Alison Christensen from Grand Valley State University Art Gallery was nominated by Joel Zwart who said, “Alison is passionate about connecting people and utilizing the arts as a tool for civic engagement in her work and community. She thrives in situations where she needs to understand and help departments around the university activate their space with artwork.”

Ashley Ross from Michigan Humanities was nominated by Lisa Craig Brisson who said, “Ashley has been an engaged, active member of the Michigan Museums Association throughout her career. She is always ready to lend and hand and is a staunch advocate for MMA. She recruits supporters, offers thoughtful advice, and is quick to offer help when the need arises.”

De'Andrea Matthews from Detroit Zoological Society was nominated by Amanda Hanlin who said, “De'Andrea is an incredible DEIA professional who brings thoughtful and innovative approaches to her role daily. Given the size of the DZS team, and the breadth of our campus, programming and guest experiences, De'Andrea is poised to create far-reaching positive community impacts through her work, and she is very well-deserving of this recognition.”

Dr. Cory Redman from Grand Rapids Public Museum was nominated by Sara Olson who said, “Dr. Cory Redman has been a driving force behind the museum's efforts to provide engaging and informative science exhibits and programs. Dr. Redman's passion for science is infectious, and he has inspired countless visitors to learn more about the natural world. Overall, Dr. Redman's dedication to science education and his commitment to supporting his colleagues make him a deserving recipient of the Colleague Champion award.”

Emily Sullivan from Edsel & Eleanor Ford House was nominated by Jason Dake who said, “With an Education Department in transition throughout 2022, Emily stepped up and guided us through a lot of big events and changes. She has continued to develop quality programs that engage diverse audiences, while collaborating with new and current staff on future plans. She's always willing to lend a hand without exception.”

Erin Crison from Grand Rapids Children's Museum was nominated by Maggie Lancaster who said, “Erin has worked tirelessly to not only get our organization through COVID but SUCCEED and PROSPER post (kind of) COVID. We had to let 95% of our team go and 5 of us went part time. Erin not only got paid part time, but then she took on the CFO position as well. As COO and CFO, she has led us out of debt and toward a very bright future that will provide hundreds of thousands of families each year an opportunity to learn, laugh, create memories and be a place of respite.”

Harry Smith from The Zekelman Holocaust Center was nominated by Jamie Wise who said, “Harry is a team-player who always volunteers to help others complete tasks and run programs. He has used his expertise in History to enrich the professional development of his colleagues and to build unique educational content for The HC’s visitors.”

Heather Lehman from Kalamazoo Valley Museum was nominated by Cody Cook who said, “Heather has excelled at interpreting the galleries to guests and providing engaging demonstrations and tours to students.  She is continually learning new skills and subjects outside her area of expertise to perform her position.     I would like to applaud Heather for her efforts at improving the museum's visitor accessibility with the creation of a sensory guide to the museum and a variety of social stories for the museum's permanent galleries and changing special exhibits.”

Jamal Dawson from Grand Rapids Children's Museum was nominated by Maggie Lancaster who said, “This month Jamal Dawson graduates from Grand Valley State University. He is the first in his family to graduate. He started working for our museum in 2016 as a work study student and has paid his entire college expenses by working at the museum. He first started as a Play Facilitator, then Floor Manager, then Guest Experience Manager Assistant to now a full-time employee as the Development and Administrative Assistant. Jamal is so loved and appreciated at our museum by everyone!”

Jamie Wise from The Zekelman Holocaust Center was nominated by Harry Smith who said, “It is because of Jamie's hard work that our organization is now a provider of state registered cultural sensitivity, Holocaust, and genocide prevention training for law enforcement officers throughout the state of Michigan as part of MCOLES. Through MCOLES, Jamie has already brought over 100 law enforcement officers to The Zekelman Holocaust Center. Jamie has also taken the lead on creating our ROTC workshops for military cadets including numerous university partnerships. In addition to her individual contributions to the output of our education department, Jamie is also a valued teammate and willing to lend assistance to any and all necessary or assigned tasks.”

Jen Peters from Troy Historical Society was nominated by Barbara Hubbard who said, “In a world where everything moves so fast, moments mean everything. Jen’s kind, hardworking, and dedicated moments have truly impacted not only the Troy Historic Village, but the entire surrounding community as well. I know I have learned a lot from her. Not to forget, I also got a vegan paczki out of her.     One of our updated Values is: “Treats all people with dignity and respect and strives to make buildings, artifacts, and programs accessible to all.” Jen embodies all of our values, but this is the one I’d like to recognize her for. Jen Peters is a Colleague Champion because she treats all people (even those who have been unkind to her) with dignity and respect and strives to make buildings, artifacts, and programs accessible to all.”

Karen Kreuze from Kalamazoo Valley Museum was nominated by Cody Cook who said, “Karen currently works as a Museum Interpreter, but has worked a variety of roles during her more than 15-year career at the KVM.  Whatever the job, Karen has always had a hand in educating guests and getting them to ask questions.  More recently, Karen has worked on creating the museum’s rain garden program to teach patrons about what is in the museum’s rain garden and why rain gardens are important.  Over the years, Karen has taught a large variety of demonstrations to students and given many tours, because she believes in the importance of educating others through entertaining hands-on experiences and getting people to think critically.”

Katie Gigliotti from Kids N Stuff Children's Museum, Albion was nominated by Michelle McClellan who said, “Katie is an articulate and persuasive advocate for museums, especially regarding accessibility. I worked with her directly when we were both employed at the Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson. Then, I was blown away by the collaborations and programming she had created for individuals with special needs (both youth and adults). Now Katie is the executive director of Kids N Stuff Children's Museum in Albion. I am thrilled for the sake of Michigan museums that she has such a role where she can continue to demonstrate the importance of museums in and for Michigan communities.”

Liz Pingtella from The Zekelman Holocaust Center was nominated by Gabriella Burman who said, “The Center's Annual Benefit is our largest fundraiser of the year and is choreographed to a tee. After the departure of the Events Director midstream, Liz, our Events Manager, rose to the occasion with aplomb, and did not miss a beat. She took over all aspects of the event and executed it flawlessly. She communicated with all vendors; was the point of contact for every department within the event venue; secured our keynote speaker Jon Meachem; arranged security, lodging and transportation for all VIPs; managed all staff and volunteer assignments; crafted the run of show; led internal and external meetings; established the texting mechanism by which we communicated with attendees. She earned the respect and admiration of her peers and senior staff, and the result was our most successful annual benefit to date, enjoyed by 1,200 attendees who felt the warmth of our institution in large part thank to Liz's tireless efforts.”

Liz Pingtella from The Zekelman Holocaust Center was also nominated by Katey Bierman-Clinton who said, “Liz planned, organized, and completely managed a 1000 person gala at a brand new-to-the organization venue almost singlehandedly after her direct supervisor, and only other person with experience managing events, left six months before and no replacement was found until after. She made it a moving, beautiful event, and has put her heart into every other event as well, and we at the HC are better for her being here.”

Mark Mulder from The Zekelman Holocaust Center was nominated by Katey Bierman-Clinton who said, “Mark is constantly working at ensuring the staff at the HC are fulfilled and engaged in their work, leading to many different collaborations between individuals and departments that would otherwise not have happened. He also works tirelessly to ensure that the senior staff members remember to show their gratitude to younger more junior members and that those younger/more junior staff members are recognized and lauded for their accomplishments. He's one of the reasons I've stayed at the HC for two years instead of moving on to other employment, and I know that he is that for other HC employees as well.”

Nathan Seeley from Frankenmuth Historical Association was nominated by Malcolm Cottle who said, “Nathan consistently goes above and beyond for the FHA. His role encompasses exhibitions, education, and events, and he does them all with a high degree of excellence. Nathan is currently captaining an enormous permanent exhibit renovation project which has included soliciting large sums of grant funds and other fundraising efforts to make it possible. His vision, leadership, and ambition has been very impressive and inspiring to work alongside. Nathan is a true joy to work with and deserves statewide recognition for his efforts.”

Nicole Webb from Grand Valley State University Art Gallery was nominated by Joel Zwart who said, “In addition to her duties, Nicole Webb continues to take on new tasks and challenges that benefit the Art Gallery team at Grand Valley State University and help us stay organized. Whether it's mastering the art of object photography, stepping in to manage our social media and student workers, or flying cross country to pack donations, she is always there for our team.”

Nicole Zeiler from Dennos Museum Center was nominated by Chelsie Niemi who said, “Nicole has done incredible work in the museum store over the last few years. She was a leader in getting us a new POS system and teaching our volunteers, as well as, launching our new store website. Additionally, she has worked very hard on making our largest event of the year, the Holiday Artist Market, the most successful it's ever been in nearly 30 years. She also quickly adapted during the pandemic to make that event happen all online! Lastly, she's working to build relationships with local and regional artists to feature in the store in a way that's equitable to emerging artists.”

Patti Montgomery Reinert from Michigan Maritime Museum was nominated by Ashley Deming who said, “Patti's dedication, devotion, and personal sacrifice to the Michigan Maritime Museum is extraordinary. She has an endless amount of patience and never stops working for the museum, ever. She has given all of herself to our ongoing Launching a Legacy capital campaign that has successfully raised nearly $8 million and counting for a massive expansion project of our campus. We have already completed Phase II which included the new 18,000 sq ft Maritime Heritage Center. She is remarkable and should be recognized for it.”

Renee Saba from Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood was nominated by Davina Kuh Jakobi who said, “Renee is an inspiration to her colleagues not only at the Ruth Mott Foundation, but in the fields of history and museums as well. Through the multifaceted approach of participant-led programming, community engagement, and working towards internal systemic changes, Renee has helped people in our community see how they are connected to and an important part of Flint’s history. In a city with many negative narratives garnering the most attention, residents can use the historic estate to shape new stories centered on a culturally diverse and engaged citizenry. Renee truly inspires her colleagues to do their best every day. Besides the projects that she instigates, Renee is a wonderful colleague and valuable teammate.”

Sharlet Alagia from Kalamazoo Valley Museum was nominated by Cody Cook who said, “Sharlet loves interacting with guests at our Wonder Media exhibit and discussing with guests the difference between facts and opinions.  On the floor she likes to find a variety of personal duties to keep herself busy throughout the day.  Since her hiring, Sharlet has been an exemplary role model for what other floor staff should be doing while on the floor.  For this reason, she often has new museum aides work with her and observe how she interacts with patrons.”