Our most important ingredient: 2022-23 Career Mentors
September 19, 2023 Uncategorized
If you ask pastry chefs to identify the most important cake ingredient, you’ll likely get a variety of answers. Many will say it’s the flour. Some might say it’s the eggs. And others might say it’s butter, sugar, salt, or a variety of other things. When it comes to our… Read More
$44,000 in scholarships awarded to 18 students, seven career mentors honored for their dedication, and all of our annual sponsors recognized for their generous support
July 7, 2023 Event, Mentor, Students
We held our 29th Annual Awards Celebration on June 6, 2023, at Club Venetian in Madison Heights, and awarded $44,000 in scholarships to 18 students from our Workforce Prep program. We also honored seven career mentors for their five or ten year volunteer anniversary and recognized all of our sponsors… Read More
Marcelo Conti, Executive Director, Interior, Exterior and Thermal, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors joins the Board of Directors
July 7, 2023 News
We are pleased to announce that Marcelo Conti, executive director of Interior, Exterior and Thermal, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors, has joined our Board of Directors. “I have been passionate about Winning Futures since I first heard of its mission to help local Detroit youth. As someone… Read More
2023 Corks & Forks Breaks Records
April 10, 2023 Event
We knew this was going to be a good event. What we didn’t know was that it would be record setting. Chaired by Marlo Vitous, senior vice president - Purchasing & Supply Chain at Stellantis, and supported by Pete Hockey of Ford Motor Company, Matt Joshua of General Motors, and… Read More
Ruomu Hu, Vice President and General Manager at Harman International, Joins Board of Directors
April 10, 2023 Mentor
We are very pleased to announce that Ruomu Hu has been elected to our Board of Directors. “Everyone deserves a fair chance at the American dream,” said Ruomu. “Seeing the fundamental impacts Winning Futures has made for these beautiful young minds and their bright futures has made me a firm… Read More
Welcome Our New Board Member, Reggie Roland, Principal Director of Partnerships at Interior Environments
January 6, 2023 Mentor
Reggie Roland, principal director of partnerships at Interior Environments, is the newest member of our Board of Directors. “I’m honored and thankful to share that I have aligned with Winning Futures as a board member. I have always had a passion for supporting my community. This board position allows me… Read More
Our 2022-23 curriculum features enhanced strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, asset-based language, and social and emotional learning. We also launched year 6 of our 7-year program.
November 5, 2022 Announcements, News, Students
Our program has always focused on the empowerment of our students. While our impact has been significant, we are aware that the challenges our students face are constantly changing and that we need to respond accordingly. With 90 percent of our students being people of color and 75 percent coming… Read More
Our golfers brought out the sun and raised $150K at our 24th Annual Golf Classic
November 5, 2022 Event, Fundraiser
Unlike last year, there was no rain at this year’s Golf Classic, so we were already off to a good start. More than 255 people participated in our 24th annual Golf Classic and helped us raise $150,000 to support students in our Workforce Prep program. The outing was held… Read More
May Thao is learning important life and job readiness skills while planning for her future. Her career mentor is helping her along the way.
November 5, 2022 Uncategorized
Pontiac Academy for Excellence student, May Thao (right), with her career mentor, Lida Kuehne, supplier quality development at General Motors. May Thao is a senior at Pontiac Academy for Excellence and in the third year of our Workforce Prep program. With help from her career… Read More
Denzel Lane wants to be a veterinarian or car design engineer. With help from his career mentor, he’ll figure it out.
November 5, 2022 Uncategorized
Denzel (left) with his mentor Phillip during one of our Workforce Prep sessions at Cass Technical High School. Denzel Lane is a 16-year-old student at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. He recently completed his first year (10th grade) in our Workforce Prep program and… Read More
The Career Mentor Experience
“It has been so fulfilling to me to be able to share my experiences and see that it matters and that students are taking the information I’ve shared with them and doing something positive with it. It has been a blessing and a wonderful experience.” This past year we had ... Read More »
Nazifa Kadir is in our Year 6 (continuing education) program and attending the University of Michigan, studying for a degree in pharmaceutical science.
If you knew Nazifa Kadir back when she was in high school, you might be surprised to see the person she is today. Nazifa is a junior at the University of Michigan studying for a degree in pharmaceutical science. She is more assertive, outgoing, and confident in who she is ... Read More »
Rei Struga is in our Year 4 (continuing education) program and on his way to Wayne State University where he will study computer science.
“High school is a confusing and stressful time. You need all the help you can get.” These are the words of Rei Struga. He just graduated from Warren Mott High School and is on his way to Wayne State University where he will study computer science. He has a vision, ... Read More »
30th Anniversary Awards Celebration: $30,000 in scholarships awarded to 16 students; Seven students celebrated for graduating from college; 16 volunteers honored for their five or ten-year career mentoring anniversary.
Our 30th Anniversary Awards Celebration was absolutely loaded with good news. Held at Club Venetian in Madison Heights on June 10, more than 200 people gathered to bear witness to the amazing accomplishments our students have achieved and the generous support we receive from our volunteer career mentors and annual ... Read More »
Stephanie Burnley-Hemphill, Co-CEO and General Manager at Devon Group, Joins Our Board of Directors
We are very pleased to announce that Stephanie Burnley-Hemphill, Co-CEO and general manager at Devon Group, has been elected to our Board of Directors. “My heart told me, ‘This is it,’” said Burnley-Hemphill. “I love the fact that Winning Futures helps students throughout their high school and college paths. I ... Read More »
2024 Corks & Forks a Huge Success
When I realized what happened, all I could think of was, “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” Chaired by Michelle Gardner, Vice President of Global Hardware, Systems & Integration at General Motors and supported by Pete Hockey of Ford Motor Company, Marcelo Conti of General Motors, and Scott Thiele of Stellantis, our annual fundraising ... Read More »
A career mentor’s Journey: From being nervous at the first session to beaming with pride at the last session, we will follow a group of volunteers throughout the year starting with this first of four blog series.
Career mentors are the most integral part of our work when connecting with high school and college students in our Workforce Prep and College Success Mentoring program. For new career mentors, the process of getting started can feel like they are embarking on the unknown. Some also feel nervous about ... Read More »
We’re celebrating 30 years of empowering students to succeed and we’re ready for the next 30!
A message from President and CEO, Kristina Marshall, 1994-95 Winning Futures alum: It’s hard to believe, but the 2023-24 school year marks the 30th anniversary of our Workforce Prep program. Here’s a quick look at how we started, where we are today, and the direction we’re headed. Thiry years ago, ... Read More »