Every year, Kalamazoo RESA selects a business and industry champion that has gone above and beyond as a partner to invest in student success. This year, in addition to the 76 students being honored during the 36th annual Outstanding Senior Awards, Stryker was honored as the 2022 CTE Outstanding Business & Industry Award recipient, with special recognition to Demecia LaBarre, Program Manager, DE & I Talent Acquisition Initiatives. 

“High-quality business and industry partnerships are the linchpins of effective career and talent development programming,” said Sarah Mansberger, KRESA’s Executive Director of Workforce & Community Initiatives. “This year, we are thrilled to honor Stryker’s many investments in the success of students in Kalamazoo County. From tours, to hiring events, to committee service and much more, the range and depth of Stryker’s engagement this year has been truly remarkable.”

Throughout the 2021-22 school year, Stryker employees have generously volunteered their time and resources to engage with many of KRESA’s programs, initiatives and students. The company has facilitated Career Awareness and Exploration experiences, conducted facility tours, assisted with county-wide events and programming, including MiCareerQuestSW, and more.

Stryker team members have also served on KRESA’s CTE Steering Committee and participated in the course selection and curriculum design processes during the ongoing redesign of the county’s CTE system. In addition, Stryker participated alongside KRESA in the YES (Young, Employed, Successful) Project, a project of America’s Promise Alliance, facilitated locally by Kalamazoo Youth Development Network, to improve belonging in the workplace for young adults of color.

Congratulations and sincere gratitude to Stryker for their collaboration and many contributions to Kalamazoo RESA's programs and initiatives.