A/E/C (Architectural, Engineering, Construction)

Focused on creating opportunities for transformational professional growth through developing leadership competencies and making strategic connections all within a spirit of inclusion and support.



Co-Chairs

Aileen Leipprandt

Aleena Staley
Barbara Welch

Carol Helsel

Jana Cooper

Kaleena Gonzalez

A2 Affinity

If you live or work in the Ann Arbor area, the A2 Affinity group is for you! Join us as we develop meaningful relationships with other Inforum members, make strategic connections, and discuss topics of importance to women and allies today.



Co-Chairs

Marilyn Clark

Katharine Rzepecki

Melissa Pynnonen 

Arts & Culture

Explore Michigan’s vibrant arts and culture scene with us! This statewide group plans exciting activities throughout the year, including performances, art shows, live music, and more. Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network and socialize. Come join the fun!



Co-Chairs

Stacey Dobis

Sarah Morin-Belleveau

Laurie Blume

Heidi Pfannes

Coffee Connections

Meet monthly for low cost networking with other Inforum members who are interested in establishing and building professional relationships. Come as you can; buy yourself some tea, coffee or a bagel and join our Breakfast Club!



Co-Chairs

Sharon Dykhouse

Julie Nemeth

Connections & Cocktails

Looking for an informal environment to expand your network? Join us for casual conversation over a beverage – discover strategic connections, make new friends, and share experiences with other professionals. We have regularly scheduled meetings on the Eastside (Troy) and Westside (Livonia) – check the calendar for the next event!



Co-Chairs

Melanie Erff

Tracie White

Kathy Mielke

Dinner

Meet for dinner at a West Michigan area restaurant to network with other Inforum members. Plan to order dinner off the menu, pay your own check, and relax and enjoy! Bring plenty of business cards.



Co-Chairs

Kathy Barry

Angie Sanborn

Chris Talsma-McLean

Detroit Lunch

Meet monthly for low cost networking with other Inforum members who are interested in establishing and building professional relationships.



Co-Chairs

Ryan Bowers

Maureen Rovas

Laura Tomassi-Miller

Annie Foca

Southeast MI - Emerging Leaders

This group was formed to bring together members who are young professionals, looking to network, develop relationships and overall look to better themselves in their personal and professional life.



Co-Chairs

Melissa Tetreau

Simran Ahmed Rushing

Mackenzie Proper

West MI - Emerging Leaders

This group was formed to bring together members who are young professionals, looking to network, develop relationships and overall look to better themselves in their personal and professional life.



Co-Chairs

Kaitlyn Lay 

Julia Thielbar

Naomi Zwyghuizen

Empower to Lead

Empower to Lead is an affinity group for full or part-time business owners/entrepreneurs, freelancers, those with a side-hustle or those who aspire to be their own boss. Find inspiration, support, advice from guest speakers, and fellow Inforum members who are at various stages of business ownership, from start-up to preparation for the sale of their business.



Co-Chairs

Angela Mitchell 

Adrienne Lenhoff 

Andrea Walker 

Gillian Vendittelli 

Meghan Storey 

Executive Leadership Alumnae

Brings together Executive Leadership graduates who want to continue to invest in themselves, keep learning and stay in contact with other graduates. Attend to participate in continued strategic connections and leadership development dialogue.



Co-Chairs

Brenda McMahon

Palbina McNabney

Happy Hour

To create a “happy” environment in which to build personal and professional growth through building genuine relationships. We will happy hour in a variety of ways and locations in the greater Grand Rapids area.



Co-Chairs

Sara Acker

Macy Berglund

Shawna Hondrop

Lakeshore Dinner Affinity Group

If you live or work in the Lakeshore area, this group is for you! Join us for drinks and dinner as we develop meaningful relationships with other Inforum members, make strategic connections, and discuss topics of importance to women today. Plan to order dinner off the menu, pay your own check, and relax and enjoy! Bring plenty of business cards.



Co-Chairs

Tami Wondergem

Martha Reidsma

Lakeshore Lunch Affinity Group

Live or work in the West Michigan Lakeshore area? Join the Lakeshore Affinity Group for a cup of coffee and to make strategic connections with other Inforum members and guests who are interested in establishing and building professional relationships.



Co-Chairs

Sue Fritz

Jennifer Gradnigo

Melissa Brower

Lunch

Meet for lunch at a West Michigan area restaurant with other Inforum members. “Feed your mind. Feed your stomach. Feed your network!” Plan to order lunch off the menu, pay your own check, and have fun as we build professional relationships.



Co-Chairs

Sarah Nelson

Stephanie Lares

Pujita Sieplinga

Ashley Pattee

ManufacturingNEXT

An extension of the ManufacturingNEXT industry group, this group will discuss industry matters, leadership development, technical subjects pertinent to manufacturing, along with building strategic industry relationships and offering manufacturing facility tours (COVID permitting). Join us to grow your manufacturing professional network and enhance your industry knowledge.



Co-Chairs

Stacey Henkel

Mary White

Mosaic (Women of Color)

The purpose of this affinity group is to leverage and strengthen the Inforum network by bringing together all hues of Women of Color, advocates, and allies to engage in courageous conversations that inspire personal and professional excellence and success. We encourage authentic relationships and desire to create a space for collaboration to accelerate strategic connections and professional and business growth for Women of Color. We don’t want time and proximity to be an issue; hence why a virtual.



Co-Chairs

Tiffany McLean 

Tracie White 

Cheria Thomas

Melinda Pye

Rochester Morning Group

If you live or work in the Rochester area, this group is for you! Join us as we develop meaningful relationships with other Inforum members, make strategic connections, and discuss topics of importance to women and allies today.



Co-Chairs

Janet Engelhardt

Molly Ransom

Sustainability + Environmental Group

The goal of this group is to provide learning and inspiration about work in this area being done in Michigan. One outcome we are working toward will be building relationships between Inforum members and organizations focused on sustainability as an extension of our inSTEM initiative.



Co-Chairs

Alissa Sevrioukova

Cynthia Williams

Lillian Woolley

Rae Howard

Ciara Bazinski

Elizabeth Sankaran

Troy Morning Group

If you live or work in the Troy area, this group is for you! Join us as we develop meaningful relationships with other Inforum members, make strategic connections, and discuss topics of importance to women and allies today.



Co-Chairs

Ashley Chambers

Kendra Corman

Brenda Meller

Deb Mourray

Andrea Wright

Stella Woitulewicz

West Bloomfield

If you live or work in the West Bloomfield area, this group is for you! Join us as we develop meaningful relationships with other Inforum members, make strategic connections, and discuss topics of importance to women and allies today.



Co-Chairs

Michelle Mintz

Women in Finance

An extension of the former FinanceNEXT industry group, this group will focus on building strategic industry relationships, industry matters, and some leadership development topics. Join us to grow your professional network!



Co-Chairs

Jennifer Fioritto

Yasmeen Jasey

Kristin Schleicher

Women of Wellness

The group is focused on providing information, resources, and support for women around health and wellness issues. It will provide accessible strategies, techniques and resources women and allies can adopt to make positive changes in their own health and lives.



Co-Chairs

Charlene Napiewocki

Angela Gauthier

Kathy Mielke

WeOwn Collective

The We Own Collective is a dynamic group of women entrepreneurs committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and success. Founded on the principles of empowerment and mentorship, our group provides a supportive platform for women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Through networking events we connect aspiring and established businesswomen, offering them the tools and community they need to thrive. Our mission is to break barriers, inspire leadership, and drive meaningful change in the business world, creating a vibrant ecosystem where women’s and allies ideas and ambitions can flourish.



Co-Chairs

Erin Dressander

Lauren Cohen 

Words & Wine

“Words & Wine” offers a relaxed gathering at a local restaurant to discuss recent reads and enjoy a lively interactive discussion. We meet at various local restaurants for food and a glass of wine (or any other beverage you prefer!) while taking the opportunity to network. The group encourages members to suggest books for subsequent monthly book club get-togethers.



Co-Chairs

MaryEm Musser

Hillary Kitchin