Vonnie Woodrick is a compassionate and enthusiastic social change agent. Her founding of the non-profit organization, i understand, exemplifies her determination to change the stigma surrounding mental/brain health illness and loss to suicide.

She is author of the book, i understand pain, love, and healing after suicide, which is currently in 52 units of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Department Victim Advocates Unit. This book is a resource to families who have lost a loved one to suicide. Her second book, Change Can Be Beautiful, is a small but powerful book that she wrote to share her life after loss lessons.

Vonnie’s pocast, Behind the Smile, is a passion project to bring the conversation of mental health to everyday places and reduce stigma. She also leads a support group and a walking group. She has been featured in the national publication Woman’s World on how walking helped heal her heart.

Her greatest passion revolves around the definition of suicide, being outdated and stigmatized. She created a petition to update the definition to a more accurate definition, changing the conversation and reducing stigma. Learn more about i understand and sign the definition petition at iunderstandloveheals.org.

A huge thank you to United Bank for being the August host and breakfast sponsor!