Our Alumni Fellows

The Challenge Detroit Alumni

Today our alumni graduates are launching businesses, starting and serving nonprofits, playing leadership roles in their organizations (including working at Challenge Detroit!), continuing to work at their host companies, and loving living in Detroit.

Where are they now?

Cornetta Lane

Year One Alumna

Cornetta was chosen as one of hundreds of applicants to be a Challenge Detroit Fellow in our inaugural year. A lifelong Detroiter, Cornetta was deeply connected to and passionate about her community. She spent her year placed with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) and was hired on after the program. UWSEM was so impressed by Cornetta that she was given free rein to create her dream job at the organization; she decided to focus her efforts on human centered design. Soon enough, it was time to embark on her own mission-driven organization. Seeing a need to connect new Detroiters with longtime residents in her childhood neighborhood, Cornetta struck out on an entrepreneurial adventure launching Core City Stories. She continues to develop and launch creative, community-oriented initiatives, such as Pedal to Porch, a neighborhood bike ride with stops along a route where residents use their front porch as a stage to tell their story and celebrate neighborhood history, and most recently, Dinner for 30, which bridges cultural gaps through live storytelling and cooking in Detroit. Today, Cornetta continues to grow her skills and contribute her talents attending University of Detroit Mercy's Masters in Community Development program and working in the Office of Economic Development at Wayne State University. Cornetta is just one example of an individual launching their career and, in her case, a social movement, through Challenge Detroit.

Rory Lincoln

Year Four Alumnus

Rory was chosen as one of hundreds of applicants to be a Challenge Detroit Fellow in our fourth year. A native Michigander with a passion for adventure, upon graduating college Rory spent two-years in Madagascar as a Peace Corps volunteer. His time there only deepened his desire for adventure... in his home state. Upon returning to Michigan, he saw an opportunity to impact the city through Challenge Detroit. Rory consistently shined as a leader during his year as a Fellow and was personally passionate about our community development project where he helped design a bus shelter prototype. After his fellowship year, Rory took initiative and expanded on this project, starting a community-based initiative building these bus shelters across other underserved Detroit neighborhoods. This endeavor, along with his advocacy for public transit and bike riding, helped open the door to being hired at one of our collaborating partner organizations - MOGO Detroit - where he helped launch Detroit's first bike share program. Beyond his day-to-day role at MOGO Detroit, Rory mentors and tutors youth across the city. Rory is just one example of an individual catalyzing his career and committing to his passion through Challenge Detroit.

2018-2019 (Year SEVEN) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Addison Mauck
    Host CompanyDTE Energy Foundation
  • Alexandra Borromeo
    Host CompanyFord Motor Company
  • Ayesha Miah
    Host CompanyGoodwill Industries
  • Carmen Gibes
    Host CompanyWaitTime
  • Chelsea Coss
    Host CompanyGoldfish Swim School
  • Claire Antrassian
    Host CompanyQuinn Evans Architects
  • Danielle El-Amin
    Host CompanyDetroit Land Bank Authority
  • Emma Hays
    Host CompanyClark Hill
  • Hind Ourahou
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Idrees Mutahr
    Host CompanyDetroit Regional Chamber
  • Jarrett Sanders
    Host CompanyDetroit Land Bank Authority
  • JeNiece Freeman-Holt
    Host CompanyThe Platform
  • Jocelyn Aptowitz
    Host CompanyMichigan Opera Theater
  • Julian Rucker
    Host CompanyOneMagnify
  • Kaitlyn Bushbaker
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Makenzie Furber
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Meghan Strickland
    Host CompanyUCHC
  • Parker Jean
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Sarah Gargaro
    Host CompanyDetroit Land Bank Authority
  • Tina Saad
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Zachary Baker
    Host CompanyChevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear
  • Zienab Fahs
    Host CompanyIFF
2017-2018 (Year SIX) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Alana Tucker
    Host CompanyDowntown Detroit Partnership
  • Alexis Davis
    Host CompanyEquity Education
  • Arnesha Jennings
    Host CompanyGoodwill Green Works
  • Brandi Davie
    Host CompanyCrestmark Bank
  • Daniel McDougall
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Danielle Partyka
    Host CompanyDTE Energy Foundation
  • Elise Kendall
    Host CompanyOneMagnify
  • Emma Ottenhoff
    Host CompanyGoodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
  • Eric Lofquist
    Host CompanyDetroit Parent Network
  • Folake Oyegbola
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Hannah Miller
    Host CompanyForgotten Harvest
  • Jasmine Mack
    Host CompanyChamber Music Society of Detroit
  • Jodi Hicks
    Host CompanyPWC
  • Johnnie Wagman
    Host CompanyLEAR Corporation
  • Kelly Perez
    Host CompanyWaitTime
  • Kristen Davis
    Host CompanyHamilton Anderson Architects
  • Lauren Wright
    Host CompanyQuicken Loans Community Investment Fund
  • Madison Schillig
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Matthew Schmitt
    Host CompanyTeenHype
  • Medvis Jackson
    Host CompanyDetroit Homecoming
  • Megan O’Brien
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Montinique Lynch
    Host CompanyChevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear
  • Rachel Pawluszka
    Host CompanyClark Hill
  • Robert Luzynski
    Host CompanyThe Stewardship Network
  • Summar Abdelnour
    Host CompanyRock Ventures, LLC
2016-2017 (Year FIVE) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Adam Coppersmith
    Host CompanyFusco, Shaffer & Pappas , Inc.
  • Alex Bloomquist
    Host CompanyPWC
  • Alexander Mayo
    Host CompanyRecoveryPark
  • Alicia Blake
    Host CompanyChevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
  • Andrea Stegeman
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Anne Duerr
    Host CompanyWayne County Community College District
  • Athena Grills
    Host CompanyMarketing Associates
  • Brooke Tiller
    Host CompanyGoldfish Swim School
  • Cassi Meitl
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Claire Babala
    Host CompanyBrooks Kushman
  • Claire Huttenlocher
    Host CompanyFiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Claire McCarthy
    Host CompanyPWC
  • Deleah Sharp
    Host CompanyHenry Ford Health System
  • Demond Childers
    Host CompanyClark Hill
  • Elizabeth Stanfel
    Host CompanyRossetti
  • Erin Cardwell
    Host CompanyLevel One Bank
  • Esther Okunrounmu
    Host CompanyGTB
  • Everett McMillen Cislo
    Host CompanySachse Construction
  • Gabrial Taylor
    Host CompanyRock Ventures, LLC
  • Gregory Hardy
    Host CompanyLEAR Corporation
  • Ian McCain
    Host CompanyDetroit Experience Factory
  • Jarrett Waddy
    Host CompanyUniversity of Phoenix
  • Jeffrey Lewis II
    Host CompanyDetroit Future City
  • Julia Kowalski
    Host CompanyDetroit Collaborative Design Center
  • Kelsey Hubbell
    Host CompanySlow Roll
  • Kendra Ollis
    Host CompanyTalmer Bank & Trust
  • Laura Winningham
    Host CompanyGoodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
  • Lauren Strauss
    Host CompanyQuinn Evans Architects
  • Mariisa Franz
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Michael Swafford
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Miranda Day
    Host CompanyEcoWorks
  • Natalie Punzak
    Host CompanyHamilton Anderson Architects
  • Nicole Justian
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Paulette Bolofer
    Host CompanyHorizons Upward Bound
  • Peter Walle
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Poonam Narotam
    Host CompanyFord Motor Company
  • Rachael Aptowitz
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Ryan Hebert
    Host CompanyRock Ventures, LLC
  • Shaina Davidson
    Host CompanyEcoWorks
  • Yesenia Castaneda
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
2015-2016 (Year FOUR) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Amelia Suarez
    Host CompanyTelegration
  • Annie Gough
    Host CompanyBeaumont Health System
  • Chisom Uzosike
    Host CompanyDoner
  • Christopher Johnstone
    Host CompanyPM Environmental
  • Clare Lilek
    Host CompanyCenter for Financial Planning
  • David Engel
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Devon O’Reilly
    Host CompanyDetroit Regional Chamber
  • Devon Seery
    Host CompanyHamilton Anderson Architects
  • Emily Kempa
    Host CompanyClark Hill
  • Ephraim Clark
    Host CompanyUnited Way
  • Eric Laksonen
    Host CompanyTeam Detroit
  • Eric Silverstein
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Gabriela Santiago-Romero
    Host CompanyDetroit Lions
  • Geraldine Chi
    Host CompanyMango Languages
  • Grace DeMeulenaere
    Host CompanyFiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Harsha Nahata
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Imani Mchunu
    Host CompanyDetroit Future City
  • Kayleigh Roy
    Host CompanyRock Ventures, LLC
  • Kelsey Stein
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Kyla Carlsen
    Host CompanyBrooks Kushman
  • Michael Kurfess
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Michael Paciero
    Host CompanyRossetti
  • Michael Plotz
    Host CompanyMarketing Associates
  • Mikayla Cutlip
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Nadir Ali
    Host CompanyChevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
  • Nick Najor
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Paulina Kriska
    Host CompanyGoodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
  • Rory Lincoln
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Ryan Dillon
    Host CompanyPWC
  • Taylor Blackston
    Host CompanySME
2014-2015 (Year THREE) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Alison Figliomeni
    Host CompanyTelegration
  • Alissa Sevrioukova
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Alyssa Brown
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Amanda Gettgen
    Host CompanyMarketing Associates
  • Ann Phillips
    Host CompanySaroki Architects
  • Anna Schroen
    Host CompanyDetroit Lions
  • Annie Hakim
    Host CompanyRecoveryPark
  • Bethany Felder
    Host CompanyCarat
  • Branden Bufford
    Host CompanyWayne County Community College District
  • Brittany Stallworth
    Host CompanyBeaumont Health System
  • Carmen Bojanowski
    Host CompanyBrooks Kushman
  • Courtney Hardebeck
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Courtney McCall
    Host CompanyPlante Moran
  • Elizabeth Grabowski
    Host CompanyMosher Dolan
  • Ellen Trudell
    Host CompanySME
  • Ezekiel Harris
    Host CompanyUnited Way
  • Hayden McNeil
    Host CompanyPM Environmental
  • Ifeanyi Nwachukwu
    Host CompanyPWC
  • Jason Aoraha
    Host CompanyMango Languages
  • Jazmyn Becker
    Host CompanyTeam Detroit
  • Jennifer Ehrhardt
    Host CompanyHospice of Michigan
  • Jessica Wang
    Host CompanyMango Languages
  • Jonathan Ganci
    Host CompanyNew Urban Learning
  • Kenneth Andejeski
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Kristina Wilson
    Host CompanyChevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
  • Larry Latimore
    Host CompanySuburban Collection
  • Liz Venatta
    Host CompanyUnited Shore Financial Services
  • Martha Cavazos
    Host CompanyFiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Nicholas Prys
    Host CompanySouthwest Solutions
  • Rachel Rosenbaum
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Sarah Robb
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Sarms Jabra
    Host CompanySkidmore Studio
  • Seth Haug
    Host CompanyClark Hill
2013-2014 (Year TWO) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Alexandra Zisser
    Host CompanyMichigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Alyssa Cook
    Host CompanySachse Construction
  • Anna Balzer
    Host CompanyPM Environmental
  • Ben Newton
    Host CompanyMarketplace Homes
  • Brandi Keeler
    Host CompanyUnited Way
  • Calyssa Lawyer
    Host CompanyDetroit Lions
  • Carlos Spearman
    Host CompanyUnited Shore Financial Services
  • Cody Grant
    Host CompanyStrategic Staffing Solutions
  • Corissa Leveille
    Host CompanyEight Mile Boulevard Association
  • Darin McLeskey
    Host CompanySME
  • Elizabeth Machesky
    Host CompanyePrize
  • Fares Ksebati
    Host CompanyChallenge Detroit
  • Jaber Saad
    Host CompanyHospice of Michigan
  • Katie Dictus
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Kirsten Bondalapati
    Host CompanyHospice of Michigan
  • Kyla Elise Taylor
    Host CompanyCornerstone Charter Schools
  • Laurie Asava
    Host CompanyGeneral Motors
  • Max Kurek
    Host CompanyCBS Detroit
  • Meagen Mazur
    Host CompanyMarketing Associates
  • Meiyi Cheng
    Host CompanyMango Languages
  • Melissa Campbell
    Host CompanyRock Ventures, LLC
  • Miguel Davis
    Host CompanyMacro Connect
  • Rosemary Williamson
    Host CompanyFiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Roy Yewah
    Host CompanyCrestmark Bank
  • Ruth McLachlin
    Host CompanyUrban Science
  • Samantha Szeszulski
    Host CompanySaroki Architects
  • Sarah Somes
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Shivani Naik
    Host CompanyBrooks Kushman
  • Thomas Schuelke
    Host CompanyBeaumont Health System
  • Tiandra Nicole Hodge
    Host CompanySuburban Collection
  • Tiara Adams
    Host CompanyTeam Detroit
2012-2013 (Year ONE) Alumni Fellows ARCHIVE view +
  • Asia Gholston
    Host CompanyePrize
  • Ben Hershey
    Host CompanyhiredMYway.com
  • Betsy Berens
    Host CompanyMarketing Associates
  • Bithiah Lee
    Host CompanyValassis
  • Brittany Sanders
    Host CompanyFocus Hope
  • Bryce Gamper
    Host CompanySpire Integrated Systems, Inc.
  • Caroline Dobbins
    Host CompanyhiredMYway.com
  • Caroline Gersch
    Host CompanyTrott & Trott
  • Cerima Thomas
    Host CompanyMacro Connect
  • Cornetta Lane
    Host CompanyUnited Way
  • Darin Gross
    Host CompanyMarketplace Homes
  • Irene Crile
    Host CompanyDSM / DEP Americas
  • Isaac Gilman
    Host CompanyBill Highway
  • Jacqueline Smith
    Host CompanyUrban Science
  • James Serbinski
    Host CompanyBrooks Kushman
  • Jared Berman
    Host CompanyMango Languages
  • Jason Rose
    Host CompanyTeam Detroit
  • Jason Zogg
    Host CompanyDTE Energy
  • Kathy Tian
    Host CompanyCornerstone Charter Schools
  • Leigh Ann Ulrey
    Host CompanyCompuware
  • Marlo Staples
    Host CompanyUniversity YES Academy
  • Maryann Palazzolo
    Host CompanyMans Lumber
  • Samuel Brennan
    Host CompanyEdward C. Levy
  • Sarah Grieb
    Host CompanyFiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Vadim Avshalumov
    Host CompanyQuicken Loans
  • Zac Berlin
    Host CompanyCredit Acceptance