Mariam Makki is a 2021-2022 Fellow. Her hometown is Beirut, Lebanon and she graduated from the James Madison College at Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

Me and my United Way Campaign partners at an Emerging Philanthropy fundraising event at Lumen Detroit

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

My host company is DTE Energy, where I work on the United Way Campaign and Alumni Network streams for the Public Affairs department. DTE is Michigan’s largest and leading energy company. My role, as their Employee Engagement Fellow, is to help involve DTE’s workforce in public-facing engagements; whether it be volunteerism, retiree engagement, or fundraising for DTE’s annual United Way Campaign. Another key role I have is to track metrics for the United Way Campaign fundraising and volunteer efforts, which inform KPIs (or Key Performance Indicators) for our team and department.

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

Our current Project Partner for our second project is the Marygrove Conservancy. My teammates and I are creating a database of service providers within the Live6 / Fitzgerald (Detroit) community for Marygrove’s directory. Marygrove provides their stakeholders and partners with a lot of opportunities; The goal is to stop out-sourcing business needs, and work with community-based organizations. The purpose of the Service Provider Team is to connect these community-based businesses to Marygrove’s operational needs. Through this process, I’m learning the importance of community building and fostering business to business (B2B) relationships both as an institution within the community or as an entrepreneur.

How do you hope to impact the community as a Fellow?

I hope to continue dedicating my time, skills, and knowledge-sharing to help impact the work of our nonprofit partners in the city of Detroit. Whether the work we provide as leaders in our Challenge Projects takes these local Detroit organizations 3 steps or 30 steps ahead in their mission, it’s important work. The deliverables we present to our nonprofit partners at the end of a project are just stepping stones of what is to come. Creating a shared vision for future initiatives in Detroit starts with the conversations facilitated with our partners and teammates throughout each challenge.

Since becoming a Fellow, what new skill/skills have you gained?

Since becoming a Fellow, I have gained confidence when presenting the work I produce. Through my host company, I was able to complete continuous improvement (CI) courses and earn my Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Thus, my data analysis, process mapping, and problem solving skills improved as a result. Through my day-to-day roles, I have also developed my project planning and execution, communication, and excel skills; as I work with my team to improve and streamline our workstreams.

What has been your biggest takeaway from your time as a Fellow so far and how has it impacted you?

Peace signs all the way up for a virtual zoom selfie during a memorable Challenge Finalist Interview day

My biggest takeaway from my time as a Fellow thus far has been the reimagining of the unlimited possibilities of community building. I envision what is possible when communities are given the resources needed for a shot at an equitable, fighting chance.

Also, I have been able to see the trajectories many community leaders take throughout their career; and their different applications of skills from previous roles when new projects take form. For example, meeting Charity Dean, CEO and President of Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance (MDBBA), it was amazing to see how her time working for the city and her work as a lawyer and law professor impacted the way she conducted her work for MDBBA, and the network at her disposal! She impacted the view I had of how leaders can take shape and I’m thankful to have met her and many other brilliant Detroit community leaders through Challenge Detroit.

If someone is reading this and considering applying to be a Fellow, share why you would encourage them to apply?

DO IT! No harm in applying, but so much to gain if selected as a finalist! Challenge Detroit is very much an intentional process and you get out what you put in. Even the finalist interview process is an immense learning and engagement opportunity, and I left with impactful memories. I have been able to connect with people from all over the country, as we navigate challenging but rewarding projects for our partners in the Detroit community; As well as navigating the post-COVID-19 world, as we engage in a safe way. Define your leadership style, develop professionally, form new connections, and give back to the greatest city! Even if you think you know Detroit, this fellowship is designed to give you a fresh lens.