A Movement Built on Connection, Community & Collaboration
Rising Together is more than a photography project.
It is a living, breathing movement built on collaboration, confidence, and community — created to celebrate influential women and amplify the impact they are making across West Michigan and beyond.
What began as a vision to honor inspiring women has grown into something extraordinary:
a trusted platform where stories are elevated, voices are honored, and women rise — together.
Our Mission
Rising Together is a celebration of women who lead with courage, connection, and collaboration. We believe confidence expands when women support one another, not compete against one another. This event brings together remarkable women from all industries to build community, share stories, and lift each other up.
About the Event 2026
Rising Together: An Evening of Connection is intentional, welcoming, and inspiring — a gathering rooted in authentic conversation, meaningful relationships, and collective empowerment.
This isn’t a traditional formal presentation. You will experience:
• A curated environment built for connection
• Inspiring messages from women leaders
• Opportunities to meet honorees, sponsors, and community supporters
• A celebration of growth, resilience, and shared impact
Event Details:
📍 Noto’s Old World Italian Dining Grand Rapids
🗓 May 28, 2026
🕟 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Enjoy appetizers, a cash bar, inspiring speakers, and a fun raffle as part of the evening’s experience.
Update: 4/1/2026 SOLD OUT
Honorees Gallery
The Rising Together 2026 Gallery
Angie Schuster 
April Wells 
Ashley Troszok 
Betsy Fahlen-Alverio 
Cari wolters 
Cathy Jacobs 
Christina Santos 
Courtney Yarch 
Dawn Barber 
Deb Stanley 
Gail Wambach 
Jax Merritt 
Jennifer Koffman 
Jill Goote 
Kristal Heibel 
Leslie Fiorenzo 
Mary Jo Baweja 
Melanie Lockerby 
Melissa DeBruyn 
Sara Barco 
Beverly Constantine 
Catherine Brown 
Celeste Ross 
Erica Bacon 
Erin Lyon 
Hannah Campbell 
Dr. Hollie Schipper 
Michelle Dunaway 
Nisha McKenzie 
Pam Kryger 
Shannon Kolarik 
Sofia Galinetti 
Vonnie Woodrick
The Rising Together 2025 Gallery
Graci Harkema 
Jenna Arcidiacono 
Mary Gunther 
Holly Gort 
Michaela Majava 
Lisa Anderson 
Shelley Irwin 
Linsey Jones 
Julie Snelling 
Jessica Crosby 
Emily Croff 
Elisabeth Bartrom 
Christina VanDam 
Dr. Cathy Taig 
Brooke Aernouts 
Alicia James 
Kristen Freeland 
Katelynn Scott 
Kailey Ingraham 
Rebecca Cranmer 
Chelsea “Lucky” Lee 
Megan Tefft 
Alison Glowinski 
Julie Green 
Kelly Jo Paiz 
Kim Rantala 
Kristen Nitz 
Colleen Kondratek 
Eileen McNeil 
Erika Plunkett 
Maria Zambrano Curtis 
Paola Mendivil 
Valentina Addison 
Dr. Carrie Dennie 
Cynthia Pena 
Dawn Levian 
Gilma De LaCruz 
Jennifer Feuerstein 
Kristin Kendall 
Laura Armenta 
Sasha O’Dowd 
Stephanie Latrice 
Cassandra Clark 
Della Marie Levi 
Dr. Leah Williams 
Bri Luginbill 
Nia Jones 
Marie Lewis 
Jennifer Kok 
Linda Otterbridge
2026 Sponsors
Thank you to the businesses who believe in the Rising Together mission and make this evening possible.
Our Community Sponsors
“Navigating senior living options can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At CarePatrol, we believe every senior deserves a safer home and every family deserves peace of mind.
We pre-screen communities for care history and safety records, so you can choose with confidence. Our local, expert senior care advisory services are no cost to the families we serve.”
“Rainbow Restoration is a company built on integrity, service, and restoring what matters most — stepping in during some of life’s most stressful and unexpected moments with professionalism and care. That commitment to serving people well is exactly the kind of leadership we value and celebrate within this community.”
“Accurate Promotions helps businesses present a professional and consistent brand through custom apparel and promotional products. From screen printing and embroidery to branded merchandise, we simplify the process by serving as a single trusted partner rather than multiple vendors. Our team works closely with clients to find the right solutions that bring their vision to life while allowing them to focus on running their business. Accurate Promotions is proud to be celebrating 20 years of serving our clients and community..”
“Trusted since 1893, Commercial Bank delivers innovative solutions, exceptional service, and a full range of banking options to support customers every step of the way. With a strong commitment to community involvement and meaningful relationships, Commercial Bank is more than a bank—it’s a partner invested in building a brighter future. Because local matters.”
“Waxology is a self confident brand that reveals beautiful skin. We believe that beauty is much more than just your external appearance – Its how you feel about yourself. When you feel good about yourself you are unapologetically confident!”
“Bincy Sines, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and founder of Level Up Coaching, is dedicated to helping individuals and families gain clarity, confidence, and control over their financial future. Through practical, real-world strategies—including budgeting, debt management, goal setting, and long-term wealth building—she simplifies complex financial concepts and makes them approachable and actionable. With a focus on education, accountability, and mindset, Bincy empowers her clients to build sustainable habits, achieve financial independence, and create lasting generational wealth.”
Our Supporting Sponsors
“We trace our success as a company to the simple and enduring philosophy that aging is a gift. The wealth of knowledge and experience that comes with age is a gift to the individual & the family.”
“Shari Hooper’s work is rooted in relationship-centered financial planning—walking alongside individuals and families through both the expected and unexpected seasons of life.
Shari is deeply committed to helping her clients create clarity, confidence, and peace of mind in their financial decisions. She has a heart for supporting women navigating major life transitions, offering guidance that simplifies complexity while bringing direction and stability.
At its core, her work is about more than finances—it’s about serving people with care, intention, and integrity in the moments that matter most.“
“At Nourish Total Health, our mission is to guide and support the transformation of health and wellness for clients focused on gut health and lifestyle principles. We incorporates holistic, functional and conventional approaches to help clients unify mind-body-spirit, and connect with their authentic selves.”
Sponsor Opportunities
We still have select sponsorship opportunities available for businesses aligned with community impact and women’s empowerment.
Benefits Include:
• Brand visibility before and during the event
• Recognition in Rising Together materials
• Connection with community leaders and professionals
Interested in sponsorship opportunities?
Contact Heather Mahoney 📧 connect@heathermahoneyco.com
Who This Evening Is For
- Rising Together Honorees (past and present)
- Sponsors and community partners
- Women who believe in collaboration, confidence, and lifting others up
- Supporters who value meaningful connection and community impact
Why It Matters
Rising Together exists because of women who choose to support one another.
This evening is a continuation of that mission — a space where relationships deepen, new collaborations begin, and the collective power of women is celebrated.
It’s not just an event.
It’s a moment to pause, connect, and rise together.
Rising Together Coffee Table Book
2026 edition coming soon!
Explore Rising Together 2025 and meet the incredible women who shaped this movement:
👉Grab Your Copy of the 2025 Coffee Table Book
Grab your copy and celebrate the stories that connect us all. And since we’re just getting started, you might as well begin collecting them now. Rising Together 2026 is on the way! ✨
Thank you for being such an empowering community! Each nomination is an act of encouragement — and sometimes, that’s all it takes to remind a woman of her power.
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