YWCA Women of Achievement 2024
Lifetime Achievement Award
Susan Brasseur
Susan is a dedicated communications professional with over 29 years of service at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). As the Senior Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and Professional Development, she has demonstrated excellence in program management, community engagement, and event coordination. Susan's leadership has been instrumental in the success of numerous high-profile events and initiatives, including the Detroit Lions Training Camp, USA Developmental soccer, CHL Memorial Cup, several Dow Global Conferences, State Robotics Competition, and numerous vaccination clinics during the pandemic. Her commitment to excellence, strategic planning expertise, and passion for fostering positive relationships have made her a respected leader in both higher education and the business community. Susan's dedication to service and making a lasting impact within her organization and community has earned her recognition and appreciation throughout her career.
Civic & Nonprofit
Marlana Cork
Marlana is a lifelong resident of Saginaw County. She is a graduate of Davenport University, where she received her Associates, Bachelors and Masters Degree with a dual major in Business Administration/Business Management. She also holds a Workforce Development certification as a Global Career Development Facilitator. Marlana is also a 2023 Graduate from the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Institute for Leaders, as well as 2023 Non-Profit Heart of the City Award Recipient.
Following her passion, over the last 18 years, Marlana has served in several capacities in Workforce Development and convening community partners across the Great Lakes Bay Region. She is currently employed with the Bay Area Community Foundation, as the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Marlana is also very active with her church (Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church); sorority (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.), Serves as a board member for Saginaw STEM and the Saginaw Community Action Center, and volunteers with the Great Lakes Bay Health Centers.
Marlana and her husband Charles have been married for 21 years; they have three sons - Trenton Sr., Charles II, and Caleb, and one grandson Trenton Jr.
Arts & Education
Dr. Nikita Murry
Dr. Nikita Murry is a well-regarded advocate, communicator, and bridge-builder. Currently, Dr. Murry oversees diversity education for the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Central Michigan University, where she supports institutional efforts toward building culturally inclusive experiences for internal and external constituencies.
As a mental health professional, Dr. Murry provides supervision and professional coaching for beginning counselors. Among her specializations in professional counseling are trauma-informed services, holistic wellness and BIPOC gender identity development. She also focuses on issues of inclusion and identity as part of her interest in multiculturalism and equity. In her spare time, she also runs a non-profit called The Go BACK Project, which is based on Building Academically Competent Kids through volunteerism and advocacy. She works with families of color on developing healthy relationships using best practices in mental health and restorative justice principles. Overall, she has served as a grassroots advocate for women and children for more than 30 years. Likewise, she is an ally for individuals who represent voices that are repeatedly marginalized.
Dr. Murry holds a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in Professional and School Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. She is a proud member of Faith Ministries Church in Midland and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Healthcare
Lindsay Zeeb
Dr. Lindsay Zeeb is a fellowship-trained and board-certified breast imaging radiologist with over a decade of experience in the field. She graduated with honors both from Grand Valley State University in 2002 and Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2006. She then completed a radiology residency and served as chief resident at the University of Vermont. Dr. Zeeb further specialized in breast imaging through a fellowship at Michigan Medicine in 2012.
Since then, she has been a vital member of the team at MyMichigan Health in Midland Michigan by serving as the medical director at the Center for Women’s Health and now for Breast Health Services at the Pardee Cancer and Wellness Center. In her role, Dr. Zeeb focuses on the early detection of breast cancer through interpreting mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs. She is skilled in performing breast imaging guided biopsies and procedures. Throughout her tenure, she has served in various leadership roles and currently holds the position of Chief of Staff on the Medical Executive Committee.
Passionate about community outreach, Dr. Zeeb actively participates in events aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer and promoting early detection. Her commitment to high-quality patient care makes her a respected figure in the field of breast imaging.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Amberlyn Hales-Varadi
Amberlyn was born in Bay City, is a mother of 5 children, and a local entrepreneur. She comes from 5 generations of historical reenactors. She is a Central Michigan University Alumni with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and is in process of completing a doctorate. She work as a business consultant at the Small Business Development Center and helps small businesses establish themselves in our community. Amberlyn has also opened 4 businesses herself in the Great Lakes Bay Region, with a focus on bringing unique experiences to this area, including MI Table in Downtown Bay City and Goose Tooth Co. in Downtown Saginaw. She believes in the revitalization and restoration of our Great Lakes Bay Region downtown communities and this is why she has invested herself and businesses here.
Social Justice & Advocacy
Brooke Beebe
Brooke is responsible for leading Hemlock Semiconductor’s stakeholder engagement functions, including government relations, communications, sustainability and community affairs. She focuses on advancing Hemlock’s mission to be the world’s preferred supplier of polysilicon and is proud to be part of a community-oriented, high-tech employer whose employees and products have a positive effect on the world. In addition to her responsibilities at HSC, she currently serves on the boards of the Midland Center for the Arts, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and Delta College Foundation.
Brooke joined HSC in 2017 to stand up and lead the public affairs function and her role expanded as the company’s priorities evolved. Prior to joining HSC, Brooke served as government affairs director for Dow Chemical, leading its U.S. state government affairs team. She began her career in Washington, DC in the nonprofit sector and then corporate federal government relations. While working in Washington, DC she earned her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School as an evening law student.
Brooke and her husband, Adam, are raising their boys in the Great Lakes Bay Region and call Midland home. They love golfing together as a family in the summer and traveling for hockey in the winter.