{"id":15381,"date":"2016-04-11T07:00:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T07:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?post_type=blogpost&p=15381"},"modified":"2016-04-11T07:00:58","modified_gmt":"2016-04-11T07:00:58","slug":"fellow-spotlight-kelsey-stein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/fellow-spotlight-kelsey-stein\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellow Spotlight: Kelsey Stein"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us about your typical weekend in Detroit, where do you go, what do you enjoy and what are a\u00a0few of your favorite spots?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Weather permitting; I like to try to do as much outdoors as I can. Biking around the city was what first\u00a0introduced me to the area and I frequently enjoy a\u00a0Saturday\u00a0morning ride to Eastern Market. I also\u00a0enjoy trying out all the new spots that keep opening up. Motor City Brewing Works is still my favorite\u00a0however. It’s so great!<\/p>\n

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First and foremost, Challenge Detroit has introduced me to a variety of projects and organizations\u00a0around the city that I was previously unaware of. The opportunity to work with so many great people\u00a0and benefit from the exposure that comes with working in the various neighborhoods has opened me\u00a0to new ideas and new ways of thinking.<\/p>\n

I’ve always viewed Detroit as a unique opportunity, and this experience has not only confirmed that but\u00a0also demonstrated the positive change that can result from formulating solutions through creative\u00a0thinking and innovation. Much of what we do through Challenge Detroit aligns with the overall mission\u00a0of the city, and that’s something I care deeply about.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I work for DTE Energy, a Detroit based utility company. As a member of the Health and Wellness\u00a0team, my job is focused on improving the health of our employees. Broadly speaking that involves\u00a0work on a number of different projects, including neighborhood revitalization work and economic\u00a0development projects like the Grand River park space and bike sharing programs. My days are quite\u00a0varied which helps to keep me on the move.<\/p>\n

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an employee at DTE Energy for the past three years, I’m in the unique situation of already having\u00a0familiarity with my host company. Challenge Detroit has taught me to tackle a variety of issues using a\u00a0stepwise approach that emphasizes adaptable and amenable design thinking. My goal is for this\u00a0experience to reverberate back into my work at DTE and ultimately translate into new projects that\u00a0blend my prior experience with this new approach.<\/p>\n

What Challenge Project have you enjoyed the most and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Working to create the neighborhood business directory stands as my favorite Challenge Project thus\u00a0far. As our first Challenge, it allowed us the opportunity to explore the city and research a number of\u00a0businesses I was otherwise unaware of. I also enjoyed working alongside local government and the\u00a0city of Detroit. I knew very little about the districts prior to the project and through our experience I\u00a0came to appreciate a variety of local businesses and their surrounding communities. Overall, it peaked\u00a0my curiosity in Detroit and revealed to me just how expansive the city really is.<\/p>\n

Check out Kelsey’s spotlight video for a glimpse in to her adventures as a fellow as well.<\/p>\n