification. She also manages the customer service department for Fomcore LLC, a fast growing, locally owned furniture manufacturer. Her favorite things about Muskegon include the amazing farmer’s market, diverse restaurants downtown, and being close to so much nature to explore. |
Andrea Rose |
Muskegon Lumberjacks |
| Andrea Rose was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. She is a 2010 graduate from Grand Valley State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. The Laker alum serves as the President of Business Operations for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League and is entering her sixth season with the team. She is passionate about mentorship both within the organization and the community. Rose serves as the Vice President of the Lakeshore Junior Lumberjacks as well as Sport Management Advisory Council member for Carthage College. Andrea resides in Norton Shores with her husband, Jeff, and their four children. In her free time she enjoys watching them play sports and coaching select soccer. |
Ashley Battle |
Muskegon Community College |
| Ashley Battle, born and raised in California, up until the age of 11 when she moved to Muskegon, MI. Ashley has maintained employment at Muskegon Community College and has held several positions within the college including Orientation Specialist, Admissions Representative, and Manager of Admissions Partnerships. Ashley now serves as the Associate Director of Admissions at MCC. Within her many roles at the college, she has consistently been a resource to her community be it at community events or assisting students and staff. She has a great passion to be the voice for those that may not otherwise feel they have one. Ashley looks forward to Day of Caring every year through United Way. When she is not working, you may find her at the beach, spending time with her family, or traveling. |
Breanna Hansen |
Edward Jones |
| Breanna Hansen and her husband Kyle moved to Muskegon in 2016, and they have made a home here. Breanna is always looking for ways to give back to this community that welcomed her in such a profound way. She serves as Vice President of Individual Development on the board for JCI Greater Muskegon, as well as being an active member of the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce. She has served as a Loaned Executive for the United Way of the Lakeshore, and was instrumental in the creation and continuation of many community events and outreach projects. Breanna is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, and her mission is to create positive impact in her community and in the lives of her clients, colleagues, friends, and family. When she is not working you will probably find her at a local coffee shop, reading a book, or taking a yoga class. |
Cisily Zuniga |
Every Woman’s Place |
| Cisily Zuniga was born in Holland, MI and bought a house in Muskegon 2 years ago to be a community advocate for the oppressed and underrepresented. In her role as Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at Every Woman’s Place she has been able to give hope to survivors in times of distress and educate the community on what love really is. She has volunteered with various Latine (gender neutral term not spelled wrong) Centered organizations and is working with community partners to hold people accountable to the community needs effected by racism and gentrification. In her free time, you can find her at the dog part of the beach with her best friend Nacho and partner Sam. |
DeMarcus Evans |
Five Star Real Estate |
| Born and raised in Muskegon Michigan, DeMarcus Evans is passionate about the community he calls home. He takes pride in the work he does with his team as a realtor for EAG real estate, one of Five Star Real Estate’s top Lakeshore teams. He currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Membership Vice President for JCI Greater Muskegon, an organization dedicated to creating positive change. When DeMarcus isn’t working or volunteering, you can find him kayaking or visiting other JCI chapters. |
J.J. Lewis |
United Way of the Lakeshore |
| J.J. Lewis joined the United Way of the Lakeshore family as their Chief Development Officer in August 2022 and moved back home to Pure Michigan after seven years in California last October. During his time in California, he served as the Superintendent & CEO of Compass Charter Schools. While he is originally from southeast Michigan, growing up his family would take him camping to Pioneer Park and now he lives a few miles from the park.
J.J. holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University in History and Political Science. He also has a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. He is currently finishing his dissertation “Inclusion in California Public Schools: Perspectives of their Gay Male Employees” from the University of Southern California. J.J. jumped right in upon moving to Muskegon, sharing and implementing ideas at United Way to connect with their donors and volunteers to inspire their philanthropic giving. He enjoys being active and involved in the communities where he lives and works and serves on a number of boards and committees. J.J. lives in Laketon Township with his partner Justin and their three cats and three dogs (a mini petting zoo). |
Jamie Pesch |
City of Muskegon |
| Jamie Pesch is a lifelong resident of Muskegon, leaving only to earn a degree in architecture. For the past seven years, he has worked as a planner and urban designer with the City of Muskegon, and serves as staff liaison to the City’s Historic District Commission. His interests in the history, strength, and potential of rust belt cities drive his work and dedication to his hometown. When he is not at City Hall, he’s typically out walking and biking the city, or visiting the local library to research Muskegon’s history. |
Kelsey Rhoda |
West Michigan APEX Accelerator |
| Kelsey Rhoda was born and raised along the lakeshore in Holland, Michigan. She grew up uncertain of what career path to take but was always motivated by her passion to help others and support them in their goals and aspirations. Supporting others has always been the driving force in her work and career goals. After trying a few colleges, spanning from Colorado to Michigan, she found her home at Davenport University. At DU she excelled in her education by making the Dean’s list while completing her associates degree in business, followed by a bachelors of science degree in health care administration.
Kelsey has been with Greater Muskegon Economic Development for 4 years and is so grateful and humbled to have found a career which serves others professionally and locally in the community. She is the director of West Michigan APEX Accelerator Program. As the director, she finds constant fulfillment by collaborating with and supporting her team both individually and collectively, as well as supporting businesses in the community to grow, thrive & succeed. Supporting the community in various ways are also central to her work ethic; she has resurrected the group volunteering initiative within her organization, she is a member of the Muskegon Rotary club and has dedicated time to serve other non-profits that she is passionate about, such as the local women’s shelters and equine therapy. If Kelsey isn’t working she is most likely enjoying other things that she loves; spending time with her partner Eric and family, lake Michigan, exploring northern Michigan, or having a great glass of wine. |
Kendra Beckstrom |
Kids’ Food Basket |
| Born and raised in Muskegon, Kendra moved away for over 10 years but her love for the lakeshore brought her back.
Kendra’s most important role is that of a busy mom. Most days evenings and weekends, you will find her carpooling her two boys to a baseball field or golf course. Professionally, in her role of Senior Regional Manager at Kids’ Food Basket, Kendra has played an integral role over the last 4 years with the continuing growth of the organization. Whether facing the Polar Vortex, The Pandemic, or scaling programming to meet the community need, she is always the first to show up and the last to leave. Her natural leadership, collaborative efforts and commitment to the Muskegon Community remain her true focus. Respected by her peers and loved by countless volunteers, Kendra demonstrates integrity, passion, confidence, and accountability with each step. |
Kristina Broughton |
Muskegon Museum of Art |
| Kristina Broughton has a mission to make a positive impact in Muskegon through arts and culture. As the Director of Marketing for the Muskegon Museum of Art, she uses her passion for creative marketing and community engagement to make the arts more accessible and approachable for our community and beyond. Putting Muskegon on the map in a positive light is a personal passion project for her as she is a strong advocate for raising awareness of the good within our community.
Aside from her role at the MMA, Kristina teaches college courses in Digital Marketing and Graphic Design, while also finding time to volunteer and share her expertise with a number of organizations and festivals around town. |
Matthew VanLinden |
Fresh Coast Counseling |
| Matthew VanLinden was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. After attending Muskegon Catholic Central Matthew went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from Albion College and his Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. It was during this time that Matthew honed his dream of owning and running his own group practice one day. Over the past 10 years since graduating he has been working in a multitude of youth serving roles. Whether it be in an alternative education environment, the local YMCA, Every Woman’s Place, the juvenile court system, or now in private practice Matthew has kept his sites set on impacting those he is most passionate about serving, our community’s youth. Matthew and his wife Emilee, also a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and the co-owner of Fresh Coast Counseling, are dedicated to making a lasting impact on our community. Matthew and his wife share 3 beautiful children and when not spending time with them the two of them enjoy playing beach volleyball and riding bikes. |
Monica Turnbull |
The Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore |
| Monica Turnbull is a West Michigan native, a proud Muskegon Catholic Central Crusader, and a graduate of Central Michigan University with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and a Gerontology minor. She has maintained her certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), though her career quickly took her into increasing levels of management responsibility in diverse roles, for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Monica is currently the Chief Executive Officer at The Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore.
Monica is active in the community as a member of the Muskegon Innovation Hub, a Board Member of the Disability Network of West Michigan, and a volunteer for Be The Match, Pioneer Resources, Project Semi-Colon, Red Cross, and Lakeshore Art Festival. |
Shameika Johnson |
Muskegon Community College |
| A native of Muskegon Heights, Shameika Johnson is a lifelong learner and lover of education. She is an advocate for highlighting the voices of unheard students and members of underserved communities. Professionally, she currently serves as the Workforce Programs & Continuing Education Coordinator at Muskegon Community College. She is the co-founder of Community for Muskegon Heights Seniors, an active board member for Muskegon Family Care, and Vice President of the Muskegon Heights chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When she is not serving her cAndreommunity, Shameika enjoys spoiling her daughter, dabbling in writing stories for young readers, learning about herbal medicine, and planning the restructuring of her business, Mulani Chakra Tea Co. |
Thomas Serio |
Real Estate West & Elite Detail |
| Thomas A Serio is a Muskegon native and proud graduate of Muskegon High School. Thomas has a passion for helping others and has aligned his passion with his vocation. Thomas is the Broker/Owner of Real Estate West, a licensed builder, real estate investor who prides himself on making an impact on housing in Muskegon. Thomas is also Co-Owner of Elite Detail. Thomas is a Harbor Hospice Foundation Board member, Committee Chair of Compassionate Givers of Harbor Hospice, and Board member of Solid Rock Housing Support. Thomas enjoys cooking good food and entertaining as well as travelling. |