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Leadership Detroit Previous Classes

Meet Leadership Detroit Grads

Hear from graduates of Leadership Detroit on their experience surrounding the program.

Andrea Harp, LD 44
Chief of Staff and Director
Culture and Community, Michigan Science Center

“Often as leaders, we don’t have safe spaces to share openly and transparently. LD created so many moments that inspired me to push myself and that felt liberating.”

Iltefat Hamzavi

Iltefat Hamzavi, LD 39
Vice President
Hamzavi Dermatology

“During a very turbulent time in our country, state, and region, the LD experience reminded me about all that is good in the metro Detroit area. If we have this group leading us, then I am hopeful for the future and whatever may come our way.”

Denise Thomas

Denise Thomas, LD 44
Director, Campaigns and Major Gifts College for Creative Studies

“LD has shown me that I can make a difference and be a leader beyond the boundaries of my profession. Each session has been enlightening, offering valuable insights that have enriched
me personally and professionally.”

Marc Berke, LD 40
Chief Development Officer
Autism Alliance of Michigan

“The experience I had will have a positive impact on the rest of my life, both professionally and personally. Spending 10 intense months with remarkable people from all over the Detroit area, learning important and hard-hitting issues facing our community, and looking at where you are as a leader can impact your community and your organization. I am so appreciative that I had this opportunity to be a part of something that will continually help shape the leader I want to be in Detroit.”

Van Nguyen

Van Nguyen, LD 42
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Schoolcraft College

“I had the opportunity to network with like-minded, dynamic people all with the same core qualities. I was able to apply the learning outcomes of the course to my life, both professionally and personally. I learned to focus on resilience and not perfection.”

Cynthia Gardner, LD 40
Senior Vice President/Business Banking Market Manager
PNC

“One of the most valuable takeaways of my Leadership Detroit experience was connecting with an amazing group of leaders from across the region. This experience showed me that there are people who are deeply passionate and committed to the success of the Detroit region. As our class gained greater knowledge about the opportunities from local leadership, there was an energy of becoming united in a singular desire to move the region forward. And it hasn’t ended with graduation. It continues — an ever-burning fire of commitment.”

David Krysak

David Krysak, LD 42
Director, Practice Development
Progressive AE

“The flourishing relationships which have evolved from the networking events has been exceptional, identifying like-minded individuals outside of my core business practice has been exceedingly rewarding.”

Terrence Williams, LD 44
Executive Assistant to the Washtenaw County Administrator
Washtenaw County

“In my journey through the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit
program, I discovered the power of learning, the strength in relationship
building, and the thrill and excitement of doing new things. With each meeting,
I embraced new perspectives and ideas, eagerly weaving them into the fabric
of my daily work. This experience ignited a passion within me to lead boldly,
innovate tirelessly, and transform challenges into opportunities.”

Tai Tran

Tai Tran, LD 43
Assistant General Manager
Detroit Athletic Club

“Leadership Detroit empowered me to envision a brighter future for Detroit, fostered lifelong connections with inspiring professionals and thought leaders, and instilled in me the courage to embrace change and make a lasting impact. I’ll forever cherish the moments we shared and the growth we experienced together as a class.”

Ryan Maibach, LD 31
President and Chief Executive Officer
Barton Malow Company

“Leadership Detroit was an amazing, eye-opening experience. Having grown up in metro Detroit and lived in the community most of my life, I felt I understood the area and the issues pretty well. After going through the LD experience, I gained context and understanding of why some aspects of our community are the way they are and how diverse leaders in the area are working to improve it.”

William Moir

William Moir, LD 43
Senior Vice President, Supply
Chain
Henry Ford Health

“Leadership Detroit was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my professional career. From becoming more involved and aware of the amazing things our magnificent city has to offer, to enhancing my emotional IQ and building friendships for life, I could not have asked for a better experience.”

Monique Stanton

Monique Stanton, LD 38
President and Chief Executive Officer
CARE of Southeastern Michigan

“Leadership Detroit surpassed all of my expectations. I found myself having real dialogue about race, class, economics, and other issues that are impacting our region, state, and nation that I didn’t expect to have in a leadership development program. I’ve made some genuine friendships and relationships that go beyond general networking.”

Angela Vincent, LD 40
Owner and Operator
Mix Bricktown

“ I have been able to take it a step further with my staff and management by opening up the dialogue regarding their assessment of my leadership.  This allowed us to quickly attack weak areas within the company.  Our approach has led to increased moral and a stronger work ethic collectively. The transformative leadership lessons I learned in the program have prepared me for my next stage of entrepreneurship excellence.”

Smith Shannon, LD 40
Vice President
Siebert Williams Shank

“One key takeaway from my Leadership Detroit experience is that the time for leadership and collaboration has never been more important. This region has the potential to become a global economic hub, and it’s hard for me to see us achieving that without meaningful collaboration. Leadership Detroit was the first time in my life where I witnessed leaders from this region work together to achieve something great for all. In order to balance the needs of people, planet, and profit we have to start thinking about collaborating to expand the pie for all and not compete for a slice of it.”

Gabrielle Poshadlo

Gabrielle Poshadlo, LD 43
Communications Director
Ford Land

“Leadership Detroit offered me the treasured opportunity to meet fellow leaders in my community with whom I otherwise may never have crossed paths. I can’t wait to watch this group’s careers continue to grow for years to come, and for that next, inevitable moment when we’ll work together.”

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