President & CEO, Wedgwood Christian Services
Best Supporting Man
Throughout his career, Dan Gowdy has demonstrated his intent to promote diversity, advocate for equality and elevate strong talent and good character in the workplace. He firmly believes in leveraging his organization’s strengths, passions and wisdom to provide transformational services to youth and families throughout West Michigan.
At Wedgwood, Gowdy has initiated an ongoing leadership development program and helped establish an Employee Development fund to provide employees financial assistance to continue their education. Previously, Dan spent 24 years at Hope Network where he led successful grassroots legislative advocacy efforts for autism funding, prison reform, created an agency-wide training program for 2,700 staff, and led efforts to create a Diversity Council. Gowdy, who’s a Native American and Citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, holds a bachelor of theology and a doctorate in organizational leadership. He’s also a husband, father and “Pops” to a strong little granddaughter.
This recognition, Gowdy explains, represents the hundreds of strong, capable women he’s had the privilege and honor to work with. “In all honesty, they were strong and capable without me,” Gowdy says. “I’ve simply had the opportunity to support them and work alongside them for a part of their journey.”
Dan Gowdy
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2024
From this issue
Kathleen B. Vogelsang, CFA, is a true believer in remembering where you come from. A first-generation college graduate and non-traditional student, she earned her MBA and CFA designation while raising three children and working full-time. “I started out from very humble beginnings, nothing came easy,” Vogelsang said. “I was the first one in my family to go to college and paid my own way through, starting with community college. I don't ever want to lose sight of who I am; I'm still just humble little me—no matter how many awards I get. [What matters] is who I am … someone who’s trying to do the right thing and be a good person.”
Shelley Irwin is the Host and Producer for The Shelley Irwin Show, a newsmagazine talk-show on the local NPR WGVU affiliate Monday through Friday. She also hosts several public affairs TV programs and is award-winning in her profession and beyond. Irwin also gives generously of her time, volunteering with various community organizations. In addition, she’s represented the U.S. in Long Distance Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships. Irwin is the fourth recipient of the West Michigan Woman Legacy of Brilliance Award, an honor created as part of the annual Brilliance Awards, which recognizes a woman who for years has given of herself, personally and professionally, to better the lives of those around her. We caught up with Irwin to get her perspective on her work and what advice she has for others.
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