Some stories begin with a title. Brooke Gruesbeck's begins with a decision, a decision to leave, rebuild, and rise not loudly but with a steady, unshakable resolve that would shape everything that came after.
Her life is not a straight line of promotions and milestones. It is a series of conscious choices to reclaim her voice, expand her world, and turn hard-won resilience into a leadership style rooted in empathy, clarity, and grounded strength.
Choosing a New Beginning
After leaving a deeply difficult chapter, she found herself starting from nothing. "I didn't have a job when I got divorced," she says. "Thankfully, a friend helped me get one, and I built from there."
The rebuild wasn't glamorous. It wasn't quick. It was a slow return to stability, confidence, and self-trust. "It's shocking to me that it even happened," she reflects. "Once you're in it, it's hard to get out. But even after taking a wrong turn for years, here I am."
Her story is a reminder that reinvention is not reserved for the privileged. It is available to anyone willing to walk back toward themselves.
A Career Designed With Purpose, Not Performance
Today, Brooke works in transformation and strategy, helping organizations streamline operations and rethink how they function. She understands the mechanics of business, but she also understands the people behind it. Her perspective is clear: "My job is how I make money. What I build outside of work is what fulfills me."
Her career is intentionally structured as a platform that allows her to pursue bigger ambitions with stability and independence. It gives her the room to grow, the space to contribute, and the ability to choose her direction rather than react to it.
Leadership That Cuts Through the Noise
Brooke's leadership style comes from experience, not theory. She leads with honesty, humanity, and a willingness to show the side of herself that isn't polished. "I want the real part of me to show," she says. "If you're yourself, everything else finds its place."
She has mentored younger women entering the workforce, watching them evolve from hesitant to assertive, from unsure to grounded. "I've seen girls learn to advocate for themselves," she says. "And I'm still learning how to do that too."
Her philosophy is simple: people don't grow when they feel watched. They grow when they feel safe. "Emotional intelligence is hard to find," she says. "But if you stay stuck in old ways, you don't grow." It is leadership as a human practice, not a performance.
A Global Lens That Changes Everything
Brooke is currently completing her Executive MBA in Milan, a program that reflects her commitment to evolving both personally and professionally. "Different cultures do business differently," she says. "We're a global economy. I want to learn from people who see the world completely differently from me."
Her international education has expanded the way she thinks, leads, and connects. "It gives me an edge," she explains. "I have the education but also a perspective not many people have." It is shaping her into a leader who understands transformation not as a buzzword but as a lived reality across cultures, industries, and borders.
RedM: Turning Awareness Into Action
Beyond her career, Brooke channels her time into building RedM, an initiative focused on raising awareness about human trafficking. "RedM exists to shine a light on human trafficking," she says. "It happens everywhere, even in places people assume are safe."
She is launching a new chapter in Grand Rapids, supporting the organization's goal of expanding into new locations and professional communities, moving beyond its oil and gas roots. "RedM is on the cusp of becoming a global initiative," she says. "We're professionals who care. It's about creating spaces where people can learn, listen, and engage."
The organization's subtle branding, she adds, is intentional. "When you see the RedM logo, it's a psychological trigger. You know it's about human trafficking. David Reid, who founded it, is a marketer, and he did a good job making it approachable."
Her work with RedM is grounded in accessibility. It takes a topic that overwhelms many and turns it into something people can thoughtfully participate in.
A Legacy Built on Clarity and Impact
Brooke's next chapter is defined by intention. She wants to use her experiences, without romanticizing them, to create a space where others feel seen and supported. "I want people to walk away with something helpful," she says. "I want to be truthful enough about who I am that it encourages other people to do the same."
After years of working quietly, she is ready to step into her voice with purpose and direction. "I've been working hard for years," she says. "Now I want to elevate what I've built, accelerate it, and create a personal brand that keeps me focused on what matters. I want people to feel inspired, motivated, and hopeful."
Her story is not about a dramatic escape or a perfect rise. It is about the unwavering strength to rebuild your life on your own terms and the leadership that emerges when you finally choose yourself.
