GRWebDev Powered by LaFleur presents Rebooting Our Minds: A Panel Discussion

GRWebDev Powered by LaFleur presents
Rebooting Our Minds: A Panel Discussion
LaFleur Marketing (549 Ottawa Ave NW # 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Monday, November 24th 2025, 6pm - 8pm

LOCATION
LaFleur Marketing is located on the second floor at 549 Ottawa Ave. NW in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

PARKING
Paid street parking is available on Ottawa Avenue and other roads nearby. Street parking pricing and hours vary depending on location; details can be found on the City of Grand Rapids website.

DESCRIPTION
In an industry that moves at lightning speed, it’s easy for mental well-being to get lost in the chaos. As we plunge ever further into an age that is increasingly digital, how do we preserve our humanity and foster an environment of empathy, understanding, and genuine connection?

This month at GRWebDev, we’ll unpack a year of change with open and honest conversations about burnout, boundaries, and building a culture where innovation and wellness thrive together. Join us at 6pm on Monday, November 24th for our year end wrap-up panel focusing on mental health.

OUR PANEL
Omar Flores moved from Detroit to Grand Rapids in 1997 to attend Aquinas College, and later GVSU where he earned a Masters in Social Work. Omar has worked as a clinical social worker for over 18 years and specializes in the treatment of trauma, conflict management, and substance use disorders. He currently works as a partner at Claystone Clinical Associates which has been serving Grand Rapids for over 50 years.

Chérie Elahl is a compassionate therapist dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for healing. Grounded in social justice values, she helps clients explore how systemic and relational trauma impact their well-being and sense of self. Chérie is drawing from a trauma-informed approach, and supports clients reclaiming their voices and building resilience. She believes that personal healing and collective liberation are deeply intertwined.

Emily VanDyke is completing the final semester of her master's program in clinical mental health counseling in December 2025. Upon graduating, she will be accepting new clients at The Fountain Hill Center, where she currently provides support through her internship experience. Emily believes that connection and the therapeutic relationship are some of the strongest indicators of successful therapeutic work, and she strives to create a welcoming, authentic, and safe space for all she works with.

Anna Geurkink is an LLMSW who provides therapy for teens, college students, and adults, creating a safe and inclusive space for clients seeking guidance, skills, and healing. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and works with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment disorder, and racial trauma, with a focus on racial and cultural identity and conflict resolution. Anna empowers clients to overcome barriers and build resilience through tools, support, and psychoeducation.

SPONSORS
This month’s meetup is sponsored by West Michigan Tech Talent. West Michigan Tech Talent connects local employers, educators, community organizations and workforce experts who are invested in creating a strong tech workforce. By sharing best practices, leveraging resources and collaborating on innovative solutions, WMTT is actively addressing the tech talent gap and makes upskilling affordable and accessible. Learn more at westmichigantechtalent.com.

This month’s meetup is also sponsored by Payload. Based in Grand Rapids, Payload is a fully Next.js-native headless CMS and backend that powers thousands of enterprise websites, internal applications, and more around the globe. Built with TypeScript and a code-first approach, Payload gives you a complete backend and admin panel to create anything. Learn more and get started at payloadcms.com.

This month’s meetup is also sponsored by Start Garden. Empowering West Michigan's startup ecosystem through financial, intellectual & social capital, Start Garden provides a neighborhood for startups to grow. No matter where you are on your journey - whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup or simply a dreamer with a great idea - the Start Garden ecosystem provides a strong community of support to help you get your idea off the ground or move your business to the next level. Learn more at startgarden.com.

GRWebDev's title sponsor is LaFleur Marketing. LaFleur is your forward-thinking digital marketing partner, creating innovative, data-driven marketing strategies and assets for law firms, healthcare organizations, and growing businesses. Learn more about their services on the web at lafleur.marketing.

SCHEDULE

• 6:00pm - 6:30pm … Refreshments and Networking
• 6:30pm … Opening Announcements + Panel Discussion
• 7:30pm … Q&A + Closing Announcements
• 8:00pm … Event Ends