In our “Stakeholder Board Spotlight” series, we get to hear stories from our Stakeholder Board members across Michigan’s food system, including what sparked their career path and their thoughts on Michigan Good Food Fund’s next chapter. Next up is Michigan Good Food Fund Stakeholder Board Member Ana Jose.
Ana Jose
Director of Business Development, Western Region, Michigan Women Forward
In her previous position as Program Manager for the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jose connected Hispanic entrepreneurs with opportunities and resources to help their businesses grow. Now, in her newly created role of Business Development Director at Michigan Women Forward, a women’s community development organization, Jose expands her job duties and her outreach to all women in West Michigan who seek money and other business assistance to begin or cultivate their own enterprises.
Her advocacy has gained her recognition, such as serving as a board member for the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan and the City of Grand Rapids, Grandville/South Division Corridor, Chair of C4 (Community Collaboration on Climate Change), acting treasurer for the Latina Network of West Michigan, and as a Committee Member for the Goal 4 Alliance.
“For the past how many years, the communities have stayed [economically] below middle class. Once we have deployed financial assistance, we’re helping those communities grow. We’re helping to eliminate poverty in those communities.”
— Ana Jose