Answer: Doreen Bolhuis

Doreen Bolhuis, President/CEO of Gymco Inc., has joined forces with Suzann Foerster to empower leaders with her vast experience. Her success as an entrepreneur, speaker, board director, mentor, teacher & coach makes her uniquely poised to fill a growing need in our community. And her alliance with Suzann will allow her to offer invaluable insights & practical, applicable knowledge to women who have great leadership potential.

Bio.

Doreen has excelled as a leader in business & a pioneer in her industry. She developed a unique successful business model where none previously existed & at a time when female business owners were almost non-existent. Doreen’s development of Gymco’s business systems & high performing team attest to her leadership & business acumen. Gymco has been named Small Business of the Year by the G.R. Chamber of Commerce & honored as a Top Women Owned Business by the Grand Rapids Business Journal three times. Gymco has been on the list of “101 Best & Brightest Places to Work” five times by the Michigan Business & Professional Association. Doreen has been honored three times as a “50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan”, received the “Inner Circle” honor by Inforum of West Michigan, & the Pillar Award by the Women’s Resource Center.

Doreen’s community service includes The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Board of Directors, Inforum of West Michigan Council, the Huntington Bank Women’s Advisory Board, & more.

Doreen is a life-long athlete, embracing the lifestyle promoted in her work. Her favorite sports include running, paddle boarding, snow skiing, biking, gymnastics, tennis & yes, you guessed it – trick water skiing. Doreen enjoys a life-long appreciation of music & the arts. She plays the cello with the Kent Philharmonia Orchestra & the Ambiance Quartet. Oh & in her spare time, she is learning to ride a unicycle.

Praise.

“Doreen Bolhuis has been one of the most influential forces in my professional life.  Her energy, expertise, instinct, and acumen were instrumental in helping me get to the next level of my career.  Her ability to spot my potential, followed through with sound guidance, advice and knowledge took me from novice to veteran.  She is the consummate professional, and to this day, remains a trusted and dependable mentor.” 

 – Erin Melcher, Principal & Executive Director, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

“Being the owner of an event planning firm, and state president of a political organization is no easy feat. It has taken the right team, wisdom, insight and quite a lot of courage to hone and execute my leadership skills.  I have been fortunate to have Doreen Bolhuis as my mentor for the past five years. Through her mentoring and excellent example, I am learning to lead boldly, with confidence.  I have been able to produce better results that directly add to my bottom-line. That means more for my family, more for my community and achieving more of my goals and dreams.

 – Jessica Ann Tyson, President, Events by Jessica Ann

Huntington Bank and their Women’s Initiative work hard to support women in business.  And I appreciated the opportunity to be featured in their Spring Newsletter!