Urban Game Changers

Audio Bill Brinkerhoff and Kathy Sample are the co-founders of Argus Farm Stop, a pioneering local food business designed to strengthen regional farms while expanding community access to fresh, locally sourced food. Since launching Argus in 2014, they have developed a farmer-first model that has returned millions of dollars to producers and helped demonstrate how mission-driven business can support both economic and social impact. Through their work in food systems innovation, entrepreneurship,

Audio Lisa Prasad began her entrepreneurial journey facilitating community development around “anchor” institutions. Now she is leading a new wave of innovation at one such institution. Lisa Prasad emigrated to Michigan from India at age 10. She learned English by watching episodes of Gilligan’s Island, an experience that was an early indication of Lisa’s voracious curiosity about her newfound home and the world in general. By the time Lisa completed her college education at University of Mich

Audio Jonathan Kumar built a sustainable, for-profit business that addresses the needs of homeless people. Jonathan Kumar was born in Buffalo, New York, where his parents had landed after migrating from India. His father was a student, his mother a homemaker. They barely had enough to get by, but supportive community organizations and people made an important difference and enabled the family to survive and later thrive in their adopted country. Jonathan didn’t forget that lesson. As a busine

Audio Carla Walker Miller built a company that utilizes clean energy technology to improve lives and create economic opportunity. Carla Walker-Miller is Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, a Detroit-based energy efficiency and clean energy solutions company focused on helping utilities, communities, and businesses reduce energy burden while expanding economic opportunity. A civil engineer by training, she began her career in the power and electrical equipment industry with Westin

Audio Carla Walker Miller built a company that utilizes clean energy technology to improve lives and create economic opportunity. Carla Walker-Miller is Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, a Detroit-based energy efficiency and clean energy solutions company focused on helping utilities, communities, and businesses reduce energy burden while expanding economic opportunity. A civil engineer by training, she began her career in the power and electrical equipment industry with Westin

Audio From Registered Nurse to CEO: Nathan Baar is Changing the Game in Primary Care Access In this episode of Urban Game Changers, we speak with Nathan Baar, Founder and CEO of HealthBar, a Grand Rapids–based healthcare service reimagining how primary and preventive care is delivered. HealthBar operates a hybrid model that embeds clinical teams directly into workplaces and schools, supported by virtual access via phone, text, and email. Health Bar makes primary medical care care more accessib