In this week’s Fellow Spotlight, we are checking in with Liz Venatta. She fills us in on what she enjoys most about Detroit, her host company, United Shore Financial Services, and what she enjoys most about being a Challenge Detroit Fellow.

Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it unique and exciting?

Detroit is a fascinating city, full of history and tradition, controversy and skepticism, innovation and entrepreneurship, blight and graffiti, grit and passion. When I moved to the city a year ago, I was unsure of which stories of crime, safety, and policing to believe and which to dismiss so I chose to live in the Midtown area because of the duel police force and lower crime rates.

Midtown is unique in that it attracts young professionals, such as myself, by offering a variety of cultural centers and museums, a university, emerging businesses and restaurants, and a variety of housing options. Midtown has become a hot spot of investment for businesses wishing to establish branches in trendy areas, making Midtown an increasingly walkable, expensive, and gentrified place to call home.

What do you enjoy most about living, working, playing, giving and leading in Detroit?

 Detroit is a city where no person or idea is too small. Everyone knows everyone and the [financial] stakes are lower than many other cities. Because of this, entrepreneurs are less fearful of risk and more compelled to think differently, challenge assumptions and be authentic.

As young professionals in Detroit, my Challenge Detroit cohort and I need not shout for our voices to be heard. It is our job to approach problems by asking questions without judgment and proscribing recommendations for and with the community. Detroit is both proud and humble, oftentimes not even recognizing it’s own tenacity. Living here changes you and makes you reconsider what’s truly important when developing urban communities.

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.

United Shore is a mortgage company in Troy. In fact, it’s the #1 wholesale lender in the country! I started working at United Shore over a year ago as a rotational trainee. After a couple of months in that program, I was offered a position on the training team and have been there ever since. I helped to redesign our leadership program and facilitate segments of the class related to personality styles and effective coaching.

Last week, I helped launch a 40-person internship program—the first in United Shore’s history. This summer, I look forward to designing and facilitating summer workshops for these interns. I have also been tasked with redesigning the rotational program that brought me to United Shore. I look forward to working across our teams to design an engaging work experience and platforms for innovative projects for these recent college graduates!

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far?

I could write expansively on this topic, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. Primarily Challenge Detroit has taught me to never underestimate myself. Throughout the various challenges, I have been exposed to sectors where I had no prior experience—primarily public relations during our transportation challenge with Vehicles for Change and graphic design during our current challenge with the 8 Mile Boulevard Association. In pushing myself to assume these responsibilities and develop these materials, my skillset has expanded and I better understand the complexities that various aspects of human-centered design. 

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?

When I think of impact, I typically think of large-scale development, which is certainly important. Still, the type of impact I would like to have on my company and Detroit as a whole starts with thoughtful questions and dialogue. I would like to help change perceptions of Detroit, especially for those who are fearful of this city.

It is my hope to impact those around me through telling a story of Detroit that is balanced and authentic. I hope that encouraging thoughtful dialogue can bring together people with diverse experiences and opinions and lead to meaningful collaboration. Cities and suburbs have an interdependent relationship and the residents of each in the Detroit area would benefit from more positive exposure to one another.

Reflect on your time as a fellow. What are some of your best memories and how do you hope to finish your year?

Some of my best memories as a fellow are our final presentation days. Oftentimes, our work comes down to the last minute, as 4 weeks never feels like a sufficient amount of time to engage in the design thinking process and develop our deliverables. Still, on that 5^th Friday, we always pull it off! The presentations are honest and inspiring and our dedication to the nonprofit partners and the topic is consistently palpable.

These presentation days also showcase the personal growth of the fellows, as we become more dynamic public speakers with each presentation. The feelings of closeness and accomplishment that follow these Fridays make the previous 4 weeks wholly worthwhile. I may have more time to sleep next year, but I will certainly miss these opportunities!

Also, be sure to check out Liz’s video to learn more about her time in Detroit, so far.