For the 16th consecutive year, Hope College has been named one of “West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®.”

The winners were chosen by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) for having the most innovative and thoughtful approaches to human resources.  They represent industries as diverse as the automotive, construction, financial, healthcare, manufacturing and non-profit sectors.

An independent research firm evaluates each company’s entry, based on various categories. The categories include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives and Strategic Company Performance. With more than 20 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the NABR has identified numerous best human resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards.

“Throughout the year, the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® have demonstrated leadership and forward thinking as they pivoted their business and workforce through COVID-19. As the conversation and focus has shifted, our Best and Brightest winning companies have also been a voice for important actions regarding race relations employee wellbeing. In these unique times, the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® excel and share their knowledge with others,” said Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of the Best and Brightest Programs.

The winning companies will be honored on Tuesday, July 20, on a virtual platform.  They also compete for 13 elite awards, one granted for each category, and an overall winner that has excelled in all categories will be honored with a “Best of the Best Overall” award. The elite award winners will be revealed during the digital presentation.

West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is sponsored by Baudville Brands, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ABC WZZM 13, Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Davenport University, DTE Energy, The Employers' Association, Consumers Credit Union, Meijer, uMap, Clark Hill and SpartanNash.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a national program that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. The national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. It is presented annually in several markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New York, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, West Michigan and nationally.