May is a month for making connections and celebrating extraordinary female leaders across the state. Join us for our 2025 WomanUp & Celebrate events in Southeast Michigan on May 7 or West Michigan on May 20. Find out who’s being recognized this year, mark your calendars and get your tickets TODAY!
Our 2025 Woman of Achievement & Courage Honorees
Denise Brooks-Williams
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Henry Ford Health
Denise Brooks-Williams is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than three decades of leadership in hospital operations, system integration, and healthcare transformation. She oversees a $12 billion health system, 13 hospitals, over 550 care sites, and 50,000 employees, ensuring operational excellence while advancing healthcare accessibility, financial sustainability, and patient-centered innovation.
Ronia Kruse
Founder and CEO of OpTech, LLC and OpTech Solutions
Ronia Kruse is the founder and CEO of OpTech, LLC and OpTech Solutions, a talent management and solutions firm providing services to Fortune 1000 and government clients. She is a dynamic executive who leverages her background as a successful entrepreneur in workforce solutions.
Jenna Arcidiacono
Chef-Owner of Amore Trattoria & Founder of Food Hugs
Jenna’s first job was slinging chili dogs and root beer floats at Cook’s Drive-In in Kentwood. Now, she’s the dynamic chef-owner of Amore Trattoria Italiana. During COVID Jenna started Food Hugs feeding frontline workers during the COVID pandemic.
Holly Johnson
President of the Frey Foundation
As President of the Frey Foundation, Holly oversees a program that awards roughly $6 million annually. Before joining Team Frey, Holly served as President of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Her leadership journey started at Heart of West Michigan United Way.
Dr. Candace Smith-King
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Designated Institutional Official at Corewell Health
At Corewell Health in West Michigan, Dr. Smith-King oversees the accreditation and educational environment for 37 fellowship and residency programs. She also supervises residents at the Academic General Pediatric Clinic and provides clinical care at the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic.
