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Meet the Wiese Family

The Wiese family moved to West Michigan in 2013, became members at Egypt Valley in 2019 and have loved enjoying everything the Club has to offer ever since.

Originally from Metro Detroit, Anastasia earned her Juris Doctor of Law from Valparaiso University, is a Certified Financial Planner and works as a Senior Financial Advisor and Owner of Grand Wealth Management. Husband Mike, originally from the Flint area, obtained his Juris Doctor of Law from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, and is a trial attorney and shareholder in the litigation practice group at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge. The pair met while studying at Albion College and the rest is history.

Together, the couple live in Ada and have two daughters: Arianna, who’s almost nine and loves gymnastics and cheer, and Izzy, who’s five years old and enjoys pretending to be a princess and coloring.

“In between our second and third years of law school, we both had clerkships here in Grand Rapids and just really loved the community,” Anastasia said. “We knew we wanted to really be a part of a community and settle down and raise a family. And we wanted it to be place that was slower paced, and more family oriented. So, we absolutely loved Grand Rapids!”

When the couple knew they wanted to join a Club in the area, the looked around before knowing Egypt Valley was the right fit.

“We love that there’s two golf courses and that you don't have to fight over a tee time,” Anastasia said. “We really wanted a club that was very family oriented, and allowed kids the opportunity to participate in things like golf starting from a young age.”

The Club’s extracurricular and social activities have been a massive draw for the family, whether it’s the girls getting to have fun at the Barbie party, visiting Santa or seeing the Easter Bunny, or Anastasia and Mike spending time at the Club’s wine tastings and golf leagues.

“We'll bring clients, professional referral sources or whomever to join us for those nicer events, as well,” Anastasia explained. “It's just a classy atmosphere for when we're doing business related things.”

Egypt Valley’s Women’s Association, Anastasia notes, has been particularly welcoming.

“It can be very intimidating when you don't know anybody coming into a club or a big group of ladies,” she said. “I didn't know anybody when we joined, and it was just very, very welcoming. I met so many people who I'm still friends with today. We continue to grow our friendships and golf and hang out by the pool. It really is its own special little community! I hope people aren't shy or nervous about saying ‘hi’ to someone at the pool or whatever it might be, because we're all there to be a part of this community together.”

When it comes to golf, Anastasia played in high school, but took a break to focus on law school. She got back into the sport after Izzy was born and the family joined the Club. Mike, who describes himself today as a social golfer, grew up as a bag boy at a country club over in the Grand Blanc area, but really started getting into golf when Anastasia was finding her way back into the sport, as well.

Outside of their time at the Club, Anastasia and Mike very much enjoy cooking and sipping on some nice wine. “We started collecting wine and we're a part of a couple of different wine clubs in Northern Michigan and out in California,” said Anastasia.

Other members may not know that Anastasia was named a Crain’s Grand Rapids “40 Under 40” recipient, is joining the board of the Girl Scouts of Michigan this year, and is passionate about giving her time to causes around food insecurity for children and empowering young women and girls.

“At work, I’m the only female advisor—and the only female advisor owner—of my firm, along with being on the leadership team,” Anastasia said. “I really try to focus on finding good talent and bringing it in, as well as serving my clients and hopefully showing other women out there that it's OK that you don't have to look like all the guys around you; you can still participate and have a major role in an industry that's predominantly male dominated.”

If you see the Wiese family around the Club, be sure to say, “Hello!”