Leadership & Staff
Advisors
The Children’s Foundation Advisors support the Foundation’s various committees, advising on topics including finances, investments, fundraising and marketing, grants and governance.
Tim Couvreur
Partner, Data Consulting Group
Tim Couvreur
Partner, Data Consulting Group
Alan Dombkowski
Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine
Alan Dombkowski
Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine
Dr. Dombkowski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. His research is centered on identifying how genetic alterations cause pediatric diseases, with a focus on epilepsy. The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand the disease process at the molecular level to enable the development of improved therapeutics and diagnostics. Dr. Dombkowski is also involved in a wide range of pediatric research with his collaborators at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. His research has been supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the pharmaceutical industry, and private foundations. He frequently serves as a grant reviewer for these agencies, and he is a member of the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children Research Advisory Board. Dr. Dombkowski received his PhD from the University of Michigan in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and his BSc (summa cum laude) from the University of Houston in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences. He and his wife Sue are the parents of five children. Dr. Dombkowski is a proud veteran of the United State Marine Corps.
Mark Feiler
Executive Director / Brand Manager , Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Mark Feiler
Executive Director / Brand Manager , Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Mark is currently overseeing the Wealth Management business across eight locations in greater Michigan. He works with individuals, businesses, and institutions helping to manage their investment assets and retirement savings. Prior to Ameriprise, he spent 16 years at Morgan Stanley in leadership positions in Scottsdale and Miami. Mark attended Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Economics. In 2007 and 2009, Mark received national recognition as one of the top 100 branch managers in the nation by peers in the annual survey hosted by On Wall Street Magazine. He’s been active in a number of organizations including University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Gleaner’s Food Bank, Relay for Life, as well as coaching soccer and numerous school related commitments. Mark is passionate about cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and three children. His connection to Children’s Hospital began years ago when a mentor was actively involved. Since that time, he has become closer as his daughter is currently a patient in the electrophysiology department, with an ongoing irregular heart issue. Last year she successfully received an implanted pacemaker device, and is doing great.
Terry Gardner
CFO/COO, Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Terry Gardner
CFO/COO, Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Terry is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, a charitable foundation that works to improve the health of seniors and children in the State of Michigan. Prior to joining the Health Fund, he served more than 30 years in the accounting and finance industries. Terry holds a BA in Economics from Albion College.
Julie Hollinshead
Julie Hollinshead,
Gretchen Holloway
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, ITC Holdings Corp.
Gretchen Holloway
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, ITC Holdings Corp.
In her role, Ms. Holloway is responsible for the company’s accounting, internal audit, treasury, financial planning and analysis, management reporting, risk management, and tax functions. She also heads the company’s new business development efforts.
ITC Holdings Corp. is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the country and invests in the electricity transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, lower the costs of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. Ms. Holloway is a member of the Finance Committee for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and a Board member of Inforum. Ms. Holloway holds a Bachelor in Business Administration degree in Finance from Western Michigan University. As a mother of three, Ms. Holloway is vested in providing resources to assist in the health and well-being of young children.
Marina Houghton
President of Houghton Consulting, PLC
Marina Houghton
President of Houghton Consulting, PLC
Marina provides accounting and consulting services to governmental, healthcare, manufacturing, and not-for-profit organizations. Previously, Marina was the Founder and President of Wolinski & Compay, C.P.A, P.C. which was purchased by Baker Tilly International in 2015. In 2016, Marina was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential Woman” in Michigan. In prior years, Marina was named “Top 40 under 40” by Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine, and received the “Emerging Corporate Leader” award by Wayne State University. Marina was also a finalist for the Eastern Michigan EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Nancy Levy
Anthropolgie
Nancy Levy
Anthropolgie
Nancy Levy is a graduate of Ohio State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in education. After graduation, Nancy taught elementary school in Michigan and pursued advanced courses in Guidance and Counseling. Nancy has a strong history in the Metro Detroit fashion industry and began her career as a wardrobe stylist and fashion retailer at her mother’s couture woman’s boutique, Dicken’s, one of the first in Southeastern Michigan. Levy founded the Birmingham fashion boutique Basic Goods and years later continues to work in the fashion retail space. She currently is involved in wardrobe styling and personal shopping for Anthropologie. Levy is an entrepreneur and educator who enjoys training young fashion associates on the finer points of creating a lasting relationship with retail customers. She works with people of all walks of life and uses fashion and style to help others express their personalities. She particularly enjoys human-to-human interaction. Her career work is founded on her belief that living a happy full life is the most important driving force and she extends this to her clients, philanthropic community and family. Levy has been a supporter and volunteer of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan for more than thirty years. Her work in the Metro Detroit community is extensive and she has also been active with the Cranbrook Educational Community, Habitat for Humanity and The Parade Company. She resides in Birmingham with her husband John.
Brian Marshall
Senior VP and Commercial Region Manager, Huntington
Brian Marshall
Senior VP and Commercial Region Manager, Huntington
Brian is a senior bank officer with over 25 years of banking experience leading the Commercial Bank for Huntington’s Michigan and Northwest Ohio markets. He leads multiple teams serving these markets and oversees the banking needs of a multi-billion commercial portfolio. This responsibility includes the delivery of the full value of the bank to the commercial customers including loan, deposit, capital markets, and treasury plus other ancillary bank products and services. Brian attended Hillsdale College and Wayne State University where he earned his MBA. Brian is a life-long Michigander who lives in Grosse Pointe with his wife MaryBeth and their daughter. Brian serves on the Finance Committee of Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Amy Perlman
V. P. & Controller, ITC Holdings Corp
Amy Perlman
V. P. & Controller, ITC Holdings Corp
Amy M. Perlman is Vice President and Controller for ITC Holdings Corp., responsible for the company's accounting, financial reporting, tax and other related functions. Ms. Perlman previously served as Director and Assistant Controller at ITC, responsible for external reporting, general ledger accounting and business processes, technical accounting policy and research and SOX Compliance.
Prior to joining ITC, Ms. Perlman spent 10 years at Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) serving in a number of leadership roles including Senior Finance Director and Accounting Director. Ms. Perlman began her career in audit services at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Ms. Perlman is a member of the Finance Committee for The Children’s Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children by raising and granting philanthropic resources and a member of the Economic Development Leadership Council of the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Ms. Perlman holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Dr. Seetha Shankaran
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Dr. Seetha Shankaran
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Dr. Seetha Shankaran is Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. From 1990 to 2016 she served as Director of the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics based at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Hutzel Women’s Hospital. She is involved in patient care, research, education and advocacy for Children. Her research includes performing clinical trials of new therapies, neuroprotection and long term follow up of high risk infants. She was the WSU site Principal Investigator of the NICHD multi-center Neontal Research Network from its founding in 1985 to 2016 and performed the first US trial of the neuroprotection with hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term infants with continued follow up of trial participants to childhood. This therapy has become the standard of care for HIE. She also demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the cooling strategy, comparing standard cooling with longer and/or deeper cooling. Dr. Shankaran was also the site PI of the study evaluating impact of maternal lifestyle during pregnancy (MLS) on childhood and adolscent outcome funded by NIDA and NIMH. Dr. Shankaran attended St. Joseph’s Covent located in Coonoor, India from 1950-1961, Queen Mary’s College in Madras, India from 1961 to 1962 and Madras Medical College from 1962 to 1968. She has received many outstanding honors and awards throughout her 50+ year career including Hutzel University Hospital/Hutzel Womans’s Hospital Physician Difference Maker in 2015, Honorable mention: Who’s Who in Academia, listed in Annual “Top Docs” Castle Connolly Medical and Annual “Top Docs” Hour Magazine, Detroit as well as Best Doctors in America 2012-2013. Dr. Shankaran is an Expert Medical Witness in Neonatology as well as served on a number of National, International, State and University Boards and Committees. Dr. Shankaran has published in over 300 publications and taught a variety of courses since 1975. She is a member of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation Grants and Compliance Committee and has supported approving over 50 grant projects.
Leaders for Kids
Leaders for Kids is an advisory board created to support the charitable work of The Children’s Foundation. This organization of emerging leaders from southeast Michigan is passionate about the health and wellness of children in the region.
Samuel Ashley
Vice-President, Cunningham-Limp Development Company
Samuel Ashley
Vice-President, Cunningham-Limp Development Company
Having joined Cunningham-Limp in 1997, Sam has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of construction operations. In his current role, Sam is responsible for establishing a structure around his client’s vision, while focusing on staying on budget and within a defined schedule. During the planning stages, he works closely with the design teams to provide unique and creative value engineering assessments, constructability recommendations and ultimately developing a platform that will be successfully constructed.
Sam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management from Ferris State University. He also is LEED AP certified.
Sam currently lives in northern Oakland County with his wife and two children. He serves on various philanthropic groups and community development organizations.
Renee Lossia-Acho
Owner, Renee Lossia Acho Real Estate Group - KW Domain
Renee Lossia-Acho
Owner, Renee Lossia Acho Real Estate Group - KW Domain
For nearly a decade, Renee has been recognized as a female leader in metro Detroit. Her many accomplishments include the 2013 Women’s Council of Realtors “Entrepreneur of the Year”, 2015 “Esteemed Women of Michigan”, and in 2017, she was the first woman to be named as the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce’s “Businessperson of the Year”. Active in her community, Renee serves as a board member for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan “Leaders for Kids” committee and was the first female on the Bank of Michigan board of directors.
In 2016, Lossia-Acho was among an exclusive investment team who introduced Keller William’s luxury brand to Birmingham, launching KW Domain. In just over three years, the company has expanded to more than 200 agents; it is now the leading real estate brokerage in metro Detroit.
A Top Real Estate Producer and industry leader, Lossia-Acho is consistently her office’s highest producing agent and has generated over $600 million in area sales, ranking her among the top 1 percent of realtors nationally. She credits her industry knowledge, experience in architecture, building and design, and creative marketing for her success. The expertise, market knowledge, and commitment Renee provides each client results in an unsurpassed experience and is the No. 1 reason why referrals continue to be the primary source of her business. Her professional achievements notwithstanding, her favorite job will always be as a mother to her three children.
Kristina Berger
North America Key Account Manager, Stanley Black and Decker
Kristina Berger
North America Key Account Manager, Stanley Black and Decker
Kristina Berger brings over 17 years of executive management experience and is the North America Key Account Manager at Stanley Black and Decker. She is an avid supporter of various institutions that promote the well-being of children. More importantly she is passionate about our cause. Being a native Californian, as a child she witnessed the exemplary medical attention and volunteer staff support the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles provided to a family member in turn extending her life. Her experience resonated into a philanthropic desire to fulfill our quest to discover treatments, cures, and most importantly preventative measures that can be implemented within our medical community and taught to the general public so that we can decrease the number of illnesses, disorders and injuries that affect children in Michigan as well as globally. This is a lifetime commitment in which she intends to pass along to her children as future philanthropists.
Tom Berman
President and CEO, PEN Inc.
Tom Berman
President and CEO, PEN Inc.
Tom Berman is the President and CEO of PEN, Inc., a small publically traded nanotechnology company. PEN provides innovative solutions to protect, enhance and care for high performance surfaces such as eyewear through specialty cleaners, anti-fog treatments and nano-coatings. Prior to leading PEN, Tom graduated from Detroit Country Day, Michigan State University and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Tom founded Berman Law, PLLC and subsequently joined Ascion, LLC d/b/a Reverie, a Michigan based Sleep Technology company where he served as its Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel. Tom was an Oakland County Commissioner and a member of the Keego Harbor City Council. Tom is a past President of the Michigan Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (“CCF”) and he currently serves on the Leaders for Kids Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation Advisory Board.
Gregory Bockart
Executive Managing Director, Savills
Gregory Bockart
Executive Managing Director, Savills
Greg Bockart Jr., SIOR, is Executive Managing Director of Savills Detroit office, where he leads a team of tenant-focused brokers specializing in office and industrial tenant representation, leasing, consulting, strategic planning, financial modeling, research services, dispositions, and investment sales. For over a decade in commercial real estate, Greg has been a fierce advocate for corporations and individuals on a local, national and global level. Greg’s clients benefit from his extensive background in structuring and negotiating commercial leases, developing comprehensive and strategic real estate plans, and delivering results based on each client’s unique business or investment requirements. Through creative negotiations, Greg has achieved significant cost reductions and has strategically aligned his clients’ real estate requirements with their business and financial objectives across a broad range of industries, including legal, professional services, industrial and the technology/advertising/media/information services sector.
Greg joined Savills in 2019 after nearly five years with Colliers International, where he served most recently as senior vice president. He was president of Distinguished Partners Commercial Real Estate Group for two years and before that, he was vice president at Advocate Commercial Real Estate Advisors for seven years. .
AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
Greg has been named a CoStar Power Broker and is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). He is active in community service, serving as Co-Chair of Leaders for Kids, an advisory board to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation. He is also a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit and Society of Automotive Engineers. ”
Kathleen Borschke
Senior Account Director, The Fulkerson Group
Kathleen Borschke
Senior Account Director, The Fulkerson Group
Kathleen Borschke is an accomplished professional, a proud University of Michigan Alum and a Troy, Michigan native with over 17 years of experience in the sponsorship sales and fulfillment field. She has directed and supported sponsorship efforts for companies including the Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings and IMG before returning home to Detroit in 2010. Borschke plays a key role in managing several Fulkerson Group programs with a primary focus in overseeing the relationship and sales efforts for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and Grand Prixmiere.
In addition, she served as a member of the Networking Business League for the Detroit Pistons board and is the former Co-Chair of the American Heart Association’s young professional’s board where she served for 2 years. Borschke is honored to be part of the 2014 Class of 30 in their 30s for Detroit’s Premier Business Journal, DBusiness as well as a member of the 2016 Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 in 2016.
Jon Colman
Attorney and Counselor, Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras
Jon Colman
Attorney and Counselor, Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras
A shareholder with Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, P.C., Jonathan Colman concentrates his practice in trusts and estates, with a particular focus on trust and estate disputes and administration. Jonathan has been listed in Best Lawyers in America, selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine, and has been designated a “Top Lawyer” by dbusiness magazine. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School, where he was both a Dean’s Scholar and a Lombard Fellow. In addition to Leaders for Kids, Jonathan serves on The Children’s Foundation’s Planned Giving Advisory Council and is a member of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit. Jonathan is particularly committed to youth-focused charities and believes investment in the youngest residents of metro-Detroit will return a better future for everyone.
Charles Dabrowski
Financial Advisor, Palatine Hill Wealth Management
Charles Dabrowski
Financial Advisor, Palatine Hill Wealth Management
Charles Dabrowski provides clients with investment management and wealth advisory services. He is actively involved in the Detroit Community and at the Detroit Athletic Club where he serves on the Club’s Finance Committee, and as the Treasurer of the Intermediate Board. Charles is passionate about issues affecting children. The son of a doctor who has practiced at DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan for many years, Charles spent a considerable amount of time during his formative years around children with health related issues, which fuels his desire to give back to children in need. Charles earned his B.A. from the University of Michigan, his J.D. from Wayne State Law School, and his Masters of Law in Taxation at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Derek Dickow
Founder, Steward Media
Derek Dickow
Founder, Steward Media
As the Founder of Steward Media, a local PR and marketing firm, Derek Dickow, is a power connector to reputable organizations and community leaders throughout Southeast Michigan. Steward Media has built its reputation in fundraising and manages Public and Political Relations for municipalities, various businesses, and non-profit organizations. Derek currently serves his community in many capacities as an activist, organizer and fundraiser. His client base includes members of city council, mayors, judges, state representatives, senators, congressional leaders and presidential candidates. Outside of politics, he is most proud of his fundraising abilities for local charities. He and his team have generated millions of dollars in support of worthy causes over the years, and is excited to serve as a Leaders for Kids Board Member.
Jordan Dizik
Attorney, The Dizik Law Firm, PLLC
Nick Garippa
Senior Associate, Capital Markets, and Compliance, Merrill Corporation
Milan Gandhi
Vice President, Med-Share, Inc.
Milan Gandhi
Vice President, Med-Share, Inc.
Milan Gandhi was born and raised in metro Detroit, attending Detroit Country Day School and The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he earned a bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering and Applied Mathematics. As the leader of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships for Med-Share, Mr. Gandhi has made a name for himself as a tenacious marketer and tireless networker. He has been able to drive sales of his family owned Mobile Diagnostic Imaging business through alignment with key Physician Networks and Independent Medical Groups. Today, Med-Share enjoys a 30+ year track record of strong customer service and tailored service delivery methods. In addition to strong growth in the core Diagnostic Imaging space, Mr. Gandhi is currently focused on the Medical Practice Management division of the operation. By partnering with individual physicians and physician groups to make their practices more profitable, his simple, yet effective model of managing the operations and revenue cycle of the medical practices makes it an attractive alternative for physicians seeking relief from day-to-day operational responsibilities. Mr. Gandhi is Chairman of the Board of the Small Business Association (SBAM) as well as a member the SBAM Political Action Committee Board. He serves on the board of advisors for Governor Snyder for the Integration of Mental and Physical Health Services. He is a member of the Advisory Board to Lotus Bank. He also serves with pleasure as a Board Member of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Ethnic Chambers of Commerce and Leaders for Kids benefiting The Children’s Foundation.
Michael George
President and Associate Broker, GeorgeCo
Michael George
President and CFO, George Enterprises
Michael George is the President and Associate Real Estate Broker of GeorgeCo a collaboration of companies, owned and operated by the George Family. Michael is a key player focusing on strategic direction and new ventures, mergers and acquisitions. In addition to overseeing some of the food related businesses, he is also ventured off into real estate, warehousing, technology, education, entertainment and philanthropy. Through his event planning company, Future Entertainment, Michael produces some of Metro Detroit’s most well-attended charity and holiday parties, and as president of the Michael J. George Charity, he advances his father’s commitment to the community, focusing on causes such as poverty, terminal illness and education.
Richard Haddad
Vice President & General Counsel, Palace Sports & Entertainment and Detroit Pistons
Richard Haddad
Vice President & General Counsel, Palace Sports & Entertainment and Detroit Pistons
Richard Haddad is Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. He oversees corporate and real estate development, human resources, and legal, business and government affairs for PSE, the Detroit Pistons, and related properties and companies, including Pistons Performance, the Palace of Auburn Hills, Pistons GT and the Detroit Pistons Foundation. He also counsels and supports 313 Presents and its venues and properties, including Little Caesar’s Arena, the Fox Theatre, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, and Meadow Brook Amphitheatre.
Before joining PSE in 2012, Richard practiced law at Proskauer Rose LLP in New York, where he represented a broad base of corporate and individual clients in sports, finance, media, entertainment, aviation, real estate and other sectors and industries; and served as a law clerk to Judge Barbara S. Jones of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Richard grew up in Adrian, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School.
Monica Holmes
Monica Holmes
Monica J. Holmes is a student in the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program at the University of Michigan Medical School. In January 2019 she joined the Boyle Lab in the Department of Human Genetics and the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan as a volunteer biomedical researcher. The Boyle Lab combines computational approaches with high-throughput biological assays to better understand the whole human transcriptional regulatory system.
From 2016-2017 Monica was a Major Gifts Officer at the University of Michigan Heath System where she led an Endowed Professorship campaign in the Department of Surgery. She worked for Masco Cabinetry in the Financial Planning and Analysis Department from 2014-2016. As a Financial Analyst, she worked with senior level management to develop line level operating budgets and monthly forecasts. As a Controller, she was responsible for the Retail channel and was the lead analyst in cost reduction plan development and performance tracking of effort resulting in significant year-over-year savings.
Previously she has served as a Board Member of the Junior League and the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and as a member of the Planning Committee for many Michigan nonprofit organizations such as C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, NorthStar Reach, The ChadTough Foundation, and Ele’s Place.
Monica earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Steve Jbara
Owner and Director, Grand Rapids Drive and Jekyll & Hyde Advertising
Steve Jbara
Owner and Director, Grand Rapids Drive and Jekyll & Hyde Advertising
Steve Jbara is President and Founder of the Grand Rapids Drive, the Detroit Pistons’ affiliate NBA G League (formerly NBA Development League) team. In 2014, Steve established the SSJ Group, which is the controlling LLC of the Grand Rapids Drive. This group consists of over 28 C level/business owners from across the country with the sole purpose of owning and operating the Drive. The Drive became the first team in NBA G League history to turn a profit in its inaugural season. Steve has been able to raise metrics for the front office to top 5 in the league in sponsorship revenue, gate receipts, and #1 in team gear/branded items. Steve has started and sold 2 additional companies; one in the CO2 recycling space (focused in microbreweries) and the other a tech startup focused on social status peer influencing shopping based recently acquired by Amazon. Steve is currently working opening a distillery in Brooklyn with C02 distilling technology.
In addition to his duties with the GR Drive, in 2016 Steve took on a new challenge at Jekyll & Hyde Advertising in Detroit. This COO role consists of managing the agency’s entrepreneurial sector which focuses on investment in CPG startup and challenger brands through the agencies internal assets. Steve also is working as on another Detroit startup, WaitTime, which has developed a crowd intelligence software platform for sports and performance venues. Over the last three years, Steve has served as the Managing Director at Migration Asset Management where he continues to build and develop the company’s Midwest clients. Steve has capitalized on his growing network in the Midwest to substantially grow the company’s foundation clients. From 2010 to 2014, Steve worked for R.L. Polk and the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. In this capacity, Steve was responsible for multiple brand campaign projects and automotive related marketing analytical projects.
A graduate of Trine University with a BA in Marketing and Computer Science, Steve was a finalist for NBA Development League Executive of the Year in 2015, News Maker of the Year 2017 and named to the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 under 40 honoree list in 2017. Steve also was finalist in the 2018 Leukemia Lymphoma Man of the Year for his efforts in a 4 month fundraiser. Steve currently sits on the West Michigan Sports Commission Advisory Committee, the Detroit Sports Commission, the Gilmore Car Museum Board, Double-Down Development Board, the NBA’s Team Leadership Committee, The G League’s NBA Broadcast Committee, Endeavor Detroit, Leaders for Kids Advisory Committee, and is a board member at Special Olympics of MI.
Steve is currently in the process of vetting other opportunities for the SSJ Group. These potential investments include minor league baseball, NHL hockey, MLS, and real-estate developments.
Matthew Johnston
Global Real Estate Director, TI Fluid Systems
Matthew Johnston
Global Real Estate Director, TI Fluid Systems
Matthew Johnston is the Global Real Estate Director at TI Fluid Systems. In his role, he is responsible for the real estate and facility activities in respect to the acquisition, utilization, and disposition of TI property. In addition, he provides guidance, support, and consultation on real estate, construction, facility planning and other support functions to over 130 facilities worldwide.
Matthew has always had a passion to help those in need and has helped many charities raise money and awareness in the past. He is excited to be a part of such a great organization and even more excited to help shape it into something more. In addition to serving on the LFK Board, Matt also volunteers for CATCH, Sparky Anderson’s charity for children benefiting both Children’s and Henry Ford Hospital.
Matthew earned his B.A. in Business Management from Northwood University. He resides in Clarkston with his wife Shelley and two daughters, Grace and Eleanor.
Sarah Lewicki
Sarah Lewicki
Sarah Lewicki graduated in 2009 from Grand Valley State University with a B.S in Advertising and Public Relations. Since then, she has had over ten years experience working in the luxury retail and corporate market for Saks Fifth Avenue in Troy, Michigan as well as their corporate flagship office in New York in their marketing, buying and financial planning departments. She has since then transitioned into residential and commercial real estate as a Realtor and head of marketing for Lambrecht Realty in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
Always looking to be more involved and give back to her community, especially those initiatives involving children, she joined Leaders for Kids as a host committee member in 2016, and recently became a Board Member in 2018. In 2016, she also became a member of the Tau Beta Association, a local sorority in Grosse Pointe promoting charitable and philanthropic projects and services to benefit The Children’s Center of Detroit. Their mission is to provide clinical services to those children who struggle with behavioral and developmental challenges or may have experienced trauma.
Sarah is very honored to be on the Board for Leaders for Kids and looks forward to continuing her efforts on behalf of the children in Detroit and Michigan.
Cassandra Varcoe
RN, BSN, Henry Ford Health System, West Bloomfield Hospital Intensive Care Unit
Cassandra Varcoe
RN, BSN, Henry Ford Health System, West Bloomfield Hospital Intensive Care Unit
Cassandra Varcoe is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is actively pursing a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Cassandra works as a model, actress, and spokesperson for many Michigan based companies in the greater Detroit area such as Chrysler, Carhartt, Art Van Furniture, edmund t. Ahee Jewelers, and BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan. She is also training to receive a Federal Aviation Administration private pilot license. In her spare time, Cassandra enjoys traveling, yoga, golf, boating, and cheering on the Detroit sports teams. She also volunteers for CATCH, Sparky Anderson’s charity for children benefiting Children’s Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital.
Kayla Varcoe
Director of Strategy, MRM//McCann
Kayla Varcoe
Director of Strategy, MRM//McCann
Kayla Varcoe is a Director of Strategy at MRM//McCann. Working closely with UX, creative, analytics, and tech teams, Kayla crafts meaningful and measurable strategies rooted in consumer behavior. She has vast experience in B2C and B2B digital marketing with clients including Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Tempur-Sealy, General Motors, and more. Her background is deeply rooted in being able to turn data into actionable insights, testing and optimization plans for driving businesses forward. She has extensive knowledge in research and user testing, customer experience and journey mapping, CRM, website design and migrations, social media, and more.
Prior to MRM//McCann, she worked as a Global Strategist at Commonwealth//McCann in Detroit and was responsible for implementing data driven consumer insights and creating strategic POVs for Chevrolet’s global campaigns and nameplates. Kayla graduated from New York University with Honors in Psychology and Business. She was a Collegiate Research Scholar and recipient of NYU Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund and Banco Santander International Scholarship. Kayla is a member on the Leaders For Kids Advisory Board to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and also volunteers for CATCH, Sparky Anderson’s charity for children benefiting Children’s Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital.
Nick Weise
Principle, Rightsize Facility
Ethan Weisman
Business Development Manager, General Development Company
Ethan Weisman
Business Development Manager, General Development Company
Ethan manages business development activities for General Development Company LLC, emphasizing open communication with tenants. Ethan has steady interaction with service contractors and tenants at each property, and provides valuable insight for all of our tenants’ needs. This enables our property management team to effectively direct the activities at each location and maintain a Class A facility. Ethan is responsible for the implementation and management of the company’s Social Media and Marketing approaches. This includes content strategy, develop brand awareness and technical support, to ensure that all of our clients and projects are represented with the latest technology.Ethan attended Michigan State University where he studied marketing and communications. Ethan also sits on three Boards of various charities in the Metropolitan Detroit Area. Ethan also holds a Real Estate Sales Person License.
Legacy Members
Ajay Chawla
Ajay Chawla
Ajay Chawla is an accomplished multifaceted leader with 17 plus years of experience in executive leadership, business development, and account management. Ajay also has an extraordinary blend of business acumen, operational expertise and technological savvy with a profound knowledge of multiple industries. Ajay was also the founder and Chairman of Toast For Tykes, a non-profit started in 2001. TFT has contributed over $400,000 to various organizations that serve children in southeast Michigan. These organizations include Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Kids Kicking Cancer, University of Michigan Pediatric Burn Unit, Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, and Catch. Ajay spends his spare time giving back to his High School, Brother Rice, where he has served as the lacrosse coach for the last 10 years. Ajay is a graduate from Marymount University in Arlington, VA.
Peter Ginopolis
Peter Ginopolis
Peter joined the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation Board in 2013. Peter specializes in assisting high net worth families with their estate planning and insurance needs. Peter is active in his community and has served as co-chair of the Georgie Ginopolis Golf Classic for Children’s Hospital raising funds for hematology and oncology research. He has also played a role in creating three endowments; Georgie Ginopolis Endowment, the Ginopolis/Karmanos Endowment, and the Endowed Chair for Wayne State University. Peter is co-founder and chair of Leaders for Kids, the Foundation’s advisory board committed to encouraging the philanthropic efforts of the area’s emerging young leaders. He also serves on the executive board and board of trustees of CATCH, Sparky Anderson’s Charity for Children, which benefits both Children’s Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital. He is also the chairman of CATCH’s annual golf outing. In 2000, he was recognized as the Oakland County Executive of the Year. Peter lives in West Bloomfield.
Lorron James
Lorron James
Lorron James graduated from Arizona State University in 2005 and worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team as the Community Affairs Coordinator, before deciding to move back to Detroit to learn the family business, James Group International (JGI). Renaissance Global Logistics (RGL), a subsidiary of JGI, runs the global consolidation export operation for Ford Motor Company, which ships to 16 countries across the world. JGI also has multimodal capabilities for its customers and handles other logistics services for General Motors. Today, Lorron James serves as CEO of James Group International, President of Magnolia Automotive Services (Toyota JV in Mississippi and Indiana) and is President of TLX (Supply Chain Management IT Software). Lorron’s professional/community involvement includes: Detroit Athletic Club - Board of Directors YPO (Southern 7) Part - Owner of Grand Rapids Drive Basketball Team (Detroit Pistons G-League Organization) Children's Foundation Detroit Athletic Club Foundation - Vice President Michigan High School/College Athlete of the Year Selection Committee (DAC) Strategic Planning Committee Vice Chair (DAC) Enrichment Fund (DAC) Membership Committee (DAC) Keyfetch - Investor Henry & Clara Ford Estate Planning Committee The Detroit Sessions
Lorron’s previous professional/community involvement includes:
• Chairman, Detroit Wayne County Port Authority (Mayoral Appointment)
• Financial Review Commission (Gubernatorial Appointment)
• Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Board
• Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
• National Business League/Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce
• Leadership Detroit w/ Detroit Regional Chamber
• Leaders for Kids
• United Way Cabinet
• Emerging Philanthropists
• Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Michigan
• Founders Junior Council w/ Detroit Institute of Arts
Awards:
• Michigan Chronicle – 2017 Men of Excellence
• DBusiness Magazine – 2015 30 in their Thirties
• Central Michigan University - 10 within 10 2015
• Oakland County Michigan – 2014 Elite 40
• Frontpage Detroit – FP 40 Awards 2012
• Minority Business Enterprise - 2012 Rising Star Award – Magnolia Automotive
• Crain’s Detroit Business – Twenty in their Twenties
Planned Giving Advisor Council
Astrid Braeuer
Private Client Services - BDO, Partner
James F. Carr, Jr.
Jon Colman
Attorney, Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras
Joseph DiMauro
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Dan Maidlow
Client Advisor, J.P. Morgan, Vice President
Matt Friedman
Co-Founder, Tanner Friedman
Matt Friedman
Co-Founder, Tanner Friedman
Matt Friedman, Co-Founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications, works directly with clients and leads teams on developing and implementing traditional and emerging communication strategies that support client business objectives. His clients have included an international airline, multiple global pharmaceutical companies and research universities, print and broadcast media companies, top nonprofit organizations, innovative entrepreneurial companies and leading professional service firms. Importantly, Friedman is a recognized crisis communications strategist, helping to guide organizations of all sizes though “bad news” and times of change.
His specialized experience includes working with virtually all facets of health care communications, handling litigation communications for high-profile legal matters, leading media relations operations for major business and political events, and strategic communications projects for multiple Division I college athletic departments and a “Power Five” athletic conference. Friedman is also an experienced media trainer, combining his news and PR experience to create customized training sessions for clients nationwide to learn how to tell their stories and deliver their messages through interviews with journalists.
He began his PR career at a large Detroit firm in the 1990s, after a track record of success in broadcast journalism. Most recently, he was the lead news producer for Detroit station WDIV-TV (NBC)’s 6pm news broadcast, at the time Michigan’s most watched evening news program. He also served as a news producer at WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando, Florida and WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the top news writer on the nation’s highest rated 11pm newscast. Friedman began his professional broadcasting career on-the-air and behind-the-scenes covering news and sports at WWJ-AM radio (CBS) in Detroit. He first started in communications at age 11 as a DJ and sports announcer at Metro Detroit community radio station WBFH-FM, where he eventually became the station’s operations manager. He now frequently serves as a broadcast news and PR analyst for newspapers, magazines, websites, TV and radio stations.
Friedman is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. He served as News Director at WJPZ-FM, at the time the nation’s highest-rated collegiate broadcast outlet. He was inducted into the WJPZ Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to chairing The Children’s Foundation Board, he serves on the Boards of the Legacy Detroit Medical Center, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the Detroit Jewish News Foundation and the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation. He also chairs the Detroit Regional Chamber’s PR/Marketing Advisory Council and serves on the advisory board for the ChadTough Foundation. Earlier in his career, Friedman received recognition for his leadership as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ “40 under 40” and DBusiness magazine’s “30 in their 30s,” for his business and community accomplishments before the age of forty. He resides with his family in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Noah Robinson
Estate Planning Strategies, Wells Fargo Advisors
Mark Smith
Chief Marketing Officer, Northwestern Mutual Troy
David Thoms
Of Counsel, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
Stephen Trudeau
Wealth Management, Trudeau Wealth Management, Sr. VP
Brendan Walsh
President and Managing Partner, Catalyst Solutions Group