civic investor series
Meet civic investor Diana Sieger: Investing in inclusion
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 04-25-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Coursing through the veins of every individual is some sort of passion, something that makes getting up everyday just a little more inspiring. Civic investor Diana Seiger found that passion as a young girl while volunteering at an inner city...
Meet civic investor Jack Hoffman: Investing in a better city- through law
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-24-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Attorney Jack Hoffman may be most widely known for his public role in the ballot efforts with Decriminalize Grand Rapids (DCGR), including his public letter to the City Attorney that he published as a citizen journalist on The Rapidian. “The...
Meet civic investor Rachel Lee: Investing in neighborhood vibrancy
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-23-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Rachel Lee, director of the East Hills Council of Neighbors, loved living in East Hills, even 15 years ago when she moved back from an internship in New York City, having fallen in love with the vibrancy of a busy city environment. But while there,...
Meet civic investor Derek Coppess: Investing in community creation
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-22-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Derek Coppess wasn’t always interested in developing market rate apartments in downtown Grand Rapids. Before starting 616 Development and 616 Lofts, he had purchased over 200 duplexes as rental income and was living in Byron Center. “I...
Meet civic investor Steffanie Rosalez: Investing in the arts
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 04-21-2014 under VOICES
“If you don’t want to be a teacher, but you want to work with art and kids, you should look into after-school programming,” says Steffanie Rosalez, Cook Arts Center Program Director. After hearing this many times from family and...
Meet civic investor Rick Beerhorst: Investing in the city as muse
by (erictank)
Submitted 04-20-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Rick Beerhorst is a a local artist with deep roots in Grand Rapids. He grew up in Kentwood when much of what is now developed was still farmland. His flight to the urban core greatly influenced his artistic vision. "I started going out into the...
Meet civic investor Eric Bouwens: Investing in the city's health
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-19-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
Surrounded by 12 comfortable exam rooms, a procedure room for minor surgeries and a team of financial assistants to help patients navigate health funding and an on-site social worker, Dr. Eric Bouwens finds himself starting off Spectrum Health's...
Meet civic investor Ben Oliver: Investing in voice
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 04-18-2014 under VOICES
Prior to his move to Grand Rapids, civic investor Ben Oliver attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. “During my time there I was focused on getting good grades, developing my intellect and discovering myself and my personal...
Meet civic investor Carol Lautenbach: Investing in education, investing in community
by (Holly)
Submitted 04-17-2014 under NONPROFITS
“When I was in college I thought I was going to be a journalist. That’s what I aspired to,” says Carol Lautenbach, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Accountability at Godfrey-Lee Schools. “Even when my kids...
Meet civic investor Roberta King: Investing in passion
by (chelsiewyse)
Submitted 04-16-2014 under VOICES
Since its conception in 2009, The Rapidian has come to be "one of the boys" when it comes to local media. Civic investor Roberta King was a part of its launching process and remembers the early days fondly. "There were a lot of people...