MARQUETTE – Northern Initiatives is pleased to announce that Elissa Sangalli has accepted an offer to be the third president in the 27-year history of the organization. She will replace Dennis West who is retiring this June.

Sangalli comes to this work, having served as the president and CEO of Local First, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is a role that she has held since 2007. She is a native of Michigan and a graduate of Aquinas College.

Sangalli was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan in 2018 and again in 2020. She has been named among the Top 40 Under 40 three times by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

She has worked with BLab to create and pre-pilot BCorp’s Quick Impact Assessment and “Measure What Matters” campaign. This program has engaged 400 businesses to participate from West Michigan.

“Elissa has a unique talent, who will contribute to the vision and possibilities for Northern Initiatives to grow its work with small businesses. She is one of the national leaders in working with businesses to grow a triple bottom line of profits, environmental stewardship, and community support. She was a unanimous choice by our Board and staff,” Fred Joyal, the Chair of the Board, said.

“Studies show that communities with higher proportions of local business ownership are better off by every economic indicator, have healthier people, and have higher rates of civic engagement. Northern Initiatives creates opportunities for local ownership to grow and flourish. I’m incredibly honored to steward the organization into its next season of impact,” Sangalli said .

Elissa replaces Dennis West, who has been President since 1997. During his tenure Northern Initiatives has become one of the leading Community Development Financial Institutions, focusing on small business lending and supports for their growth.