Empowering the Future: Young Women and the Workforce Event Inspires Local Students

March 10, 2025

High School Juniors and Seniors Gain Career Insights and Networking Skills at Chamber-Led Workshop Featuring Keynote Speaker Andrea Brimmer

The Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted its annual Young Women and the Workforce event on Friday, March 7th, at the Loose Senior Center in Linden. This dynamic workshop, chaired by Chelsea Mills, owner of Behind Your Design in Fenton, has been empowering young women since 2008. The event welcomed high school students from Fenton Area Public Schools, Lake Fenton Schools, and Linden Community Schools, providing them with valuable insights and strategies to help shape their future careers.

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Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to engage with Chelsea Mills and a team of ten accomplished facilitators, who guided them through networking strategies, interview techniques, and professional development tips—all essential tools for securing jobs, college placements, scholarships, and other key opportunities in life.

The highlight of the event was an inspiring keynote address by Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer at Ally Financial. Brimmer is widely recognized as one of the country’s most innovative and effective marketing leaders, having been named to the Forbes World’s Most Influential CMO list five times and inducted into the 2024 Forbes CMO Hall of Fame. She has also earned prestigious accolades such as 2024 She Runs It Women of the Year, 2023 Forbes Entrepreneurial CMO 50, 2023 Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, and the 2020 Adweek Brand Genius Award.


Brimmer grew up in the Detroit area and currently lives in Linden with her husband. She attended Michigan State University, where she played club soccer and spearheaded the process of starting the MSU Varsity Girls Soccer Team. She also played a key role in helping other Division 1 schools navigate the process of getting their varsity soccer teams approved.

Brimmer captivated the audience with her empowering message, emphasizing the importance of making a difference and embracing challenges. She encouraged students to “embrace the slop” when life gets messy, reassuring them that growth and change often emerge from life’s most unpredictable moments.

In addition to Brimmer’s keynote, the event featured an incredible lineup of facilitators who shared their expertise and mentorship with the students. These professionals, representing diverse industries and career paths, provided valuable guidance and firsthand insights to inspire the next generation of women in the workforce.

Lineup of Facilitators:

  1. Melinda Keway, Epic Machine - Presenting Sponsor
  2. Kiersten Brown, Operating Engineers 324 - Event Sponsor
  3. Chelse Caldwell, Financial Plus Credit Union - Event Sponsor
  4. Ashleigh Philburn, The State Bank - Sponsor
  5. Keri Burns, Serendipity Spa of Linden - Sponsor
  6. Shannon White, FUNchitecture
  7. Renae Deshaw, Advanced Physical Therapy
  8. Dawn Volz, Interiors By Bonnie
  9. Malorie Stephens, Michigan Army National Guard
  10. Dr. Nicole Stilson, Carousel of Hope Miniature Therapy Horses
  11. Ed Koledo, Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation - Brand Presenter


The event was a resounding success, leaving students motivated and better prepared for their future endeavors. The Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce remains committed to fostering these meaningful career connections and empowering young women with the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations.


For more information about Young Women and the Workforce or to get involved in future events, please contact the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce at www.fentonlindenchamber.com.

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