Jamon Alexander
Maxine Gray
Brian Parks
Brian was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Grand Valley State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics in 2008. Brian began his career as a commercial credit analyst for Mercantile Bank of Michigan then transitioned to Herman Miller in 2011 as a financial analyst and leader of the Black Inclusiveness Resource Team. He is continuing his education as a graduate student in Grand Valley State University’s MBA program. In the community, he volunteers as a trustee for Revolution Christian Ministries and participates on the Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge organizing committee. Brian joined the BL²END Board in January 2009.
Celeste Sánchez
Milinda Ysasi
Milinda Ysasi leads The SOURCE, their mission is to reduce employment barriers and create opportunities for mobility for employees that work for their partner organizations. The SOURCE began as an idea by local CEOs who wanted to retain talent in their companies and understood that talent is a differentiator for success. Their model works with the state of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, private caseworkers and employers by providing navigation and connection supports to employees. Milinda is one of the founding members of WorkLab Innovations – a national network organization that is leading the replication and scale of the “sustainable workforce model”.
Milinda joined The SOURCE in 2015 after an HR career in a variety of employment sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a B.B.A in management and marketing. Milinda completed the executive MBA at Michigan State University in 2019.
Milinda is a co-founder of the Latina Network of West Michigan, an organic collective focused on changing the Latina narrative in the region. Milinda is a current candidate for Grand Rapids City Commission and she served on the public safety board for the city. She has been recognized for her commitment and leadership with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Young Professional award, the GVSU Alumni Service award, GR Business Journal 40 under forty, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-GR DoGooder and Exemplary Executive awards and GR Business Journal 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan.