Moderated by

Skot Welch

Founder & President of Global Bridgebuilders

Gary Anderson

Past International Director, Lions Club & Owner of Anderson Eye Care

Michael Verhulst

Founder & Managing Partner V2

Lizzie Williams

Founder, All Seasons City Club

Why Joining Matters: Building Leaders, Business, and Community

Event Date: November 2, 2026 11:30am – 1:30pm
Event Location: International Ballroom, JW Marriott

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Corporate Table

Moderated by Skot Welch

Founder & President of Global Bridgebuilders

Skot is recognized as a leader in utilizing the principles of global quality standards for the development and implementation of sustainable, systematic and measurable diversity initiatives.

He has worked in the area of Diversity Management for nearly 20 years and his sought after in-depth knowledge of organizational diversity management systems development brings together and maximizes the perfect blend of people and process.

His client experience represents a wide range of industries such as: Aerospace, Municipalities, Offices of State and National Government, Healthcare Systems, Insurance Providers, Retail, Automotive, Churches, Educational Institutions, Telecommunications, Manufacturing and Financial Services.

Recently, Skot served as Vice President of Benchmarking Services and Analysis for DiversityInc magazine, where he was responsible for new industry development and best practices analysis of the Fortune 500.

Skot has his Bachelors Degree (B.A.) in Communications and his Masters in Management and International Marketing (M.M.).

About Gary Anderson

Past International Director,
Owner of Anderson Eye Care

Dr. Gary Anderson, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 93rd International Convention, held in Sydney, Australia, June 28 through July 2, 2010.

Past Director Dr. Anderson is a retired Doctor of Optometry, having been in private practice in Grand Rapids, Anderson Eye Care, for 45 years.

A member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club since 1979, he has held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor and council chairperson. He also served as host committee chairman of the 2007 USA/Canada Forum in Grand Rapids, a member of the USA/Canada Forum planning committee 8 years, culminating in being the General Chairperson for the 2016 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Omaha. Past Director Anderson was a DGE Group leader at the International Conventions in Hamburg and Montreal and has led or participated in 45 Lions vision missions to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Kenya, Suriname, Uzbekistan, Morocco and India. PID Anderson is also a board member of Lions KidSight USA and served as a Board Appointee 2021-2022 for LCI President Douglas X. Alexander.

In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous awards including the Henry Voet Grand Rapids Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lions of Michigan Foundation Humanitarian Award, the Grandville and Betty Cutler Leadership Award, the S.A. Dodge MD-11 Distinguished Service Award, the Lions of Michigan Hall of Fame, one International President’s Leadership Award, ten International President’s Medals and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and a Major Donor for Campaign 100.

In addition to his Lions activities, Past Director Anderson is active in numerous professional and community organizations, including the American Optometric Association, the Michigan Optometric Association. AYSO Chief Coach and Georgetown Little League baseball and softball coach. He has also served as a member of the Michigan Eye Bank board and as Board President of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids.

Past Director Anderson and his wife, District Governor Cheryl, also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, have one son and two daughters, all of whom are Lions and whose spouses are Lions. They have three grandsons and four granddaughters.

About Michael Verhulst

Founder & Managing Partner V2

Michael brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience spanning commercial construction, real estate, the landscape industry, and strategic business development. As the leader of Spesh Construction, he is focused on driving growth, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful impact within the communities the company serves.

Throughout his career, Michael has held key leadership roles with a global fintech and insurance company, two national construction firms, and multiple entrepreneurial ventures. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he brings a unique combination of strategic vision, operational leadership, and hands-on industry expertise to his work.

Over the course of his career, Michael has been instrumental in procuring more than $1B in commercial construction projects. Beyond his professional leadership, he remains deeply committed to serving the state of Michigan through active involvement on numerous boards and organizations, where he champions economic development, the arts, and public infrastructure.

Michael’s leadership reflects a commitment to God, family, building strong businesses, strengthening communities, and creating lasting opportunities throughout Michigan.

About Lizzie Williams

Founder, All Seasons City Club

Lizzie Williams is a self-described localist and the founder of All Seasons City Club, a membership organization that helps people build friendships while discovering the best of Grand Rapids.

The idea for All Seasons City Club grew from years of joining clubs herself – from the Spartan Ski Club at Michigan State, to a Polish Hall on Grand Rapids’ west side, to an unofficial scotch club, to the Grand Rapids Economics Club. Each one reinforced her belief that some of life’s best opportunities begin simply by showing up.

Her background is in communications, marketing, and leadership development, with the bulk of her career spent at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and OST. Today, she focuses on growing All Seasons City Club, consulting with a handful of organizations, and serving as Chair of the Creston Corridor Improvement Authority and as a board member for the YWCA West Central Michigan and Public Thread.

Lizzie lives in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood with her husband, two daughters, and two stepsons. She’s always in search of a hidden gem, a good game of cribbage, or a reason to get people together!

Skot Welch, Gary Anderson, Michael Verhulst, Lizzie Williams