June 15, 2023 | DeVos Place | 6:00 pm
The Economic Club of Grand Rapids invites you to celebrate the 34th Annual Dinner on June 15, 2023, featuring Tom Brady.
Our guests will have the opportunity to hear the Seven-time World Champion Quarterback speak about his winning strategies on and off the field. His experience as a leader of winning teams at the highest competitive levels has honed his insights for entrepreneurs and corporations alike, and he challenges audiences to think several steps ahead, cultivate a growth mindset, and compete only with their own potential.
Featured Speaker
Tom Brady
Seven-Time World Champion Quarterback
On this special occasion, we will be honoring this year’s winners of our Business Person of the Year and Slykhouse Community Leadership Awards.
2023 Business Person of the Year Recipient
Tina Freese Decker
President & CEO, Corewell Health
2023 Slykhouse Community Leadership Recipient
Teresa Weatherall Neal
President & CEO, LEAD 616

Tom Brady
Guest of Honor
- Seven-time World Champion Quarterback
- Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
- Emmy Award-Winner (Man in the Arena)
Seven-time world champion Tom Brady is one of the most accomplished athletes of the past two decades. With 19 division titles and ten Super Bowl appearances, Brady’s accolades both on and off the field have inspired a generation of young athletes to pursue their greatest potential. Brady has won six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, as well as one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – more than any other quarterback in NFL history.
Tom’s off-the-field ventures include Autograph, a web3 brand pioneering a new era of digital experiences and a platform that brings together the most iconic brands and biggest names in sports, entertainment, fashion, and pop-culture to create unique digital collectibles; his namesake next generation apparel brand BRADY; TB12, a health and wellness brand that aims to share his proven TB12 method and holistic systematic approach to wellness; and 199 Productions, a global multi-platform production company developing original, premium content spanning documentary, feature film, television, and digital formats. Most recently, the company partnered with Paramount Pictures on the film, “80 for Brady,” which premiered February 3, and with ESPN, Disney, and Religion of Sports on a ten-episode multi-platform series titled “Man in the Arena,” which premiered November of 2021 and won the 2022 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Documentary Series.
Throughout his career, Brady has always prioritized the importance of philanthropy. He maintains long-standing relationships with a number of nonprofit organizations, including Make-A-Wish, which creates life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with a critical illness, and Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Brady’s achievements throughout his successful career include being honored with multiple ESPY Awards for ‘Best NFL Player,’ the Associated Press’ 2007 ‘Male Athlete of The Year,’ Sports Illustrated’s 2021 ‘Sportsman of the Year,’ Sporting News’ ‘Athlete of the Decade,’ Laureus’ 2022 ‘Sportsman of the Year,’ and being named to the NFL 100th Anniversary ‘All-Time Team,’ among others.

Doug DeVos
Moderator
Founder, Continuum Ventures
Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Amway
Doug is an advocate for real opportunity and freedom for all. He believes in a better tomorrow, where all people are free to pursue their own happiness and are empowered to strive for greatness. He inspires social entrepreneurship and believes in the potential and the power of individuals to create a movement of good.
Doug DeVos, along with his wife Maria, is Founder of Continuum Ventures–an investment company for The Doug & Maria DeVos Family. Continuum Ventures invests in business, community, and civic engagement to make a positive and meaningful difference for people and communities.
Doug is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for Amway, the world’s largest direct selling company with more than $8 billion in revenue. He previously served as President of Amway for more than 16 years. DeVos joined Amway in 1986 and served in various leadership positions for Amway in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
DeVos’ focus on fostering entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for people around the world to start a business of their own has been a lifelong passion for him. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce appointed DeVos to the U.S.-India CEO Forum. DeVos has also served as an industry leader in numerous roles including Chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (2014-2017) and Chairman of the U.S. Direct Selling Association (2003-2004). He has been inducted into the U.S. Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame and been recognized with the Direct Selling Education Foundation’s Circle of Honor award.
Beyond Amway, DeVos is Chairman – Frederick Douglass Society and leads the Ambassador Network for Stand Together, an organization committed to helping people realize their potential by addressing society’s biggest challenges.
DeVos also chairs the Executive Committee for the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and is involved in numerous Michigan business and civic organizations, including the Business Leaders for Michigan, West Michigan Policy Forum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and in particular, their own personal Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University where he was a quarterback for the Purdue football team.
Tina Freese Decker is president and CEO of Corewell Health™, a leading integrated health system that strives to provide simple, affordable, equitable and exceptional care and coverage to millions of Michigan residents. She leads more than 60,000 colleagues who are passionate about the relentless pursuit of better health for their communities.
Known for her vision and drive, Tina was a key architect of the 2022 integration of Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health, which are now unified under the Corewell Health brand. Determined to tackle the health field’s greatest challenges, she inspires through innovation and collaboration to make health better for all. She leads from her heart in advancing a culture and developing people to achieve their fullest potential.
Business Person of the Year Award

Tina Freese Decker
President & CEO, Corewell Health
Tina brings more than 20 years of experience in integrated health systems to her role. Corewell Health is a $14 billion system comprised of the 22-hospital Corewell Health system and Priority Health, the third-largest provider-sponsored health plan in the country with more than one million members. The system’s integrated model of care and coverage provides a robust network serving urban, suburban and rural markets.
Tina’s career journey started in the admitting department of a community hospital in Iowa, continued with an administrative fellowship at Spectrum Health in 2002, and went on to include a variety of roles at Spectrum Health, including president of the system hospital group, chief strategy officer and chief operating officer. She was named President & CEO of Spectrum Health in 2018. She continues to drive significant, transformational change as President & CEO of Corewell Health.
Tina earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Iowa State University and graduated with a Master of Health Administration and Master of Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa.
Tina influences and shapes health policy, engages in advocacy, and builds strong relationships with decision makers across Michigan and beyond. She is a board member of the American Hospital Association, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Regional Partnership, The Gerald R. Ford Foundation, Healthcare Executives Study Society, Healthcare Institute and West Michigan Policy Forum; board chair of The Right Place; and past board chair of The Grand Rapids Economic Club and Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
Her most recent recognition includes Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare and Top 25 Women Leaders in Healthcare, Crain’s Detroit Business’ Top Newsmakers of the Year, MLive’s Women Who Shape the State and Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan.
Teresa Weatherall Neal serves as the President and CEO of LEAD 616, a leadership development company. She provides consulting services for organizations in the areas of professional development, leadership coaching, group facilitation, strategic planning, organization audits, and community networking sessions. She serves as an instructor and coach for the Michigan Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. Teresa Weatherall Neal retired as the Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent (January 2012 – June 30, 2019). Teresa served the GRPS district for 43 years, in a variety of positions. Prior to becoming the Superintendent of GRPS, she served as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet for 12 years. She is dedicated to enhancing and empowering members of the educational communities and its stakeholders.
Slykhouse Community Leadership Award

Teresa Weatherall Neal
President & CEO, LEAD 616
Teresa has received two Honorary Doctoral Degrees for her leadership in education, one from Grand Valley State University and one from Ferris State University, Master of Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University and an Associate Degree from Grand Rapids Community College. She has a certification in Superintendent’s Leadership Academy, extensive course work and educational sessions with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, Adaptive Leadership with Cambridge Leadership Development and Institute for Learning through the University of Pittsburgh.
Teresa is very active in her community and has a deep love for the City of Grand Rapids. As a life-long Grand Rapidian, Teresa is dedicated to seeing The City and its people prosper. Although she is retired, she has not slowed down. She spends several hours per week serving on various boards including Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, President Gerald R. Ford Foundation, Van Andel Institute Education Board, Black Impact Collaborative, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Grand Action 2.0. She enjoys being a servant leader and has helped develop several community collaboratives such as Opportunity For All.
Teresa understands that building and maintaining relationships is imperative; many hands make light work. Establishing networks, creating opportunities and providing access for everyone, and opening the door for the next generation of leaders is part of her calling. Teresa believes that everyone’s duty is to be a change-agent and lift up the community. Her passion for children is unmatched and she will continue to dedicate her time and efforts to ensure that this community is the embodiment of greatness!
Thank You to Our 34th Annual Dinner Sponsors
Premier Sponsors
Leadership Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
Support Sponsors
Acrisure
AHC Hospitality
AON
BDO USA, LLP
Better Business Bureau Serving West Michigan
BISSELL Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
BMO Commercial Banking
Bredeweg & Zylstra PLC
Brooks Capital Management
Calvin University
CBRE
The Christman Company
Consumers Credit Union
Comerica Bank
The CPA GROUP, PC
Crowe LLP
Custer
Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation
Davenport University
Deloitte
DISHER
Eastern Floral
Experience Grand Rapids
EY
Ferris State University
First National Bank of Michigan
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids New Car Dealer Association
Granger Group
Greenville Asset Management
Hope Network
HR Collaborative
Independent Bank
ITC
Joan Secchia
J.P.Morgan Private Bank
Kamps Inc.
Klingman’s Furniture & Design
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Legacy Trust
Macatawa Bank
Metal Flow Corporation
Northern Trust
Orion Construction
Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
Pioneer Construction
Plante Moran
Plante Moran Financial Advisors
PNC Bank
Priority Health
Rehmann
Sears Architects
Seyferth PR
Sharpe Cars
Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
Spartan Graphics
Tekton, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc.
TowerPinkster
Towner Lund Howell Sharp & Associates of Merrill
Trinity Health
Truscott Rossman
Varnum LLP
Via Design
Visbeen Architects
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Waséyabek Development Company
Wells Fargo Bank
West Michigan Community Bank
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Wolverine Building Group
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Past Annual Dinner Speakers
2019 – Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to United Nations, 2017-19
2018 – Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, 2006-2011
2017 – David Cameron, Prime Minister, UK, 2010-16
2016 – Ben Bernanke, Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve, 2006-14
2015 – Derek Jeter, Legendary NY Yankee & Journalist, George Will
2014 – Richard Branson, Founder & Chairman, Virgin Group
2013 – Hillary Rodham Clinton, 67th Secretary of State
2012 – Tony Blair, Prime Minister, UK, 1997-07
2011 – Madeleine Albright, 64th Secretary of State & Gen. Colin L. Powell, 65th Secretary of State
2010 – George W. Bush, 43rd President, United States
2008 – Tom Brokaw, Retired NBC News Anchor
2007 – William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President, United States
2006 – Bono, Co-Founder of DATA and Lead singer of U2
2005 – General Colin L. Powell, 65th Secretary of State
2004 – Madeleine Albright, 64th Secretary of State
2003 – Her Majesty Queen Noor, Queen of Jordan
2002 – Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988-96
2001 – Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1986-16
2000 – F.W. DeKlerk, President of South Africa, 1989-94
1998 – Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, 1981-85
1997 – Shimon Peres, Prime Minister of Israel, 2007-14
1996 – Stephen R. Covey, Author, and Lecturer
1995 – Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House, 1995-99
1994 – Gen. Colin L. Powell, Chair, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1989-93
1993 – James A. Baker III, 61st Secretary of State
1992 – Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 4-Star General, U.S. Army
1991 – Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister, UK, 1979-1990
1990 – George F. Will, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist
1989 – Paul Erdman, Novelist, Economist
1988 – Mark Shields, Political Analyst
