Women of Achievement 2025
Marcia Ditmyer, PhD, MBA, MS - Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Marcia Ditmyer serves as Dean of the Crystle M. Lange College of Health and Human Services at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). She holds a PhD in Public Health, an MBA, and an MS in Wellness and Health Promotion. A Michigan native, Dr. Ditmyer began her career in the automobile industry with experience in human resources, labor relations, and health and safety before transitioning to higher education. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, she helped establish a comprehensive interprofessional education program, connecting he schools of medicine, dental medicine, nursing, public health, and integrative health professions, while advancing UNLV’s academic health center.
Since returning to Michigan, she has forged strong community partnerships to expand access to education and healthcare. Her initiatives include building nursing pathways with community colleges, creating scholarship opportunities with healthcare employers, and serving on the Medical Diamond Steering Committee to establish Michigan’s third bioscience hub—the first north of Flint.
At the state level, Dr. Ditmyer is President of the Michigan Public Health Association, a Public Member of the Michigan State Board of Nursing, and a board member with Great Lakes Bay MiWorks, MyMichigan Saginaw/Standish/Tawas, and the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance. Nationally, she serves as Chair of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Governing Councilor of the American Public Health Association’s Epidemiology Section, and Public Member of the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Deeply committed to wellness and community health, Dr. Ditmyer has earned recognition as a respected leader locally, regionally, and nationally. She remains dedicated to advancing SVSU, strengthening community partnerships, and improving the health and well-being of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Tiffany L. Pruitt - Arts & Education
Tiffany L. Pruitt is the Executive Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations and Title IX Coordinator for Saginaw Public Schools. An accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of service in the district, she has strengthened recruitment and retention, modernized HR systems, and led the way for Saginaw to become the first district in Michigan approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
A proud alumna of Central Michigan University, Pruitt earned degrees in Journalism and Public Relations, Educational Leadership, and Teaching & Learning, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership as a King-Chávez-Parks Fellow. In addition, she is a Licensed Restorative Practices Trainer and a Gerstacker Leadership Fellow. Her leadership has been recognized nationally with the Johns Hopkins University National Network of Partnership Schools District Leadership Award (2017 & 2018), contributions to Johns Hopkins publications, and acknowledgment from the Harvard Graduate School of Education for her role in Creating Safe, Equitable, Engaging Schools (2018). She also founded the Family and Community Engagement Empowerment Center in Saginaw, which continues to serve families today.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pruitt is a mentor, licensed Lay Minister, community leader, and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As one nominator shared, “Tiffany is a living example to girls and women that circumstances do not determine your trajectory.”
Dr. Tracy L. Rainey - Social Justice & Advocacy
Dr. Tracy Rainey has devoted nearly three decades to the prevention, intervention, and management of domestic violence and sexual assault services. A survivor herself, her personal experiences fueled her determination to create the safe spaces that were absent in her own childhood.
She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and a PhD in Forensic Psychology with a specialization in Victimology. This strong academic foundation, combined with extensive field experience, has allowed her to provide expert court testimony, deliver therapy services, and expand critical programs at the Bay Area Women’s Center (BAWC).
As Director of Crisis and Forensic Services, she oversees emergency shelter programs and founded the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, which has supported survivors for nearly 25 years.Beyond BAWC, Dr. Rainey founded Resilience Counseling & Forensic Consulting, LLC, where she offers therapy, training, and support for first responders, veterans, and medical personnel who face secondary trauma.
In his letter of recommendation, BAWC’s Jeremy Rick said of Dr. Rainey, “Her life’s work is a testament to the profound change one person can make when they combine compassion, expertise, and unyielding dedication to primary and secondary survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”
Linda Anaman - Business & Entrepreneurship
Linda Anaman has served as the Midland Trichlorosilane (TCS) Site Manager for Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) since 2020. In this role, she manages and operates assets, oversees contracts with Dow and HSC, and ensures production and collaboration align with company needs.
Her career reflects resilience and determination. Inspired by a high school teacher to pursue engineering, she overcame discouragement from a college professor who told her, “Engineering isn’t for women.” Instead of being deterred, she used those words as motivation, earning her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University in 1994.
Linda joined HSC in 1996 as a plant engineer, later working in chemical sales technical support and leadership roles at Dow Corning before returning to HSC in 2005 as supply and logistics manager, where she served for 15 years. Her accomplishments include the Working Mother of the Year award (2011), Junior Achievement Volunteer of the Year award (2018), and membership in Leadership Saginaw. Passionate about empowering others, Linda believes leadership is about helping people grow for their next opportunity. Her nominator noted in the application, “Linda is the embodiment of a servant-leader, consistently making meaningful contributions to both HSC and our broader community.”
Diane Keenan - Civic & Nonprofit
Diane L. Keenan is a lifelong advocate and servant leader with more than 30 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and community service. She currently serves as Executive Director of the East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw, Michigan, where she leads a staff of seven, coordinates 2,200 volunteers annually, manages a $1 million budget, and oversees the preparation of 800–900 meals daily. Under her guidance, the kitchen has expanded its mission beyond meal service to become a hub of dignity, healing, and opportunity. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to underserved populations. She previously held leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint and Saginaw County, the Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay Council, and the Bay Arenac Career Complex, advancing outreach, equity, and lifelong learning.
Diane holds both a bachelor’s in organizational development and a master’s in organizational management from Spring Arbor University, as well as certifications in nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and substance abuse prevention. Active in her community, she has served on numerous boards and continues to mentor women and marginalized individuals.
One of the East Side Soup Kitchen volunteers, Laurie, wrote in her letter of recommendation of Diane, “ She is a role model and leader for her staff and volunteers, personally demonstrating what it means to treat every person with dignity and respect, no matter what their situation.”
Marissa Palmer D.N.P., R.N. - Healthcare
Marissa Palmer is the Chief Nursing Officer of MyMichigan Health. Palmer received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing between 2011-2014. In May of 2021, she earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Saginaw Valley State University. She has been with MyMichigan Health for more than 17 years serving in a variety of roles including patient care, community education, clinical quality nurse specialist, quality improvement manager, director of quality and patient safety and, most recently, director of trauma and critical/progressive care.
Palmer’s core career objectives are to advance nursing practice at MyMichigan by being an active participant in organizational growth toward generational sustainability. She has taught by example the importance of paying it forward and giving back to others to help all thrive in our communities. Areas of service have included the Shelterhouse, Midland Girls Softball League, Miracle Field, United Way, WAYGFT Recovery, Saginaw Valley State University, and Midland Public Schools. Dr. Lydia Watson noted in her nomination of Marissa, “She has mentored countless women in nursing and healthcare leadership, creating opportunities and removing barriers for others to rise...”
When not at work, Palmer enjoys spending time with husband, Kal, daughters Rylin and Leighton, and their fur family members, Winnie and Betty. Marissa and Kal spend much of their time at their children’s sporting events.