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Gayle DeBruyn, owner of Lake Affect Design Studio and chair of West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Location: Grand River, downtown Grand Rapids
Teachers always remember that “one” student who often unintentionally helps the teacher realize some great insight. Gayle DeBruyn can remember the moment and the student. A student in a class about construction codes asked about energy codes, and that question spurred DeBruyn to do some reading and learning of her own. She found herself getting drawn deeper and deeper into the world of sustainability and realizing the role her design profession could play in achieving success with the triple bottom line. “What I’ve come to understand is that design has a stronger voice than I thought it really had. It could be transformational to the environment, the community and business. It’s a lifelong journey that’s ever-changing and always exciting.” This year, she finds herself heading up the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, the oldest such organization in the state. Her goal in her tenure is to broaden the organization’s reach and bring as many people as possible to the conversation. “Beyond just being amazing people, these are intelligent, compassionate, committed folks.”
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