Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Michigan for 2023. Michigan’s diverse economy encompasses various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, the automotive industry, healthcare, tourism, and technology. Historically, this state has been known as a hub for automobile manufacturing, with major companies such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler having a significant presence in the state. This year’s awardees perform exceptionally in their leadership roles while bringing an enhanced perspective, making them role models to not only their peers but those who will follow in their footsteps. Their commitment and efforts have had a broad social and economic impact in the state and beyond.
Among this year’s awardees is Michelle Rabideau, President of Saint Mary's Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Mercy Health Saint Mary's. Rabideau has led major fundraising efforts at the organization, raising more than $100 million in the last 25 years. Awardee Shelley Fiore, the President and Chief Operating Officer of MassMutual Great Lakes is one of the select few females in the industry to hold a similar position. She dedicates herself to teaching new financial professionals as well as veteran professionals how to launch to a higher level in the field. Also awarded is Elena Ford, Chief Customer Experience Officer of Ford Motor Company, who leads Ford’s organization responsible for creating a world-class customer experience throughout the entire ownership cycle.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Massachusetts for 2023.
1. Alicia Davis
Chief Strategy Officer, Lear Corporation
Alicia Davis is Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Lear Corporation. In this role, Alicia leads the Corporate Strategy and Development group, which works with the executive team to develop and drive Lear’s global strategy, coordinates the strategic planning process, and executes value-enhancing acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments. Previously, she held the role of SVP of strategy and corporate development.
Davis joined Lear from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was a professor and the associate dean for strategic initiatives and focused her teaching and research on corporate governance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. She continues to teach at the Law School as a professor from practice. She was previously a corporate lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis and before that an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and Raymond James, where she served as a VP.
Davis has an undergraduate degree in business administration from Florida A&M University, a JD from Yale Law School, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a member of the board of directors of US Steel Corporation.
2. Elena Ford
Chief Customer Experience Officer, Ford Motor Company
Elena Ford is the Chief Customer Experience Officer of Ford Motor Company. She is an executive leader spearheading the future of customer experiences in the automotive and mobility industries. As Chief Customer Experience Officer, Elena leads Ford’s organization responsible for creating a world-class customer experience throughout the entire ownership cycle. She is also responsible for integrating the work of Ford Customer Service Division, the Quality organization, Sales and Marketing, and the global dealer network to more tightly connect the interactions between Ford and its customers worldwide.
Since joining the company in 1995, Elena has served in a number of marketing, brand strategy, and business management roles. Among her notable achievements is the development and launch of Ford’s global brand promise: Go Further. She also spearheaded the global rollout of Ford Signature dealership design and has strengthened the company’s dealer relationships in every region it operates, including North America, South and Central America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, through initiatives like establishing the Dealer Advisory Group which she continues to lead.
Elena champions activities to increase literacy skills among young people from low-income families, including a collaboration with the nonprofit First Book which aims to increase access to new books and encourage STEAM education for children. She serves on the boards of FordDirect, Percepta, Southampton Hospital Association, the Forman School, and Fair Lane. She was twice named among the leading women in the auto industry by Automotive News, is active with the Henry Ford Hospital, and is involved in several community and business organizations, including United Way and International Women’s Forum, Michigan.
9. Michelle Rabideau
President, Saint Mary's Foundation
Michelle Rabideau is a national leader in philanthropy raising more than $100 million for various organizations over 25 years. She is currently President of Saint Mary’s Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Trinity Health Grand Rapids. Michelle serves as president of the YWCA West Central Michigan and as vice chair of the National Kappa Delta Foundation boards. She served two terms in public office on the East Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education as well as the Michigan Community Service Commission, which was a Governor-appointed position.
Michelle has been recognized as a recipient of the YWCA Tribute! Award in the Professions category, as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, and with the Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional. She received her Master of Public Administration from Grand Valley State University and her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. She is passionate about health care, empowering women, public education, community service, her family and friends, and traveling.
12. Shelley Fiore
President and Chief Operating Officer, MassMutual Great Lakes
Shelley Fiore is the President and Chief Operating Officer of MassMutual Great Lakes LLC. She chose to build a career in the financial services industry over three decades ago after realizing it gave her the ability to help thousands of Michigan men and women realize their financial dreams. Fiore decided to accept the leadership role at MassMutual in Michigan in 2010 and is one of a select few females in the industry to hold a similar position. She believes her experience as an advisor for more than a quarter century gives her the understanding and credibility to teach new financial professionals as well as help veteran financial professionals launch to a higher level.
Considering her vast knowledge of business continuity planning, tax reduction strategies, investment planning, and estate planning, Fiore has also become an internationally sought-after speaker with audiences that have ranged from 50 to over 10,000. She has spoken for various insurance companies as well as The American College and The Million Dollar Round Table Main Platform. She is a Licensed Insurance Counselor, Chartered Life Underwriter, and Chartered Financial Consultant, multiple time recipient of the Southeast Michigan GAMA Agent of the Year Award, the first woman to hold the presidency of MassMutual Agent's Association, and the third woman to qualify for MassMutual's Exceptional Level of In-Force. A lifelong Michigan resident, she graduated from Michigan State University in 1982 after studying business and accounting.
14. Tricia Bailey
Vice President of Sales, FuturePlan
Tricia Bailey is the Vice President of Sales for FuturePlan. FuturePlan is a category of one, the only TPA offering a full spectrum of creative plan design, strategic consulting, IRS and DOL regulatory compliance services, actuarial practice, and end-to-end plan administration for every plan, with complete independence and flexibility. They are a technologically advanced national organization with the heart and soul of a hands-on business partner. Tricia lives in Waterford, Michigan, and covers all of Michigan and Toledo.
Tricia is an expert in retirement plan design. From helping small businesses get all of their tax credits available with Secure 2.0 to diving into very complex retirement plan design. Tricia is an expert at establishing cash balance plans for high-net-worth business owners who desperately need a tax shelter. Tricia's professionalism, ingenuity, and authenticity help her clients get to the next level.
Tricia is also passionate about giving back to the community through her role in Leadership Oakland as well as various community-based nonprofits such as Let’s Go Detroit and Matrix Human Services. She has been awarded Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to giving back.
15. Coriel Taylor
Managing Director of Strategy & Consulting, Accenture
As a technology strategy executive, Coriel Taylor is a trusted advisor for her clients. Her role involves helping them recognize and drive business value through the technology decisions and investments they make. She is also responsible for overseeing Accenture’s Delivery portfolio for a Midwest Utilities client.
Throughout her 18-year career, Coriel has led complex delivery programs for her clients and sponsored various local and national engagements and partnerships for Accenture. Her background in applied intelligence, digital experience design and development, cloud, and innovation have helped make her a highly sought resource for clients and ecosystem partners.
Coriel is a firm believer in the power of collaborative teams and is passionate about establishing and empowering diverse teams that deliver value. She is a member of the 2020 DBusiness 30 in Their Thirties class, and among other things, serves on the steering committee for NPower’s Command Shift Coalition which focuses on increasing the number of women of color in Technology careers. Coriel is a proud native of Detroit, Michigan where she currently resides with her husband and daughter.
16. Sydney Bonham
AVP of Investor Accounting, Northpointe Bank
Sydney Bonham is the Assistant Vice President of Investor Accounting at Northpointe Bank. With the primary focus to be a sound financial resource for each and every client, and after years of dedication and smart work, Northpointe has held onto this core value and transformed its business into a top influencer of the mortgage industry. Its success has led it to expand its organization in many facets of financial services, such as traditional retail deposits, nationwide mortgage purchasing programs, and community bank fulfillment services. Bonham first joined the bank in 2018 as an investor accounting manager. She has 15 years of experience.
Sydney is a financial professional with proven leadership skills in the mortgage servicing industry. Her propensity for problem-solving and process management yields a consistent record of success in dynamic and challenging environments. From cancer research to mortgage banking, she has demonstrated her attention to detail and commitment to excellence. Before joining Northpointe Bank, Bonham was a zone leader at Steelcase, and before that, an investor reporting analyst at Preferred Mortgage Services Inc (PMSI). She graduated from Dartmouth College with an undergraduate degree in women's and gender studies.
View the complete list of awardees.
17. Patricia Deldin
Vice President of Behavioral Health, Color Health
Professor, University of Michigan
Patricia Deldin is currently a Professor at the University of Michigan in the Departments of Psychology (Clinical and Cognitive areas) and Psychiatry, and Vice President of Behavioral Health at Color Health, Burlingame CA. Before that, she was a professor at Harvard University. She received her undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Iowa and her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She had a short stint at the National Institutes of Mental Health as a post-bac scholar.
Patricia previously held leadership roles at the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center, the first depression center of its kind, as an associate director and then deputy director. She helped launch the National Network of Depression Centers as a founding board member. She has directed the University of Michigan Clinical Psychology program where she helped transform the program into a leading Clinical Science program. She is a past-president and past board member of the Society for Research in Psychopathology, the premiere clinical psychology psychopathology society.
Historically, Patricia’s research program focused on transdiagnostic neural correlates of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. More recently, her research program has focused on Mood Lifters, a mental wellness program, where she has nearly a dozen articles in various stages of publication. Dr. Deldin and her students created Mood Lifters as a way to help many people who can't or won't get traditional care worldwide have access to low-cost, effective, evidence-based mental health care. In addition to creating the program, Dr. Deldin is a Mood Lifters leader and participated as a member.
19. Kari Bliss
Principal of Sustainability, PADNOS
With over 20 years of experience, Kari Bliss leads Sustainability at PADNOS, an industrial recycler of paper, plastics, metals, and electronics. Her expertise in materials allows her to capitalize on circular economy market trends. Her team developed 36 solutions for complex circular economy challenges faced by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Kari is a GreenBiz certified professional leading the sustainability transformation, She is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, a board member of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, and the treasurer of the Society of Plastic Engineers Recycling Division. Kari is a result-driven leader skilled at developing sustainability initiatives. Her ability to establish trust with a diverse array of customers, and identify what they value, brings all the necessary stakeholders together to solve complex circular economy challenges.
21. Ivy Tran
Chief Financial Officer, Xenith
Ivy Tran serves as an Operating Partner at Volte. Volte partners with organizations to provide financial, operational, and technology advisory services, equity, as well as interim and permanent management services. At Volte, Ivy provides restructuring guidance to organizations, specializing in financial, operational, digital, and eCommerce transformation.
Currently, she serves as Chief Financial Officer at Xenith, a Volte portfolio company. She formerly served as COO for Fathead. As a previous Deloitte professional and research scientist, she has served multinationals in the automotive, industrial products, pharmaceutical, software & technology, and consumer goods industries. Her experience with engagements during her professional career involves business model optimization, in-depth financial analysis, global and domestic compliance documentation, IP planning/migration, domestic and international restructuring, financial audit support, technology transformations, large-scale data migration and analysis as well as standing up and executing several research projects.
Ivy graduated from The University of Michigan with a Master of Applied Economics focused on financial economics and a Master of Public Policy focused on statistical evaluation and policy analysis. In addition, during her time in graduate school, she received a graduate certificate in science, technology, and public policy. She also holds an Honors Bachelor of Science in biological chemistry from the University of Michigan.
22. Alicia Córdoba
President, Aquinas College
Alicia Córdoba is the ninth President of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before joining Aquinas, she served as the inaugural Beirne Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. In February 2022, she was promoted from distinguished chair to associate vice president acknowledging her service to the institution. Córdoba served from January 1998 to May 2018 at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, as director of the Center for Mission and Identity, assistant to the president for mission integration, interim director of campus ministry, chair of the departments of music and fine and performing arts, and professor of music.
She received her undergraduate and master’s music degrees in oboe performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and from The Juilliard School in New York City, she was the first woman to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in English horn performance. Córdoba has taught a variety of courses in music and the humanities, and consults and presents on topics related to leadership development, strategic planning, critical thinking, Catholic mission and identity, musical performance, and musicianship. As an active performer on the oboe, oboe d’amore, and English horn, Córdoba has performed throughout Europe, North, and South America, and in Australia, and continues to commission new works in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
24. Micah Hood
Chief of Staff of Detroit Department of Transportation, City of Detroit
Micah Hood is the Chief of Staff of the Detroit Department of Transportation of the City of Detroit. The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is the largest public transit provider in Michigan that serves the City of Detroit, surrounding suburbs, and neighboring cities, including Highland Park and Hamtramck. DDOT prides itself on providing reliable, clean, safe, and efficient service to an average of 85,000 riders daily. Hood has 9 years of experience. She began her career in 2014.
Micah is a dynamic professional manager with years of experience within city government. Her experience runs deep within formulating, presenting, and executing operating budgets and superior analytical skills. She is a strong communicator and relationship builder, experienced in successful interactions with senior municipal government and civilian officials, private companies, community organizations, and the general public. Hood graduated from Grand Valley State University with an undergraduate degree in communication and media studies.
25. Mary Kratz
Executive Vice President, Interoperability Institute
Mary Kratz is the Executive Vice President of the Interoperability Institute. She is a leader in the field of biomedical informatics, working at the intersection of interoperability, telemedicine, and business development. As a senior health informatics advisor to the United States Department of State, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, and Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, Mary implemented health information systems in over 40 countries, primarily low and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mary previously assisted the World Health Organization, International Telecommunication Union, United States Agency for International Development, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine in formulating and articulating policy, position, and response to current and emerging technologies and enabling interoperability across a variety of public and private organizational missions.
Starting her career in research and clinical laboratories at the University of Michigan Health System, Mary quickly transitioned into managing complex enterprise-wide computer deployments. She chaired several Standards Development Organization committees for Health Level Seven, Object Management Group, and the International Standards Organization. Under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, Mary was recruited to work for the US Government. She served as a contracting officer representative at the US Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center at Fort Detrick. She was Internet2’s initial Health Sciences director, implementing next-generation Internet for academic organizations in the United States and globally, before taking a position with the US Government.
26. Nicole Gregory
CEO, Urban You
Nicole Gregory is the CEO of Urban You, Michigan’s #1 medical spa, as well as luxury online skincare site Urban You For Me and on-demand staffing platform PinchGig. Many years ago, she had difficulty finding one location that fulfilled all of her traditional beauty needs. The Urban You was created from that gap in the industry. Over the last 6 years, they have opened 4 locations in Grand Rapids and Northville, MI.
Nicole’s dedication and passion for the medical spa industry has granted her the title of Key Opinion Leader and national speaking opportunities at AmSpa, Octane - Aesthetics and Technology, Women in Technology, and other industry-specific topics. She has decades of experience in entrepreneurship, technology, marketing, and real estate, having served as a high-level executive in multiple Fortune 500 companies.
Nicole is the president and chairperson for the Michigan Medical Spa Association where she’s creating a new standard and defining the Michigan med spa industry by focusing on patient advocacy with qualified medical directors. She also hosts The Beauty Standard podcast, which highlights providers and brand owners who reinvent the standard of their expertise. Nicole’s successes are measured through the growth of the kind and hardworking staff at Urban You, which results organically in consistent growth in revenue and an increase in locations across Michigan.
View the complete list of awardees.
27. Danielle Hilliker
President and Chief Executive Officer, Southeastern Michigan Health Association
Danielle Hilliker is a social justice warrior and community change advocate passionate about issuing societal change in the sector of nonprofits. Danielle serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southeastern Michigan Health Association (SEMHA), historically leading in the advancement of public health for Southeastern residents since 1956. SEMHA is committed to improving the population's health outcomes to advance equity in healthcare for Michigan.
Danielle has consulted and led a variety of nonprofits in various sectors; from PYXERA Global to the Capitol of the United States of America, and Michigan Women’s Foundation. During her tenure, she was awarded as a fellow with the Cross-Generational Women Leaders in Washington DC, to partner with young and senior women leaders on key issues at the local, state, and national level.
Danielle has served as a board member for Teen Hype, Community Development Advocates of Detroit, and on the D&I Council for Troy School District. She has immersed herself in the fight for systemic change, and she focuses on issues of social justice, equity, social determinants of health, and community development work. Danielle holds a master’s degree from Spring Arbor University, concentrating in management organizational development, and is currently pursuing her PhD in public policy and administration focusing on international nongovernmental organizations.
30. Jenifer Neptune
Chief Visionary Officer and Co-Founder, Boutique Hotel Professionals
Jenifer Neptune, Chief Visionary Officer for Boutique Hotel Professionals (BHP), launched BHP with Co-Founder and CEO Paul Wegert in response to the growing demand for boutique and independent hotels. She focuses on the strategic direction and business development for BHP.
Jenifer’s involvement in the hospitality industry spans over 15 years in sales, marketing, and business development for management companies and properties. Additionally, she oversees the operations of Inspired Pineapple, BHP’s in-house marketing agency specializing in branding and market strategies for independent hotels, event and golf venues, restaurants, and spas.
Jenifer loves to be blown away by unique travel experiences and is passionate about creating over-the-top guest experiences. Her active involvement with AHLA includes her role as an Ambassador for ForWard: Women Advancing Hospitality. She earned her degrees in international business and finance at Westmont College, Universität des Saarlandes, and Boise State University.
31. Whitney Weiner
Founder & CEO, Whole Dental Wellness
Whitney Weiner was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa by two incredible parents that instilled in her a lust for learning and adventure. An overachiever from the get-go, Dr. Weiner excelled in academics and earned a full ride to The Colorado College. A Midwestern girl at heart, she returned home to attend graduate school at the prestigious University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where she was awarded for her outstanding achievement in periodontics. She followed that by perfecting her craft in a postgraduate program in periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago and earning a master’s degree in oral sciences, focusing on the genetic ties to inflammatory diseases.
Earlier in her career, Whitney joined a boutique periodontal office for a short while but quickly learned that she wanted to set her sights higher and open her own group practice with an emphasis on the connection between oral health and overall health, thus the creation of Whole Dental Wellness. In addition, she took over a specialty practice that focuses not only on periodontics but endodontics and oral surgery as well. She plans to open multiple locations in the future to expand the Whole Wellness concept that she is so passionate about.
It’s no wonder that this overachiever has been named a Top 25 Women in Dentistry and the Most Interesting Person in Dentistry and is a 2-time winner of 40 under 40 all while lecturing nationally and internationally to share her breadth of knowledge to dental professionals that like her, strive to be the best in their chosen careers. While she is a proud philanthropist, friend, mentor, and visionary, she is most proud of her role as a wife and mother to her three energetic boys.
32. Courtney Smith
Founder & CEO, Detroit Phoenix Center
Courtney Smith is the Founder & CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center. She built an award-winning nonprofit organization providing housing, basic needs, education, and essential wrap-around services to children, youth, and families transitioning from homelessness and poverty. Detroit Phoenix Center also mobilizes youth most impacted by systemic barriers to drive change within their community.
Her outstanding commitment to service has garnered national recognition, including Comcast Newsmakers and the Steve Harvey Show. Courtney has been named the 2021 Most Valuable Professional by Corp! Magazine and a covid-19 Hero by Crain’s Detroit Business. She is a Michigan Chronicle 40 under 40 honoree and a double-time recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, along with many other notable achievements. Courtney prides herself on being transparent and progressive, two traits that have made her a sought-after speaker on youth and community development topics, advocacy, and servant leadership.
She is also a thought leader on the Forbes Nonprofit Council. As drum major for service, Courtney also serves on the Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association's board of directors and is a governing board member of the Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit. More recently, Courtney served on the Steering Committee for the Soul of Philanthropy, bringing a national exhibit to the Detroit Historical Museum and amplifying the stories of renowned community leaders. Courtney graduated with an undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University. She is currently pursuing graduate coursework at Harvard University.
35. Alison Orlans
CEO & President, eTitle, Orlans PC & Revlegal
Alison Orlans is a passionate innovator who is committed to transforming and shaping the way real estate transactions and legal services are delivered while improving the client experience. More than 15 years ago, Alison joined the family businesses created by her mother, Linda Orlans. As President of eTitle, Alison expanded the company’s reach and services, making eTitle one of the largest independent and most highly skilled land title agencies. eTitle sets the standard for a leaner, greater, 5-star experience. In 2009, Alison formed Atlantic Law Group and in 2017 she led the multi-million-dollar merger of three law firms to launch Orlans PC. Orlans PC serves the real estate and financial services industry and is one of the largest WBENC-certified women-owned law firms in the country.
Alison has created a core-purpose-driven organization, grounded in a unique corporate culture, setting the gold standard in client service, technology, and performance. She is known as a visionary who integrates lean processes and technology with legal knowledge and expertise. Her unique approach led to the creation and launch of Revlegal in 2020. Revlegal is “law accelerated” and provides modernization, consultation, and other lean practices for legal services – optimizing people, processes, and performance – for corporate legal departments and government entities.
Alison has been part of multiple women's organizations, champions diversity in the legal profession, and has grown her employee base to 70% female. She advocates for increased diversity worldwide, has presented at the WBENC conferences, and is a member of NAMWOLF. Alison now serves as the CEO and President of Orlans PC, eTitle, and Revlegal.
36. Lauren Romanowski
Chief of Operations & Creative Director, Mortgage Token
Lauren Romanowski is a one-of-a-kind branding and company startup expert located in Metro Detroit. With a passion for building unique relationships and a track record of growing and scaling major organizations, Lauren has established herself as a formidable force in the industry. She excels at scaling concepts and crafting brand messages for global organizations and companies, drawing on her extensive background in design, technology, mortgage, real estate, and product industries. As the Chief of Operations, she oversees all aspects of app, technology, and marketing development, from conceptualization to completion. With her exceptional leadership skills and ability to adapt and course-correct in response to new processes or challenges, Lauren ensures that businesses stay on track.
Lauren's extensive experience and skills in branding, creative briefs, web design, management, and product marketing make her a highly skilled professional in her field. Her proficiency in these areas allows her to create products that have the potential to change the landscape of crypto lending. By implementing policies that promote company culture and vision, Lauren maintains control of diverse business operations, establishing herself as an experienced and efficient leader.
With excellent people skills, sharp business acumen, and an exemplary work ethic, Lauren is a valuable asset to any team. She brings her expertise to Hyper Digital Marketing as one of the co-owners, where she continues to make a significant impact in the industry. Lauren's dedication to giving back to the community through her past humanitarian work further exemplifies her commitment to making a positive difference.
37. Sandy Harvey
Founder & President, Exodus Consulting Group
Sandy Harvey is the Founder and President of Exodus Consulting Group, where she utilizes her 25+ years of experience as an HR, operations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist. She has worked in many industries, including financial services, defense, retail, energy, nonprofit, and more. Sandy supports individuals and organizations by aligning business processes, platforms, and people to achieve goals by identifying diverse and innovative measures. As a student of life and an embracer of differences, Sandy seeks opportunities to demonstrate that individuals and organizations are better collaborators by highlighting our differences. She is committed to creating engaged and profitable companies that enhance the lives of individuals through professional development and innovation. She provides coaching for professionals, leaders, executives, and pastors desiring to achieve greater self-awareness and realize personal and professional goal attainment. As a Certified Diversity Professional, she passionately helps organizations improve efficiency by embracing diversity and inclusion strategies.
Sandy has an undergraduate degree in business and an MBA in organizational management from Texas Wesleyan University. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in evangelism and church planting. Sandy is certified to facilitate recognized diversity, leadership, and professional development programs and is passionate about positively impacting others and supporting organizational transformation. She is skilled in administering many behavioral, skill, and competency assessments. Sandy is a sought-after impact storyteller and diversity disciple seeking to inspire others to turn challenges into stepping stones. She enjoys mentoring others and advising executive leaders with meeting great successes.
View the complete list of awardees.
38. Jennifer Goforth
Executive Director, General Motors
Jennifer Goforth is an Executive Director at General Motors (GM), leading the Global Aftersales Engineering & Service Operations. Appointed in 2022, she leads the Service Engineering teams in North America, Korea, China, Australia, Brazil, and GM International with global responsibility for all of GM’s Service Deliverables including Service Parts Release, Diagnostics, Reprogramming, Customer Literature and Cataloging, Service Instructions, Aftersales Substance of Concern and Supplier Quality Engineering. In addition, Jennifer is responsible for GM’s Service Operations in North America and South America, which includes Brand Quality, Field Action Execution, Field Service Engineering, Export Operations Aftersales, Warranty Administration, Labor Time, Warranty Administration, Technical Training and Service Special Tools. These deliverables support GM’s customers globally.
Jennifer has over 25 years of experience at GM including roles in Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing & Labor Operations, Vehicle Engineering, Vehicle Program Management, and Customer Care & Aftersales. She has extensive global experience through international assignments in Germany, South Korea, and China. She has passionately supported GM’s Zero Emissions Vision as vehicle line director Spark EV, chief engineer Bolt EV, chief engineer Bolt EUV and chief engineer Blazer EV.
Jennifer is a passionate leader who supports diversity and STEM as a member of GM’s Women’s Advisory Board and executive champion for GM’s Latino Network Warren Chapter. She has sustained a scholarship with the SAE Foundation recognizing excellence in STEM education and service to others and serves as a member of the I-CAR Board of Directors. Jennifer is the recipient of the SAE International Distinguished Younger Member, SAE International Significant Contributions to AWIM (A World in Motion, partnering industry volunteers and teachers to introduce students to engineering design experiences), SAE Detroit Section Outstanding Younger Member, and SAE Detroit Section Outstanding AWIM Contributions. She holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University and a master’s degree in engineering from Purdue University.
39. Deba Harper
Founder and CEO, CHAMP Nation
Deba Harper is accustomed to pioneering innovative systems, analyzing business workflow, and implementing user-centric business solutions. For 20 years, she has curated a successful career as a senior salesforce consultant and administrator, business analyst, producer, and real estate developer. She has worked with small businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and multinational and global corporations in various industries like entertainment, manufacturing, and real estate.
Harper is a systems innovation specialist who utilizes advancements in technology to improve the efficiency of producing goods and services by enhancing the Employee Experience (EX), which ultimately improves the Customer Experience (CX). Possessing intuitive analytical insight, she uses CRM data for qualitative analysis to evaluate business process challenges to identify opportunities to optimize efficiency. As a master multitasker, she possesses the capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects from frame and shape and throughout implementation. Harper graduated from California State University, Northridge with an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary art and urban planning.
40. Julie A. Hegedus
Executive Director of Energy Services, Consumers Energy
Julie Hegedus is the Executive Director of Energy Services for Consumers Energy. She has been in the utility business for 20 years and joined the Consumers Energy team in February of 2008. She has overall responsibility for the company’s Appliance Service Program serving nearly 170K customers throughout Michigan. She held several leadership positions since joining Consumers Energy in 2008 including the executive director of gas distribution and executive director of gas construction and transmission operations. She was named the first female to hold these positions in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Previously, Julie was the director of regulatory compliance and was responsible for all the gas code compliance work for all of the gas operations. She also worked as director of system integrity with responsibility for leading the implementation of the transmission and distribution integrity management programs.
Before joining Consumers Energy, Julie held a variety of leadership roles. She was a change leader at DTE Energy for 5 years in the areas of operations, engineering, and laboratory services. Julie co-led the Women’s Engineering Network at Consumers Energy from 2013-2015 and is currently an advisor. She is highly passionate about the professional development of young engineers and mentors several within Consumers Energy. In 2021, she was the recipient of the Energetic Women Maverick Award. Julie earned an undergraduate and master’s degree in chemical engineering from Wayne State University with a concentration in alternative energy.
43. Teresa Cerbolles
Head of Product and Infotainment Services Director, General Motors
Teresa Cerbolles is the Head of Product and Infotainment Services Director of General Motors. She first joined the company in 2006 as an HVAC development engineer. Teresa is an experienced automotive executive with a demonstrated ability to get results and lead a large team with high energy and genuine relationships. She has built multiple new teams that are engaged by providing leadership, strategy, and coaching.
Cerbolles has served General Motors for nearly 17 years in various capacities including in the Global Human Factors Center, as an engineer manager for vehicle controls integration, and as a global system integration lead. Before General Motors, she served with Delphi as a systems/control integration engineer. Cerbolles earned an MBA and an undergraduate degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Kettering University.
44. Lena Miles-LoRusso
Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder, Performing Arts Workshops
Lena Miles-LoRusso is a teacher, composer, and vocalist originally from Niles and currently residing in Detroit. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Performing Arts Workshops and has fulfilled leadership, teaching, and administrative roles for PAW since its founding in 2012. Lena teaches choir, general music, and theater at East Middle School in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where her choirs have received first-division ratings at MSVMA Choral Festival. Lena is also the musical director at East and has directed and music-directed productions for PAW and In the Mitten Productions.
Lena received her undergraduate degrees in music composition and music education from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing her master's in theater teaching artistry at Wayne State University. In her composing career, she has been commissioned to write choral music for choirs in Southeast and Mid-Michigan where her works have been performed. She has also written music for short independent films by Alexandra Hidalgo that continue to win international awards. Most recently, Lena sang on Collin Mattiford's EP album, Where to Go, which can be found on Spotify.
45. Korin Visocchi
Director of Upper School, Academy of the Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills
Dr. Korin Visocchi is a passionate educator with a demonstrated history of success as a collaborative, creative, and strategic team member working to advance an organization’s mission. She is an expert in strategic planning, keynote addresses, educational operations, collaborative leadership, project management, leadership coaching, and school accreditation. Korin is also a retired rock-and-roller who marvels at how her unique journey in the music industry unexpectedly influences her best practices as an educational leader. Her story draws from 20 years of crossover lessons and experiences touring from California to France, teaching from Detroit to Lansing, and guiding institutions through economic downturns and COVID-19. It is a joyful tale of plot twists and roadblocks, but with a clear path forward for anyone, at any stage of their life journey.
Korin entered her undergraduate experience at Michigan State University with bright eyes and a love for music and reading. While earning degrees in History and International Studies at MSU’s Honor College, she began gigging with her then-boyfriend Augie (now husband of 15 years) at dive bars and dorms performing original music with their band, The Hard Lessons. As they unexpectedly began to gain national recognition, Korin simultaneously earned a Master's degree in Education from the University of Michigan.
Swapping school books for a microphone and electric keyboard, Korin and The Hard Lessons soon booked national tours and music publishing placements with Grey's Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, and Chevrolet while opening for everyone from Kings of Leon and My Chemical Romance to Rusted Root and Iggy Pop and the Stooges. After nearly a decade of adventure and non-stop touring, Korin made the difficult decision to stop performing and get back in the classroom. Embracing the intersection of rock and roll and education, Korin found her footing in the educational leadership space, discovering the weight authentic stories play in influencing confidence and real-world change.
Since earning her PhD in educational leadership from Oakland University, Korin has elevated her career by serving in roles as chief learning officer and executive director and is an expert in school accreditation, curriculum design, educator coaching, and strategic planning.
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