THE HOST

 
 
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ANDREW HUMPHREY, CBM - Meteorologist & Reporter, WDIV-TV

Andrew Humphrey is an Emmy award winning meteorologist and reporter at WDIV-TV Local 4. In addition, he is proud to have earned the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) distinction and delivers science and technology reports for "Tech Time With Andrew Humphrey." These honors are indicative of Andrew's passion for weathercasting and storytelling that help people stay informed and safe. Born and raised near the nation's capital, Andrew went to school in Wolverine country, earning his BSE in Meteorology from the University of Michigan. He earned his MS in Meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Andrew came to WDIV from Fox affiliate in Toledo, Ohio, where he was chief meteorologist. Prior to that, he was seen globally on CNN and CNN International and got his start in Washington, D.C. at the local NBC and Fox stations. He worked as a research scientist at NOAA and NASA, also. Andrew enjoys being involved with the community, especially as a featured speaker to students at every grade level. He is Founder and Chair Emeritus co-chairs the Digital Journalism Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); is Past President of NABJ’s Detroit chapter; serves or has served as Board Member and volunteer of the Chandler Park Conservancy, Real Life 101, Athletes For Charity, the Detroit Chapter of the National Association Of Asian American Professionals, the Chinese American Professional Association, FIRST (Robotics) in Michigan, and the University of Michigan Club Of Greater Detroit; and was an active team member of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan’s Alumni Leadership Council, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Cranbrook Institute of Science. Andrew's awards include an Emmy Award, the Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council, a distinguished service award from The Boys & Girls Club and the Community Service Award from NABJ.


 

OPENING REMARKS

 
 
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JILL FORD - Special Advisor to Mayor Mike Duggan, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, City of Detroit

As Mayor Duggan’s Special Advisor, Jill Ford heads the City of Detroit’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. Jill chose to come to Detroit from the San Francisco Bay Area, where as an Angel Investor and Advisor she transformed emerging businesses using strategies forged in mobile gaming.  Jill brings a wealth of global leadership in mobile and games, including heading Disney Mobile’s worldwide distribution to mobile manufacturers and running Motorola’s global games usage. A global citizen, Jill ran a company in Ghana that discovered, developed, and funded new entrepreneurs and she has traveled to more than 15 countries. Jill combines a Wharton MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Harvard University.

 

 
 

PANELISTS

 

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ADAM BLANCK - Chief of Staff, Wallside Windows

Adam Blanck is the 3rd generation of his family to work at Wallside Windows, a replacement window company founded by his grandfather in 1944 that has since grown to be one the largest window manufactures and home improvement companies in the country.  Since joining the company in 2014, Adam has helped lead double digit annual growth as well as Wallside's community investment projects, including partnering with Life Remodeled on replacing windows in Detroit homes. Prior to Wallside, Adam was an associate attorney in the corporate department at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn in Detroit, focusing on private equity and venture capital transaction. Adam continues to work closely with the University of Michigan’ Social Venture Fund on structuring impact investments in innovative companies. He is also a member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s NEXTGen Board of Directors and is the co-founder of Pitch for Detroit. Adam sits on the board of New Detroit. Adam served on the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee, on the White House Advance Team and as a Press Lead for the Obama for America and Hillary for America Advance Teams. In addition, Adam worked in the White House as an intern for Vice President Biden’s communications team. Adam earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School, cum laude, and a B.B.A., with high distinction, from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

 
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DIERDRE GREENE GROVES - Executive Director, Challenge Detroit

Deirdre Groves is the founding executive director of Challenge Detroit, a nonprofit organization with a mission to challenge leaders to learn by doing through a year of meaningful employment and intellectual work with area nonprofits designed to positively impact our diverse, culturally vibrant city. Prior to launching Challenge Detroit, Deirdre helped co-found another nonprofit focused on providing intellectual capital to the region, and spent the early years of her career on real estate development, construction management, and community planning efforts. Deirdre holds a Bachelor of Construction Management from Michigan State University and a Masters of Urban Planning & Real Estate Development from the University of Michigan. Deirdre is a 2015 recipient of the Detroit Young Professionals Vanguard Award.

 
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LUANNE THOMAS EWALD, FACHE - Chief Executive Officer, Children's Hospital of Michigan

Luane Thomas Ewald FACHE holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University and a Masters in Hospital and Health Administration from Xavier University. She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and Tenet Leadership Academy. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Since 2007, she has been instrumental in opening ten Children’s Hospital of Michigan Specialty Centers in the community. Her latest project, Children’s Hospital of Michigan – Troy, included the State’s first pediatric free standing Emergency Department. She is also responsible for the development of the Physician Concierge Program and the Physician Link Line. Ms. Thomas Ewald is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and serves on ACHE’s Regents Advisory Council. She is the Past-President of the Midwest Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (MCACHE). She has served as the Chair of the MCACHE Sponsorship Committee and Audit Committee. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Sparky Anderson’s CATCH Charity for Children, Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan, The Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan, Leadership Detroit, Dr. Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine, Alumnae Board of Mercy High School and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan. She has served as co Chairman of the Leadership Detroit Selection Committee. In 2017, Governor Snyder appointed her to the Early Childhood Investment Executive Committee for the State of Michigan. In 2007, she was named as one of Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under Forty. In 2008, she was honored by the Detroit Regional Chamber with a Horizon Award. In 2009, she was honored with a Vanguard Award. In 2012, she was awarded the Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives. Most recently in April of 2016, she was awarded The 2016 Most Valuable Professional by Corp!Magazine.

 
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MEAGAN WARD - Brand Strategist & Women's Entrepreneurial Activist, Creatively Flawless

Meagan Ward is a true visionary and celebrates womanhood and entrepreneurship without hesitation. Equipped with a business marketing degree from Western Michigan University, Meagan set out to address a void she felt was present in the corporate world; women rising without ceilings and living the life of their dreams. Meagan is the owner of Creatively Flawless, a full-service branding agency that prides itself on servicing women in the first-hand development of building their businesses. In addition, she is the Co-Founder of Femology Detroit the first women's focused co-working space providing women an opportunity to work, live and thrive collectively in the city of Detroit. Meagan's high standards and diligence have afforded her client's work the opportunity to be displayed in Times Square, Vogue magazine and Essence Magazine. Most recently, Meagan's inspirational story behind the brand has landed her in Black Enterprise The Huffington Post, Crain’s, Rolling Out and more. Meagan continuously upholds high standards all while embodying strength and compassion – the same building blocks upon which her brands were built upon.