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Harvard Business School’s 2026 Young American Leaders Program Participants Reflect on Experience

September 30, 2026

The Detroit Regional Chamber is committed to creating opportunities for emerging leaders to collaborate with their peers to tackle key regional issues and create positive change. Each year, the Chamber liaises between these leaders and the Harvard Business School’s Detroit Young American Leaders Program (YALP). As a founding member, the Chamber works with local executives to select and recruit a diverse cohort, fundraise to cover participants’ stipend costs, and help prepare participants for their experience.

By bringing programs like this to the Detroit Region, the Chamber empowers the next generation of leaders by encouraging them to connect across sectors and communities to increase collaboration and create innovative solutions to regional challenges. These experiences help foster a network of talented individuals committed to moving the Detroit Region forward today and in the decades to come.

What is YALP?

Started in 2015, YALP brings together 10 leaders annually, each from 14 cities across the country, immersing them in a Harvard Business School experience. This includes case studies, speaker presentations, and whiteboard sessions that challenge participants to work together to target an issue their city faces.

The program is designed to inspire collaborative innovation in cities across the U.S. and jump-start the conversation about how business, civic, and nonprofit leaders can work together to bring shared prosperity to America’s communities. It’s part of the Harvard Business School’s U.S. Competitiveness Project, on which Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah participates.

This Year’s Cohort

  • Clare Braun, Director, Strategy and Integration, Michigan Central
  • Jennifer Stallings Dewey, Counsel, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, General Motors
  • Marty Dobek, Executive Director, Detroit Sports Commission
  • Tatiana Grant, Principal, 2050 Partners, Inc.
  • Kevin Heard, Senior Manager, Engagement Programs and Partnerships, USA Today Co.
  • Almir Karamovic, Advisor, Strategic Planning, Corewell Health
  • Morgan Knies, Group Practice Operations Director, Cancer Service Line, Henry Ford Health
  • Bruno Olvera, Director, Head of North America Diversity Supplier Development, Stellantis
  • Brian J. Shoaf, Vice President, Public Policy and Business Advocacy, Detroit Regional Chamber

Jennifer Stallings headshot

“YALP gave me a valuable understanding of cross-sector, multi-stakeholder collaboration and how business, government, nonprofits, and communities can work together toward shared goals. That perspective has been especially relevant to a new project leading community engagement for General Motors relating to a $2.2 billion redevelopment of the Renaissance Center, an iconic building on Detroit’s riverfront. The program was likely part of what prepared me for this opportunity by strengthening my appreciation for listening, relationship-building, and the perspectives each partner brings to complex work. I am grateful for the lasting perspective YALP has given me.”

– Jennifer Stallings Dewey

Brian Shoaf headshot

“The most rewarding part of YALP 2026 was being in a room filled with leaders who genuinely care about leaving their communities better than they found them. The conversations, ideas, and relationships reinforced my optimism about the next 250 years of our country. What stood out most, however, was the caliber of the Detroit cohort. Spending a week with leaders from our region reminded me just how deep Detroit’s talent bench is. We have a generation of leaders ready to take the next step — people who are committed to strengthening our communities, growing our economy, and creating opportunities for others. I left Harvard energized by what is possible for Detroit and excited to see the impact this group will have in the years ahead.”

– Brian J. Shoaf

Clare Braun headshot

“YALP provided a perfectly curated experience for anyone wanting to build a more resilient city. What I appreciated most was that no one was giving out answers; we had to work together, debate hard trade-offs, and learn from each other about what has worked and not worked in other cities. I came back to Detroit armed with new ideas and frameworks that have amplified my ability to make change.”

– Clare Braun

Marty Dobek headshot

“YALP was an outstanding experience that challenged me to think differently about leadership, collaboration, and the role we each play in shaping our communities. The case discussions and perspectives from leaders across the country provided valuable insight that I can bring back to my work in metro Detroit. Equally meaningful were the relationships built through the program, especially within the Detroit YALP cohort. We will always be connected by this shared experience, and I look forward to continuing to learn from and collaborate with this incredible group.”

– Marty Dobek 

Tatiana Grant headshot

“YALP was such an enriching experience personally and professionally. The insights, discussions, and relationships built will definitely grow our respective represented cities and communities. I find myself continuously referencing the case studies in my daily life.”

– Tatiana Grant 

Almir Karamovie headshot

“YALP exceeded every expectation I had. I was deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness with which the program was designed, not simply to teach leadership but to create genuine dialogue across sectors and perspectives. Learning alongside extraordinary leaders from across the country was both humbling and energizing, and every conversation reinforced that our communities’ most complex challenges are best addressed through collaboration. Having the opportunity to engage directly with faculty such as Dr. Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Dr. Jan Rivkin made the experience even more meaningful. I returned to Detroit with a renewed sense of purpose, lifelong relationships, and an even deeper appreciation for the power of cross-sector leadership to create lasting impact.”

– Almir Karamovic 

Bruno Olvera headshot

“Participating in the 2026 Harvard Business School Young American Leaders Program was an inspiring and energizing experience that reinforced the power of cross-sector collaboration to strengthen communities and expand shared prosperity. Engaging with the brightest leaders from across the country challenged me to think more boldly about how business, civic, education, and nonprofit partners can work together to create access, develop talent, support entrepreneurship, and drive economic growth. Professionally, the program strengthened my leadership perspective by exposing me to new frameworks for problem-solving, expanding my ability to connect strategy with community impact, and deepening my understanding of how inclusive economic ecosystems are built. I returned to Detroit with new relationships, practical insights, and a renewed commitment to applying these lessons in ways that help our region continue to grow, compete, and create opportunity for all.”

– Bruno Olvera