Meet the 2025 Future 15 Recipients!
Chamber Blog, Community News
|Jun 4, 2025|11 min read
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.
RSVP to attend the 2025 Future 15 Celebration on Wednesday, June 18th!
Meet The Future 15
Cori Bissell |
Real Estate West |
| Cori Bissell was born and raised in Muskegon and graduated from Oakridge. He is a Realtor with Real Estate West and is passionate about ensuring that clients are confident throughout the buying and selling processes with providing education and support. He believes that everyone deserves to feel included and valued in personal and professional interactions. Cori is a current ambassador for the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, an active JCI member, and volunteers for community events like Irish Fest, Taste of Muskegon, Parties in the Park and many more. Outside of work and volunteering, you will find him spending time with family and throwing darts at Pigeon Hill. |
Deborah Santiago-Sweet |
City of Muskegon |
| Deborah has always had a sweet spot for Muskegon and now channels that passion into her work as the City of Muskegon’s Community Engagement Manager.
From leading the charge on the city’s bold new branding to rethinking how Muskegon connects and communicates, Deborah has played a key role in many of the exciting changes happening around town. She serves as the central connector for all 15 of Muskegon’s neighborhood associations, represents the city on the Muskegon County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, and sits on the Citizens Police Review Board. She’s also a champion of the Watch Muskegon campaign, working with the Chamber to keep community pride front and center. After college, Deborah and her husband returned to Muskegon and put down roots in the Glenside Neighborhood, where she now serves as Neighborhood Association President. When she’s not organizing, collaborating, or dreaming up something new, you might find her soaking up Muskegon’s natural beauty… or off exploring somewhere new around the world. |
Elizabeth Kuyt |
Aldea Coffee |
| Living in downtown Muskegon for the past decade has given Elizabeth Kuyt a passion for the Muskegon community. A West Michigan native, she has worked with Aldea Coffee for the last 9 years. As Aldea’s Creative Director, she employs her art & design background with a community and resiliency focus. Elizabeth is passionate about environmental responsibility, helping to further Aldea’s mission and environmental efforts, serving as a model for the greater West Michigan business community. She was recently appointed to the newly established Muskegon County Sustainability Advisory Committee, and actively supports the local community through grassroots volunteer work and pro-bono design work. Outside of work, you’ll find her at the yoga studio, or riding a colorful tandem bicycle with her fiancé, Rory. |
Emily Erffmeyer |
City2Shore Real Estate Company |
| Emily Erffmeyer was born and raised in Ravenna, Michigan. She is passionate about making a positive difference, both personally and professionally. Emily takes pride in the work she does as the Managing Broker & Realtor for City2Shore Real Estate Muskegon and starting a short-term rental property management company. She currently serves on several boards along the lakeshore including being President for JCI Greater Muskegon, President-Elect for Women’s Council of Realtors Lakeshore Network, and Co-Chairperson for WMLAR Lakeshore YPN. When Emily isn’t working or volunteering, you can find her spending time with her family and friends or traveling. |
Emily Merten |
Muskegon Community College |
| Born and raised in West MI, Emily is passionate about building strong, connected communities. She serves as the Jayhawk Resource Hub Manager at Muskegon Community College, where she supports students in accessing vital resources for success. In addition to her role at the college, Emily serves on the Steering Committee for the Muskegon County Food Club, working to improve food access in Muskegon County. When not at work, she can often be found enjoying time outdoors—whether that’s swimming in Lake MI, gardening, kayaking or hiking. |
Emily Weber |
MillerKnoll |
| Emily Weber, a Muskegon, Michigan native, is deeply committed to giving back to her community and making a positive impact. As an Engineering Change Administrator at MillerKnoll, she works globally, including Muskegon and other Michigan locations. Emily has participated in MillerKnoll’s Global Day of Purpose and was previously a member of their Audit Committee and Communications Committee. Emily is currently an active member of the Greater Muskegon Jaycees, a board member of the West Michigan Speedskating Club and volunteer marketer for both the West Michigan Speedskating Club and the Michigan Speedskating Association. You will also see Emily volunteering at many Parties in the Park, The Taste of Muskegon, the Michigan Irish Music Festival, and other community events. When Emily is not working or volunteering, she can be found spending time with family and friends, training for and competing in both local and national powerlifting meets with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and participating in various sports. |
Hillary Jones |
Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore |
| Muskegon native and proud Fruitport Trojan alum, Hillary Jones is a committed arts advocate entering her 10th year at the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. As the Arts Specialist, she passionately seeks to ignite creativity, nurture self confidence, and inspire lifelong learning. Under her mentorship, two BGCML youth have earned national recognition for their artistic achievements in photography and applied arts. With degrees from Central Michigan and Cornerstone Universities, Hillary uses her musical background to serve as a piano accompanist and choir director at her church. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, hiking Lake Michigan’s majestic dunes, and chasing her next lighthouse visit (107 to date!). |
Katelyn Faber |
Service 1 Federal Credit Union |
| Katie Faber is a proud West Michigan native and Baker College alum. She has been with Service 1 Federal Credit Union for over five years and currently serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator. In this role, she thrives in supporting youth financial literacy, organizing volunteer efforts and fundraisers, and collaborating on business development initiatives. Her passion for her work shines through every project, and she takes great pride in working alongside her dedicated, community-driven team. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her friends and family. |
Katrina Hyder |
CatchMark Technologies |
| Kat Hyder is a people-person with a purpose: connecting great humans, solving real problems, and pouring energy into the Muskegon community. After moving to Muskegon in 2020, she fell in love with the lakeshore, the people, and the spirit of the city and jumped right in. As the Sales & Business Development Manager at CatchMark Technologies, she spends her days helping businesses grow and her evenings coaching Reeths-Puffer Varsity Softball, serving on Rotary committees, or spiking volleyballs at The Deck. She’s a two-time board member of JCI Greater Muskegon, where her work earned recognition from the local to national level, and she recently joined the Muskegon Chamber Ambassador team to keep doing what she loves: building community. Whether she’s advocating for smarter city planning with StrongTowns, dreaming up sustainable housing with her husband, or striking up conversations with total strangers, Kat shows up with contagious energy and a heart for making Muskegon better for everyone. |
Madeline Lombardo |
Muskegon YMCA |
| Madeline Lombardo was raised in Grand Haven, Michigan. Madeline is passionate about growing strong communities through the values of Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility in her role as the Chief Operating Officer at the Muskegon YMCA and YMCA Camp Pendalouan. Her overall focus is creating a place of welcoming and belonging for all that step onto the shores of Big Blue Lake and at a Muskegon YMCA program. Through her role as COO she is dedicated to increasing food access, drowning prevention and youth programming in the Muskegon Lakeshore Community. When not at Pendalouan, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, reading, crafts and all things pop culture. |
Megan Chase |
Shoreline Inn Hotel and Conference Center |
| A proud Muskegon native, Megan Chase is passionate about driving the growth of her hometown by sharing its charm with others. As General Manager of the Shoreline Inn, she ensures guests experience the very best of Muskegon – recommending local businesses and hidden gems that encourage repeat visits, support the local economy, and fuel continued revitalization. Megan credits her son as the heart behind her dedication, inspiring her to make a lasting impact on the community they both call home. |
Megan DeWitt |
Family Farm & Home |
| Proudly born & raised in Muskegon, MI, Megan believes life is richer when shared and she brings that energy and collaboration into everything she does. At Family Farm & Home, she works as a digital content specialist and product designer, helping bring the brand to life online and creating a seamless e-commerce experience. She volunteers her time leading social media for the Michigan Irish Music Festival and offers free photography services to other local nonprofits. When she’s not working or volunteering, Megan is likely painting, thrifting, or spending time outdoors with her family. |
Michael Apostle |
Journey Construction Group |
| Michael Apostle is the Director of Business Development for Journey Construction Group. He was born and raised in Muskegon and now resides in Norton Shores. Active in the Muskegon community, he coached boy’s soccer at Mona Shores High School for 15 years and now supports in various other ways. He is a Muskegon Chamber ambassador, Muskegon rotary member, and the Muskegon Country Ducks Unlimited Chapter president. In his free time, you can find him hunting, fishing, golfing, mountain biking or hiking with his wife! |
Parker Aerts |
Infinity Staffing Professionals |
| Parker Aerts serves as the Chief Ethics & Strategy Officer of Infinity Staffing Professionals, an employment agency transforming workforce development through a holistic approach and wraparound services. Infinity Staffing is dedicated to helping individuals not just find jobs, but build stability and long-term success. The company is piloting initiatives that address key employment barriers—such as childcare, transportation, mental health, and health coverage for team members—ensuring that job placements are sustainable and supportive.
On the employer side, Parker helps businesses strengthen their teams through inclusive hiring strategies and access to workforce development resources, including connections to community colleges, grant programs, and regional workforce initiatives. Infinity Staffing Professionals is certified as a Minority Owned Business through the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) program and was awarded a $10,000 grant from GVSU’s Muskegon Innovation Hub. Parker is also the CEO of Artman Outdoor Rentals, an RV and camper rental business that promotes access and belonging in outdoor recreation. As a visible representative of the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities, Parker created Artman to offer a more inclusive and welcoming experience in outdoor spaces that are increasingly being reimagined as accessible to all. In addition to his professional roles, Parker is an active community leader serving in a variety of capacities:
Parker’s work is guided by ethical leadership and a belief in creating inclusive, supportive systems that benefit individuals, families, businesses, and entire communities. |
Sara Cooper |
Muskegon County |
| Sara was born and raised in Muskegon, and her deep connection to the community is reflected in every part of her life. For the past 14 years, she has served Muskegon County government with unwavering dedication. Off the clock, she embraces all that the county has to offer. You will find her attending local events, exploring our parks and beaches, or volunteering in the community, with her beloved role as a mother taking the spotlight! |