Grand Rapids Junior Chamber

10/09/2026

Change is inevitable. How we lead through it? That’s the difference.

Last night, GRJC members came together for our October Leadership Exchange: Read the Change to Lead the Change!

With Michelle Shattuck guiding the conversation, we explored the Emotional Cycle of Change and the ADKAR model, connecting what we learned to real situations in our workplaces and lives.

Because knowing change is happening and knowing how to lead people through it are two very different things! Great leadership means understanding people, meeting them where they are, and helping them move forward.

A HUGE thank-you to Michelle for sharing her expertise and practical tools, and to everyone who joined us ready to learn, share, and grow together!

At GRJC, we believe leadership development is about more than talking about being better leaders. It’s about putting what we learn into action.

Keep learning. Keep leading. Keep moving one step further!

Join us next month on the 2nd Thursday of every month for your monthly dose of inspiration towards creating positive change!

10/08/2026

💡 WHY JOIN THE GRJC BOARD?

Because leadership isn't just about having a title. It's about having a seat at the table and being willing to help build something.

Serving on the GRJC Board gives you the opportunity to:

✨ Build real leadership experience
🤝 Create deeper connections across Grand Rapids
💡 Use your strengths to make an impact
📈 Grow personally and professionally
🌱 Help create something meaningful for the next generation of GRJC members

But don't just take our word for it. Check out these 2 testimonials from our past leadership and active members!

If you've been looking for a way to get more involved, this could be your opportunity.

🗳️ Nominations for the 2027 GRJC Board are open through November 1.

Know someone who should run? Nominate them.
Thinking about running yourself? Do it.

👉 Head to the link below to submit a nomination or learn more about the Board positions.
✔️Nomination Form: https://lnkd.in/gnQGeTU5
✔️Board Positions: https://lnkd.in/g9hDZQRw

09/29/2026

🗳️ GRJC BOARD NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN!

Have you ever thought, “I’d love to be more involved in GRJC”?

Maybe it’s time to take that next step.

Nominations for the 2027 GRJC Board of Directors are officially open!

Serving on the Board is about more than adding another title to your résumé. It’s an opportunity to lead, build real leadership experience, use your strengths, grow your network, and help shape the future of GRJC.

And you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to step up and contribute.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Nominate them!

📅 Nominations are open through November 1.

👉 Head to the link below to submit a nomination or learn more about the Board positions.
✔️Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3o8n_11cWkVKMK7s2h2fTC2594ZOYmP5eR_WFrYp82hj2oA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117316065177206390124
✔️Board Positions: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGTNFqzfV8/GJ3bYBWiIOmCgOwUUW6-PQ/edit?utm_content=DAGTNFqzfV8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

GRJC is what we make it. Be part of what comes next.

09/28/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Brandon Diller, GRJC Past President and longtime member, on being elected 2027 President of JCI Michigan!

Brandon has been a huge part of the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber, and we’re excited to see him take his leadership to the state level.

His Beyond Belonging campaign centered around three simple but powerful words:

BELONG. BECOME. BUILD.

That vision is about creating an organization where people can find their place, discover what they’re capable of, and turn that potential into action.

We’re proud to call Brandon one of our own and cannot wait to see what he accomplishes in 2027.

Congratulations, Brandon! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

09/25/2026

🎨 Last night’s social at the GRAM was one for the books!🍻🎨

We kicked things off with happy hour at Twisted Tap before heading over to GRAM for an evening of art, conversation, and connection.

No presentations. No agenda. Just GRJC people showing up, meeting someone new, catching up, and enjoying time together outside of our usual events.

This is what building the GRJC community looks like. We create the community we want to be part of by showing up, making connections, and making space for people to belong.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a great night! And a big thank you to Twisted Tap Distillery and GRAM for helping us make it happen.

Don’t miss our next social next week—Morning Momentum!
📅 Thursday, October 1 | 8:00 AM
📍 Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.

Come grab a cup of coffee, connect with the GRJC community, and start your morning with us!

https://www.grjuniorchamber.com/event-details-registration/morning-momentum-3

More connection. More community. One step further.

06/15/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up for our June Leadership Exchange!

It was incredible to hear from Dr. Michael Fossel, chairman of the board at Telocyte, a pioneering biotech company working toward telomerase therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fossel’s invited lecture at Harvard Business School, “How to Guarantee Failure,” provided a candid and insightful look at the realities of leadership.

Dr. Fossel challenged us to rethink success, sharing hard-won lessons about navigating setbacks, the importance of resilience, and the pitfalls – from ego and infighting to losing sight of your goals and ignoring compliance – that can derail even the most promising ventures.

Dr. Fossel’s experience infused our discussion with honesty and encouragement, reminding us that meaningful breakthroughs often demand grit, insight, and humility.

At the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber, we remain committed to fostering conversations that stretch our thinking and empower us to become resilient, discerning leaders!

Join us for our next LE in July: www.grjuniorchamber.com

06/11/2026

Today is the day! Join us for our June Leadership Exchange!

Join us for our June Leadership Exchange on June 11th, with guest speaker Michael Fossel, MD, PhD.

Dr. Fossel serves as chairman of the board of Telocyte, a biotech company developing telomerase therapy for Alzheimer's disease, with FDA-sponsored human trials planned to target the underlying disease process. His invited lecture at Harvard Business School discussed Telocyte, age-related disease, and biotechnology.

We hope to see you there!

Register here:https://www.grjuniorchamber.com/event-details-registration/june-monthly-leadership-exchange-save-the-date

06/10/2026

What a day! 🔥

The Grand Rapids Junior Chamber was proud to be part of today’s West Michigan Intern Connect hosted by Hello West Michigan and The Right Place!

A huge thank you to VP Kyle Perry and Director Noah Dockery for representing GRJC at our table throughout the event, connecting with interns and young professionals, sharing the value of membership, and showcasing the many ways to get involved in our organization.

We were also excited to have GRJC President Celeste Ross facilitate a Networking 101 session, helping attendees build confidence, make meaningful connections, and develop skills they can use throughout their careers.

To all of the interns we met today: We hope you’ll continue the journey with us!

🎉 Attended Intern Connect?
➡️ Use code INTERN26 for a discounted ticket to tomorrow’s Leadership Exchange.
➡️ Have your GRJC application fee waived when you join the organization.

The future of West Michigan is bright, and after spending today with so many talented, driven young professionals, we’re more energized than ever about the next generation of leaders. Thank you again to Karen George and Tarita Johnson for having us out to continue to build leaders in our great community.

We’ll see many of you tomorrow at Leadership Exchange! 🚀

06/09/2026

Join us this Thursday!

Join us for our June Leadership Exchange on June 11th, with guest speaker Michael Fossel, MD, PhD.

Dr. Fossel serves as chairman of the board of Telocyte, a biotech company developing telomerase therapy for Alzheimer's disease, with FDA-sponsored human trials planned to target the underlying disease process. His invited lecture at Harvard Business School discussed Telocyte, age-related disease, and biotechnology.

We hope to see you there!

Register here:https://www.grjuniorchamber.com/event-details-registration/june-monthly-leadership-exchange-save-the-date