OutPro

What does it look like to be yourself at work, and why does it matter?

Your Grand Rapids Chamber is proud to host a powerful and timely conversation with Jane Gietzen at our upcoming OutPro Forum, The Business of Belonging: A Journey to Authenticity. Together, we’ll explore how personal experiences shape leadership, team dynamics, and the way people show up at work.

Save your spot by registering here:

OutPro Forum: The Business of Belonging - Grand Rapids Chamber OutPro promotes a welcoming culture in the West Michigan community and offers social and professional networking opportunities.

Meet Chris Balletto (she/her), a trainer with more than 15 years of experience, including facilitating distance learning for groups of all sizes across multiple time zones and regions.

Chris currently serves on the Digital Services team at Corewell Health, supporting colleagues in strengthening their Microsoft skills through both classroom and web-based training. She also contributes to organizational culture by leading onboarding experiences and facilitating culture-shaping and leadership development courses.

In addition, Chris is a certified Cultural Intelligence trainer and collaborates closely with the organization’s Belonging team to deliver sessions such as Unconscious Bias and LGBTQIA+ 101.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys advocacy, hiking and exploring the world around her, and catering to the whims of her cats, Lily and Charlie.

She has served on the OutPro Council since January 2024, and we are so grateful to have Chris' voice and leadership at the table!

As conversations around identity and inclusion continue to evolve, creating space for authenticity at work matters more now than ever.

We're so excited to have Jane Gietzen kickoff our first OutPro Forum on April 22! Join us as Jane shares her personal story about navigating authenticity, leadership and belonging in the workplace. Together, we'll explore what it means to show up as your true self, and how we can build workplaces where everyone feels like they belong.

Register today! https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-4-22/

OutPro Council Spotlight: Charlee Vargas

Charlee has proudly served as an OutPro Council Member since 2024. She works as a Business Analyst at Fifth Third Bank and is the Co-Chair for the West Michigan LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group. In these roles, Charlee is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces and fostering a sense of belonging for all.

Her commitment to advocacy and community engagement drives her to make a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace. Charlee believes that visibility and representation matter—and she strives to lead with authenticity and purpose.

In her free time, Charlee enjoys reading, diving into new video games, finding creative outlets and spending quality time with her wife and their dog.

Thank you, Charlee, for helping move this work forward with intention and heart!

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 🌈

Hear from Rick Baker, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber, as he shares how OutPro began and the impact it has today for LGBTQIA+ professionals in West Michigan.

Come connect, grow your network, and be part of an inclusive future 💼✨

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐
𝟏𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐀.𝐌. – 𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐏.𝐌.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

🔗 https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-2025-10-22/

On August 5, the OutPro Celebration brought LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, professionals, and allies together for a night of connection and pride. 🌈

The message was clear: when we build inclusive spaces, everyone wins.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We can’t wait to see you at the next OutPro event in October!

https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-2025-10-22/

OutPro Council Spotlight: Wayne Bersano 🌈 🌟

Wayne has been part of the OutPro Council since 2021 and currently serves as Chair and Engagement Committee Lead. A proud Ferris State grad and Financial Relationship Banker at Huntington Bank, Wayne is passionate about building inclusive communities.

He also leads Huntington’s West Michigan Pride Alliance and serves on several local boards. In his free time, you’ll find him reading, on the water, or with his dog, Luna 🐾

We're proud to have Wayne helping create a Grand Rapids where everyone feels they belong.

Join us for The Business of Belonging, a celebration of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders shaping West Michigan’s economy. 🌈

Enjoy inspiring stories, meaningful connections, a live DJ, and photo booth fun as we honor the power of belonging in business. ✨

Don’t miss this OutPro celebration with the Grand Rapids Chamber!

Register Today: https://grandrapids.org/event/outpro-forum-2025-08-05/

𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧 🌈

Meet Jeffrey Sorensen, Immediate Past Chair of the OutPro Executive Committee and current lead of the Events & Education Committee!

Jeffrey is a proud Yooper and GVSU grad with a strong background in LGBTQ+ advocacy and DEIB. He was the first Executive Director of Out On The Lakeshore, where he helped pass a landmark non-discrimination ordinance and earned a Social Justice Award. ✋🌊

By day, he’s a Branch Manager at Lake Michigan Credit Union and serves as Communications Chair for LMCU’s DEIB Council. In his free time, he enjoys running, rock climbing, and spending time with his two dogs and cat.

We’re grateful for Jeffrey’s leadership and passion for positive change! 👏

🌈 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

Join OutPro and the Grand Rapids Chamber for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, an evening of inspiration, connection and celebration of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and professionals shaping West Michigan’s future. 💼✨

Let’s build a more inclusive economy together.

🗓️ Tuesday, August 5

🏳️‍🌈 It’s Grand Rapids Pride Festival weekend and the perfect time to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ owned businesses that help make our city vibrant and welcoming

Grand Rapids welcomes all and is proud to be home to many LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. Check out this guide featuring local spots we think you’ll love 🌈

Locally Owned & Operated LGBTQIA+ Businesses to Check Out Inclusive businesses in the Grand Rapids area!