In this Alumni Fellow Spotlight, we are catching up with Cornetta Lane. She reflects on her year with Challenge Detroit and current work with the United Way.

Cornetta, how have you been since finishing the year with Challenge Detroit?

Great! I’ve never been more alive.

Tell us about your role at the United Way, and how it has evolved over the past year?

During the Challenge Detroit fellowship, I worked on the marketing team as a project coordinator. I processed marketing requests and created work plans based on those requests. I also participated in planning many cool events like the annual Torch Lighting campaign in Hart Plaza and the High School Graduation Celebration at Ford Field. The project that I am most proud of is the Ford Motor Company campaign. They asked our marketing team to come up with a Ford-centric newspaper headline that promoted a new future of Detroit. I was ecstatic to see my headline plastered to the side of the Ford Motor Company office in Dearborn. The headline reads “Ford Focuses on Making Greater Detroit Greater.” My time as a project coordinator was foundational building a skill set that is translatable to any job—including the job that I have now.

In June 2013, I found a new opportunity within the organization. Mike Brennan, CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, was inspired by the innovations coming out of Stanford University’s d. School. They were applying methods design thinking, a process-based problem solving tool, to intractable social challenges. He wanted to inspire the staff so invited d. School design thinking facilitators to train staff. Since I had already been exposed to design thinking through Challenge Detroit, I saw this as an opportunity to create a non-existent position in the organization. I put together a flip book of what I could bring to the table and a stick-figure pictorial of my possible job opportunities. I presented to the Vice President of the Executive office, she loved it and offered me a contract position. After 3 months of temporary employment, she offered me a full time position.

Some would call me an “early adopter” to this new endeavor. I call myself an “intrapreneur”, a person who seeks new ventures within an organization. Currently, my role is still developing, as it’s only 4 weeks old to date, but I develop and facilitate training opportunities for the organization in design thinking. I go to work every day happy to have a job that I can freely create and activate on something while make an impact. Needless to say, I love my job.

During your time with Challenge Detroit, you had the opportunity to partner with 9 non-profit organizations. How have those experiences impacted your current position and how you approach your work at the United Way?

When we host events at United Way, I run into some familiar faces. These were people who were Challenge Detroit partners.

What do you enjoy most about living in Detroit?

I recently talked to my mentor who just moved to Madison, WS from Detroit. He asked me how Detroit was doing. I told him that even though the city declared bankruptcy, that doesn’t stop the people of Detroit. There is an entrepreneurial spirit here that thrives regardless of the financial circumstances. Detroit is a special place because of the people and spirit that resides here.

What advice do you have for the current class of fellows?

Find someone in leadership who will advocate for you when you ask that ole faithful question: “I would like to make this temporary position, a full time position. Can we make this happen?” You will need that champion when the time comes.