Mercedes Barragan

 Vice Chair

Mercedes is the Senior Specialist Talent Programs on the Inclusion & Diversity Team at Spectrum Health.

Prior to her career within Spectrum Health, Mercedes jump-started her professional career as a Marketing Communications Specialist at Cascade Engineering, where she was involved in the development and implementation of Cascade Engineering’s diversity and anti-racism activities and policies.

Mercedes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Business Administration from Cornerstone University. She serves on the BL²END Advisory Council (Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions). She is also a member of the Society of Latino Professionals and Latinas of West Michigan Network and a graduate of the Latino Talent Initiative from Ferris State University Latino Business and Economic Development Center. Since 2012 Mercedes has helped launch and spearhead the Young Professionals of Color Conference (YPCC) touching hundreds of young professionals in Grand Rapids. She hopes to continue her mission through the NIA Centre.

In her downtime, Mercedes enjoys spending time with her friends, playing volleyball at the Kroc Center, and face-timing her 3-year-old niece. She is a foodie, huge movie buff and happily lives in the Alger Heights community.