Maleeha Ayub, our 2019-2020 Fellow at Lear Corporation hails from Canton, Michigan. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s in business administration.

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

My host company is Lear Corporation, a global automotive supplier of E-Systems and Seating. Our headquarters are located in Southfield, Michigan. I work in the marketing and communications department as a marketing specialist where I focus on event coordination and internal communications. I handle our global events calendar, create messaging and internal stories for our internal website and work to support the various projects on branding, communications, digital, and events. 

Tell us about the challenge project you’re currently working on; what are you learning from the experience?

Currently we are working with Sinai-Grace Guild Community Development Corporation (SGGCDC) which serves Northwest Detroit. SGGCDC strengthens the neighborhood connection between residents, businesses, and institutions. I am on the branding and communications team and we are working to enhance their communication strategy to seniors in the community. So far we have been able to speak with many seniors in the community and learn about their neighborhoods and how we can support them through this project. We have met so many wonderful people who were more than happy to open up about their stories and experiences.  

How do you hope to impact the community this year?

I hope to impact the community through the work we are doing in our Challenge Projects and the development of relationships made through each project. Making an impact is something that is continuous and I hope to continue serving the community through my talents.    

Please share the most memorable moment you have experienced so far as a Fellow. Why was it memorable and how has it impacted you?

The most memorable moment I experienced was after the completion of our first project with DPSCD. Our Liaison got up after hearing us present our work and began tearing up while expressing how grateful she was for the work that we did. That moment was priceless and it really showed me that the work we are doing is touching the hearts of the people in this community. It gave me so much motivation to continue to put in my one hundred percent in each of these projects.              

How do you believe your fellowship year will shape your career moving forward? 

This fellowship has allowed me to work in a global, Fortune 500 automotive company within the exact field of work that I wanted to be in. Working in such a big corporation has given me the skills to be prepared for the next steps in my life in terms of my career. 

If someone reading your interview is considering applying to be a Fellow, why would you encourage them to apply?

I would tell them to go for it! If you are looking to meet people, get involved in the community and do meaningful work while advancing in your career then this is the fellowship to join. I have made so many great friends and connections and have been able to experience so much more of Detroit that I would not have been able to experience on my own. 

Do you know someone like Maleeha? Encourage them to apply to be a Fellow by March 17!