Jody Vanderwel

Biography

Since 2005 Jody has been actively involved with Grand Angels, which invests in early stage businesses.  From 2005 – 2016 she served as president of the organization.  In this capacity, Jody oversaw Grand Angels’ deal sourcing, investing, and portfolio management, and represented the group at networking and educational events across Michigan.  Since her retirement as President at the end of 2016, she has continued as a member of the Investment Committee of Grand Angels Venture Funds II and III, and of the board of Grand Angels.  During her tenure, Grand Angels invested about $23,000,000 in 39 companies through 105 rounds of financing.

Prior to Grand Angels, Jody worked several years in private legal practice before joining Herman Miller as Corporate Counsel and then Vice President for Corporate Giving.  As Corporate Counsel, Jody handled the legal work for benefit plans, contracts, human resources, dealer relationships, leases, and litigation.  As Vice President of Corporate Giving she set up a foundation and also revamped and expanded the Corporate Giving program to include many employee involvement programs.

Jody is currently a member of the Baker Publishing Group Board, the Fuller Theological Seminary Board, and the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Board, as well as the advisory boards of Michigan Accelerator Fund I, Northern Trust for West Michigan, and Plymouth Growth Partners Fund III.  In 2014 Governor Snyder appointed her to a four-year term on the Michigan Strategic Fund Board.

Jody’s past board service includes Priority Health, a board she chaired from 2011 – 2015, and the Young Life National Board.