Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it unique?
I live in Midtown, and it’s all one could ask for living in any city. What makes it unique is how densely packed the cultural opportunities are in the neighborhood. I’ve been enjoying the variety of restaurants, museums, bars, bakeries, and shops around me, but I’ve also really enjoyed exploring other neighborhoods as well. It’s definitely been interesting to be living so close to a college campus now that I am no longer a college student, but I think the familiarity of campus life has made my transition a bit easier.

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far?
Throughout orientation and our first challenge, one of my biggest takeaways has been the truly infinite number of stories and perspectives that make up Detroit. Detroit is certainly not the national media’s portrayal of it, but it’s also not just one neighborhood organizer’s perspective or even just one lifelong Detroiter’s perspective. This realization has been validating for me in that my experience of the city plays a part in its makeup too.

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.
I started as an assurance associate at PwC in August of this year. Specifically, I audit public clients. I am an internal track fellow, so I was already signed on with PwC before I was accepted into Challenge Detroit. I think it’s really incredible that they are sponsoring two fellows this year. Everyone on my team and across the office has been nothing but supportive of me participating in Challenge.

We also asked Amy Casi of PwC to share how Claire’s role as a fellow has furthered PwC’s connect with Detroit.

“Claire has already had the opportunity to build new relationships with not only the fellows but several individuals at non-profits and within the community at large. By living, working and playing within the City, her network has grown. These are relationships she will have for many years to come. In addition, Claire and the previous PwC fellows have shared their experiences and their new relationships with many of their PwC colleagues. Many of the PwC partners and staff have attended the Challenge presentations and events to learn more about the impact of Challenge Detroit on the community.”

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?
I am able to work with people from all over southeast Michigan at PwC, so right now I really see my role as being an ambassador for the city. My transition from an outsider to a Detroiter was largely shaped by those who shared their experiences with me and I hope to pay it forward. As far as my impact within the city, this early in the year I still feel like a bit of an observer. I hope to feel like more of a participant in the trajectory of the city as the year unfolds.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your fellowship year?
After 17 consecutive years of formal education, I’m looking forward to being a student of the city and learning through my experiences here. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to explore museums, try new restaurants, and bike through neighborhoods. I’m looking forward to continuing to do all of this and more. I’m grateful that I’ve been introduced to a community of people in Challenge who also like to learn, to educate themselves about big issues, and to talk about big ideas for the future.

To learn even more about Claire’s time so far as a Fellow click below to watch her spotlight video.