Lakeshore Advantage Welcomes New Director of Talent, Advancing Regional Workforce Strategy
HOLLAND, Mich.— Lakeshore Advantage is proud to announce the appointment of Kelly Wandel as its new Director of Talent Initiatives. The new position for Lakeshore Advantage marks a significant step forward in executing the organization’s five-year growth plan, Powering Our Future, and reinforces its commitment to ensuring West Michigan’s Lakeshore region is a business and talent magnet. Wandel brings 19 years of experience in workforce development, higher education leadership, and strategic partnerships. Most recently, she served as Strategic Partnership Manager at Davenport University, where she led cross-sector collaborations with healthcare systems, community colleges, and corporate partners to strengthen talent pipelines and career pathways. Her data-driven approach and proven success in growing enrollment and building employer aligned programs make her uniquely qualified to lead Lakeshore Advantage’s expanding talent initiatives.
“Kelly’s depth of experience and passion for developing talent ecosystems will be a tremendous asset to our organization and region,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “As we implement the Powering Our Future plan, her leadership will help drive initiatives that support our current and future workforce, ensuring our employers have access to the talent they need to grow.”
In her new role, Wandel will lead the region’s talent strategy, working to attract and retain emerging workers in high-demand positions. She will oversee advisory councils, elevate best practices, and build new collaborative programs to address workforce challenges and prepare the next generation of talent.
“I am excited to join Lakeshore Advantage at such a pivotal time for the business community,” expressed Wandel. “I look forward to collaborating with business and education leaders to develop innovative strategies that connect people to opportunities and strengthen our community’s economic future.”
Wandel’s new role underscores Lakeshore Advantage’s proactive approach to addressing workforce challenges as a critical component of its five-year plan. With talent availability cited as the number one barrier to business growth in the region, this role is central to ensuring West Michigan remains economically competitive for years to come. Wandel’s work will focus on the highest demand positions including engineering, skilled trades, industrial technicians and information technology.
