OutPro

10/12/2026

We hope you can join us tomorrow for our final Out to Network of 2026! We will be at New Holland Brewing Co. Grand Rapids Brewpub starting at 6:00 p.m.

We're also preparing for our final OutPro Forum of the year! Join us on October 28 for a conversation around what it means to lead authentically in today’s workplace. Learn more and register here: https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-10-28/

04/07/2026

What does it look like to be yourself at work, and why does it matter?

Your Grand Rapids Chamber is proud to host a powerful and timely conversation with Jane Gietzen at our upcoming OutPro Forum, The Business of Belonging: A Journey to Authenticity. Together, we’ll explore how personal experiences shape leadership, team dynamics, and the way people show up at work.

Save your spot by registering here:

OutPro promotes a welcoming culture in the West Michigan community and offers social and professional networking opportunities.

03/30/2026

Meet Chris Balletto (she/her), a trainer with more than 15 years of experience, including facilitating distance learning for groups of all sizes across multiple time zones and regions.

Chris currently serves on the Digital Services team at Corewell Health, supporting colleagues in strengthening their Microsoft skills through both classroom and web-based training. She also contributes to organizational culture by leading onboarding experiences and facilitating culture-shaping and leadership development courses.

In addition, Chris is a certified Cultural Intelligence trainer and collaborates closely with the organization’s Belonging team to deliver sessions such as Unconscious Bias and LGBTQIA+ 101.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys advocacy, hiking and exploring the world around her, and catering to the whims of her cats, Lily and Charlie.

She has served on the OutPro Council since January 2024, and we are so grateful to have Chris' voice and leadership at the table!

03/25/2026

As conversations around identity and inclusion continue to evolve, creating space for authenticity at work matters more now than ever.

We're so excited to have Jane Gietzen kickoff our first OutPro Forum on April 22! Join us as Jane shares her personal story about navigating authenticity, leadership and belonging in the workplace. Together, we'll explore what it means to show up as your true self, and how we can build workplaces where everyone feels like they belong.

Register today! https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-4-22/

02/24/2026

OutPro Council Spotlight: Charlee Vargas

Charlee has proudly served as an OutPro Council Member since 2024. She works as a Business Analyst at Fifth Third Bank and is the Co-Chair for the West Michigan LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group. In these roles, Charlee is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces and fostering a sense of belonging for all.

Her commitment to advocacy and community engagement drives her to make a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace. Charlee believes that visibility and representation matter—and she strives to lead with authenticity and purpose.

In her free time, Charlee enjoys reading, diving into new video games, finding creative outlets and spending quality time with her wife and their dog.

Thank you, Charlee, for helping move this work forward with intention and heart!