Serving as a GRCC Trustee is an honor.
Dear Voters and Kent County Residents:
Representing a major employer in this community – Steelcase – I understand that we need to insure that our public educational institutions are able to deliver our future work force. Our community college plays a unique role among at the rich variety of colleges and universities in our area: we are a bridge for many, either to one of those other institutions or to a better job. We serve as the most affordable way for thousands to achieve their dreams.
Personally,I am a product of public institutions. I neither had the grades or the financial support to go directly to another institution. I know the important need GRCC fills for students financially as well as personally and academically. I have also worked with many non-traditional students over 15 years as an adjunct and know that we can really make a difference for that population.
I have demonstrated my commitment to local education over the last 30 years as a volunteer leader, adjunct faculty member and volunteer speaker. As you read through my life’s experience below, please remember the following: having served as a GRCC Trustee since 2013, I have come to appreciate how vital this particular board is to the success of the entire community. I’m asking for your support so that I continue to serve as your GRCC Trustee.
-Deb Bailey, GRCC Trustee
Education
Master in Management, Aquinas College
Master of Arts in Counseling, Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts, Communications, English and Secondary Education,
Extensive classes for transfer from Grand Rapids Community College
Professional Experience
Steelcase, Inc. 2000-Present
Director of Global Corporate Relations 2010-Present
Responsible for local community relations and government affairs in the communities where our major facilities are located globally. Insuring that our corporate investments contribute to creating a thriving business environment which also includes supporting business, education, health care and social service organizations. Lead all volunteer and employee engagement strategies and activities.
Director of Global Corporate Communications, 2000-2010
Senior Communications Executive reporting to CAO. Direct all corporate, public relations, investor relations communications, CEO communications, community relations communications, Steelcase Foundation annual reporting and employee communication.
Contributed to all major change initiatives and the transitioning of a North American function to a global resource.
Custer Office Environments 1998-2000, Senior Consultant
Developed a consulting practice that contracted with current and new clients to engage in developing strategies to better utilize their current or new facilities as a critical business tool. Services offered included; Facilities strategies development, culture change initiatives, internal communications development, employee involvement in change initiatives, development of orientation processes and on-going evaluation of facilities contribution to business results.
Herman Miller Inc. 1984-1998
Director of the Customer Experience
Direct all activities contributing to “The Customer Experience’. This included client visits, corporate jets, corporate facilities, trade shows, sale meetings, corporate marketing efforts and internal advocate for creating an atmosphere of external focus, service, and responsiveness for all clients/VIP’s to the Corporate facilities (10) and NA regional offices and showrooms (18). Served as a presenter internally and externally on topics of value to the client, which included: corporate culture, managing change, evolutionary work processes, facility strategy and design.
Director of Compensation and Benefits
Responsible for total compensation and benefit delivery and design for 7,000 employees worldwide. This included expatriate assignments. Initiated major innovative benefits plan design and implementation to move employees from a position of entitlement to self-sufficiency. Recommended and implemented changes to the benefits offering that more accurately reflected the needs of a diverse work force. Developed and implemented a market and competency based compensation and development system for all employees. This model was recognized for innovation at the national level and was featured in several compensation journals and presented at several national conferences.
Director of Learning and Development
Directed the sales, product, design and management development activities for the sales and distribution personnel for North America. Initiated the Herman Miller Institute, one of the first initiatives of its kind nationally for learning and development.
Manager of Corporate Relations
Managed the local community and government affairs for corporate, regional and subsidiary locations as well as all investor communications. Acted as the spokesperson for local and national media.
Manager of Training and Development
Managed the training function for employee orientation, product, industry and design for the health care subsidiary, Milcare.
Additional Employment History
Aquinas College
Director of the Career Development Center
Adjunct Faculty
Women’s Resource Center
Director of Counseling and Programs
The American School of Kuwait, State of Kuwait, Arabian Gulf
Faculty Member
Current Community Leadership Positions
Aquinas College Board of Trustees
GRCC Board of Trustees
St. Mary’s Hospital Doran Foundation Board Chair
Hospice of Michigan Foundation Board Member and Major Gifts Committee
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair of the Inclusion Council
Student Advancement Foundation Board Chair
Previous Community Leadership Positions
United Way of West Michigan, Board Chair
Aquinas College Board of Trustees, Executive Committee Member, Diversity Committee Chair, Enrollment Committee Chair, Presidential Search Committee Member
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Founder, Board Chairperson, Capital Campaign Chairperson
GRCC Foundation Board Member
City of Grand Rapids Parking Commissioner-Mayoral appointed position
Western Michigan University Foundation Board Member
East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Foundation Board Member, Chairperson School District Diversity Committee
Junior Leagues International, NYC, NY, International Board Member, Training Committee Chair
Junior League of Grand Rapids, Board President
YWCA, Board President, Chair of CEO Search Committee, Center of Women Capital Campaign
Grand Rapids Art Museum, Founder of Fund Raising Arts Group-Arts Alive
Michigan Women’s Foundation Board Member, Chair of State Wide Annual Recognition/Fundraising Event
Other Board Participation/Leadership
Junior Achievement, Direction Center of West Michigan, Leadership Grand Rapids,
Nokomis Foundation
Other activities:
Volunteer speaker at community events, as well as facilitator of training sessions on a variety of topics including: diversity initiatives, strategic planning, organizational development, team building and cultural change. Actively volunteer as a speaker for international adoption as a single mom that in 1989 adopted a child from Paraguay
Recognition Received
YWCA Tribute Award Winner for Community Service
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Athena Award-Selected as the Outstanding Woman in Business in the Greater Grand Rapids Area that has contributed to the development of women.
Herman Miller’s Outstanding Employee Award
Aquinas College Outstanding Alumni Award
Grand Rapids Business Journal: 25 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
2 For GRCC 