“Challenge Detroit gives you an amazing opportunity to meet spectacular people. The people in my cohort have become my true friends, and the people that we work with inspire me. Challenge Detroit also helps develop your leadership and design skills. Each fellow gets a unique opportunity to take lead on team projects and we also learn and utilize design thinking to develop deliverables. Design thinking has revolutionized how I operate in my personal and work life. I am truly thankful to be a part of Challenge Detroit and I hope anyone interested in applying has the opportunity to experience and learn from this fellowship. ” – Kellen Harding
Live, Work, Play, Give, Lead
LIVE: My life as a Challenge Detroit Fellow fills me with purpose. Each Friday I get to learn about Detroit, its people, and the beautiful spirit that connects everyone in the city. From the historic neighborhoods to the grassroots organizations that bring Detroiters together, every moment in this program enriches my life, and the lives of others around me.
WORK: As a Project Engineer at Mosher Dolan, my weekdays are full of drawings, meetings, schedules, and paperwork. As a Project Engineer, I get to help our Project Managers consult General Contractors on the Ins and Outs of building Goldfish Swim Schools. I also help write subcontracts for the residential side of Mosher Dolan, where they help build custom homes all throughout the Metro Detroit area.
PLAY: Fridays bring a shift from the traditional office feel to a free and collaborative space. Challenge Detroit Fridays incorporate play into my professional life. Creativity takes center stage as we dive into the world of design thinking, exploring unconventional solutions to complex challenges. It’s the flow of ideas, a fun and collaborative event that transforms obstacles into opportunities.
GIVE: Embedded in the spirit of Detroit is a profound sense of community and giving. On Leadership Fridays, we often participate in different acts of service. Engaging in the community and absorbing the wisdom of local leaders, we reciprocate the city’s warmth. Giving is not just a box we check off, it’s a philosophy woven into the very fabric of our fellowship. It’s the shared commitment to uplift the community that fuels our purpose as a cohort.
LEAD: In this unique experience of Challenge Detroit, leadership emerges as a naturally learned attribute. Whether at Mosher Dolan or during our Challenge Detroit projects, the fellowship equips me with the tools to lead from behind. Serving, connecting, and leading those around you is what Challenge Detroit is all about. It’s not just about projects, it’s about the people we meet and the connections we make.
This is me in my home state of Washington!
ABOUT: Hello, My name is Kellen Harding. I grew up in Lake Stevens, Washington and moved to Michigan to go to Lawrence Technological University. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing and I love to spend my free time designing, painting, and watching movies. I am currently a project Project Engineer at Mosher Dolan.