2026 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
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Steve Rusticus
Executive Director, Movement West Michigan
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Dana Roefer
Vice President, Faith Driven Entrepreneur Coaching Services
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Kevin Foster
Founder, Capital for Compassion
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Kevin DeVries
Founder, True Summit
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Jon and Kerrie VerLee
Founders of Startup Garage
Steve Rusticus
Executive Director, Movement West Michigan
Steve has followed Jesus passionately—though imperfectly—since age 13. His greatest joy, after his faith, is his family: being married to his best friend, MeriBeth, for 43 years; raising two daughters; welcoming their husbands into the family; and enjoying the blessing of five grandchildren, ages 25 to 1½.
After graduating from Calvin College and Western Theological Seminary, Steve began a lifelong journey of listening to God and responding in faith. That journey has led to leadership roles in churches, business, and nonprofit organizations. He has pastored churches in Holland, Michigan; Lafayette and Fort Wayne, Indiana; and most recently Glen Arbor, Michigan. His longest tenure was at Victory Point Church in Holland, where he served from 1997–2017, including 17 years as Lead Pastor.
Along the way, Steve also spent three years in leadership at an automotive supplier, four years as Chief Operations Officer at Gateway Mission, and most recently serving as the Executive Director of Movement West Michigan.
Throughout his leadership, Steve has focused on building healthy cultures marked by trust, commitment, and accountability. He is passionate about developing intergenerational communities that make disciples, helping people live a “Jesus-Shaped Life” and impact their families and communities with the gospel. In all he does, Steve strives to be an authentic follower of Jesus and a leader who helps others do the same.
Dana Roefer
Vice President, Faith Driven Entrepreneur Coaching Services
Dana Roefer serves as the VP of Experiences at Faith Driven Entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship has been at the heart of Dana’s career—both in launching her own ventures and supporting others in building theirs. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs gain clarity, navigate challenges, and bring their ideas to life.
Alongside her husband, Matt, Dana founded the Grand Rapids Children's Business Fair and Journey Academy, creating opportunities for young people to explore innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dana holds a BA in Communication from Michigan State University. She and Matt have been married since 2008 and have two boys, Simon and Lucas.
Kevin Foster
Founder, Capital for Compassion
Kevin is the founder of Capital for Compassion and has spent the last 23 years meeting with hundreds of organizations across the United States to assist with financing affordable housing and redeveloping low-income communities. Previously, Kevin directed the Holland Rescue Mission, led new product introduction at Haworth, Inc., and worked in the aerospace and defense industry. Kevin has an MBA from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Michigan State University. Kevin and his wife Kim reside in Holland, Michigan and have six children and seven grandchildren.
Kevin DeVries
Founder, True Summit
Born to Dutch Immigrants, Kevin has journeyed to the ends of the earth as an Extreme Explorer, summiting five of the Seven Continental Summits and skiing to the North Pole for THE EXPLORERS GRAND SLAM.
He has showcased his talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills by selling his companies and starting a global storytelling movement to produce an award-winning film on EVEREST.
Kevin is a trusted Brand Ambassador who has consistently demonstrated his Thought Leadership skills in various industries.
His resilience and determination as a Cardiac Arrest Survivor are truly inspiring, and his captivating storytelling makes him an exceptional speaker.
His Near-Death, Out-Of-Body Experience straddling two dimensions when his heart stopped for 15 minutes qualified him to lead others to THE TRUE SUMMIT; very few explore and return to tell the tale.
Kevin is known for his fearless transparency, poetic metaphors, disarming humor, and unbridled passion to create an experience and atmosphere where transformation happens.
Jon and Kerrie VerLee
Founders of Startup Garage
Jon and Kerrie VerLee are passionate about helping others view their time, talents, and resources as gifts entrusted by God for His purposes. Jon, a pastor-turned-tech founder, and Kerrie, an advocate for Christian education and generosity, share how embracing faithful stewardship has led them into an adventure far greater than they ever imagined. Through their journey, they encourage others to move beyond the promises of the American Dream and discover the deeper joy, purpose, and impact found in God's calling.