The Vision – 2025 Impact Report
“When mentors show up, incredible things happen”: The Power of Showing Up
When Carl McAllister II signed up to be a Career Mentor, he didn’t know he was stepping into one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. A Senior Quality Engineer at Lear by day, Carl spent his Wednesday mornings with three 10th grade students at Harper Woods High School, Lonntez, Cliff, and Marcus, building trust, setting goals, and showing up no matter what. “You rarely become what you don’t see,” Carl said. “So, I’m showing these guys a different path.” What unfolded over the school year was more than mentorship, it was transformation, powered by consistency, creativity, and the simple, powerful act of showing up. Pictured is Carl (standing) as he works with students at Harper Woods High School. Read more!
10th Grade: 93% completed steps towards their goals
“She taught us it’s okay to just be ourselves”: A Year of Exploration and Growth
At Hazel Park High School, sophomores Autum and Yasmin, discovered confidence, purpose, and the power of their own voices. Autum was quiet and anxious about speaking up. Yasmin was naturally observant and quiet. In our Year 1 Program, under the guidance of their volunteer Career Mentor, Taneshia Onyenwenwa, Autum blossomed and was sharing in class and mapping out her dreams of becoming a teacher or vocal coach. Yasmin emerged as a quiet leader, taking initiative and leading her peers in group activities. Autum and Yasmin’s growth is a powerful example of what happens when students are supported, believed in, and given the space to explore who they are and who they want to become. Pictured is Taneshia (second from left) with her students at Hazel Park High School. Read more!
11th Grade: 95% can better manage their emotions
“The impact went way beyond school”: A Student’s Journey to Success
Mohammad Zaman’s journey through the Winning Futures Workforce Prep Mentoring Program is a powerful example of how structure, mentorship, and perseverance can shape a young person’s future. From a curious high schooler unsure of what the program would offer, to a college student struggling with failure, to a confident professional thriving in a career he never expected, Mohammad’s transformation was guided by mentors who showed up, held him accountable, and believed in him every step of the way. His story illustrates that the impact of mentoring goes far beyond academics. It builds confidence, strengthens families, and creates ripple effects in communities and workplaces. Pictured is Mohammad at his United Wholesale Mortgage desk. Read more!
12th Grade: 100% improved their job readiness skills
From students to staff: Amaya and Chelly have come full circle!
Amaya Davis (right) and Chelly Ali-Watkins (left) entered our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program as 10th graders. They both went to college and participated in our Continuing Education program. Chelly earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State. Amaya earned an associate degree from Macomb Community College and will graduate next year with her bachelor’s from Wayne State. And now, they’ve come full circle, returning as staff members, giving back to the same program that shaped them. As Program Assistants, they’re helping students the way their mentors once helped them, multiplying the impact of mentorship. Their journeys show the lasting power of our seven-year program and the impact it has on families, workplaces, and entire communities. Read more!
11th Grade: 80% updated their career plan
“It Was a Match Made in Heaven”: CMA Principal Tiffany Cox on the Power of Mentoring
When Principal Tiffany Cox heard our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program might be coming to Communication & Media Arts High School, she literally pulled her car over. “I was super over the moon,” she laughed. Three years later, she calls it “a marriage and a match made in heaven.” From mentors greeted like rock stars in the hallways to students thinking beyond high school and speaking with new confidence, Ms. Cox has seen firsthand how mentoring transforms lives, on both sides of the relationship. Pictured is Ms. Cox (left) with Communication & Media Arts High School students at our 2025 Student Success Ceremony. Read more!
College Students: 77% have a more positive attitude
Our Students Are Growing and Succeeding!
Let’s be honest. Most people think statistics are snooze-worthy. But around here, we get excited about the numbers. Why? Because they tell us something powerful: Our students are growing! Here are some examples from our 2024-25 program. 95 percent of our 11th graders can now spot the negative ways they handle emotions and the triggers behind them. 93 percent of our 10th grade students completed one or more steps towards their continuing education or career goal. And get this, 100 percent of our 12th graders boosted their job readiness skills. These aren’t just stats, they are stepping stones to healthier relationships, stronger careers, and brighter futures. Pictured is Julia Russell (standing) of Narmi, working with a student at Warren Mott High School. Read our 2024-25 outcomes!
10th Grade: 87% feel more optimistic about their future
We awarded $30,000 in scholarships!
What do you get when you mix 250 students, mentors, sponsors, and community champions under one roof? A night of pride, applause, and pure inspiration. At our 2025 Awards Celebration, every smile, every hug, and every tear told the same story – when young people are surrounded by caring adults and given the tools to dream big, they soar. From scholarship surprises to mentor milestones, it was an evening that proved, once again, we’re not just preparing tomorrow’s workforce, we’re empowering it today. Pictured are scholarship winners and college graduates who were recognized at our 2025 Awards Celebration. Read more!
12th Grade: 87% learned perseverance skills
“I always thought that we, as adults, need to do more in the community, need to share some of our experiences, both good and not so good, because it helps those who are coming after us.” – Donald Thomas, General Dynamics.
Be the Career Mentor you wish you had! Volunteer at a local high school in Detroit, Harper Woods, Hazel Park, Sterling Heights, or Warren. We’ll train you, support you, and cheer you on while you impact a student’s life. Pictured is Donald Thomas (left) of General Dynamics, working with a student at Community High School. Learn more!
College Students: 73% Created career portfolio materials
Thank You to Our Awesome Board of Directors and 100+ Business Partners
Governing Board
Board Chair: Matt Joshua, Owner — E-MAD LLC
Chair Emeritus: Scott Rice, President — POWERLINK
Vice-Chair: Frank Orsini, EVP and President of Seating — Lear Corporation
Secretary: Jeff Hoover, Chief Legal Officer — Alta
Treasurer: Sandra Shecter, CPA, CGMA, Firmwide Director — Rehmann
Kristina Marshall, President & CEO — Winning Futures
Board of Directors
Terry Bishop, President — Trilogy
Marcelo Conti - Executive Director Purchasing — Interior, Exterior, & Thermal — General Motors
Ellyn Davidson, CEO — Brogan & Partners
Victor Edozien, CEO — SET Duct Manufacturing
Megan Fisher, Senior Vice President — Autoliv
Pete Hockey, Global Director, Supply Chain Operations — Ford
Ruomu Hu, General Manager & Vice President of Embedded Audio Business Unit — Harman International
Todd Kennedy, Vice President North American Seating — Lear Corporation
Tim Mailley, Chief Commercial Officer — Yazaki
Scott Thiele, Chief Supply Chain Officer — Stellantis
Tony Tomczak, President — Tomczak Enterprises, LLC
Lawrence Williams II, CEO — Guiding Light Enterprises
Business Partners
Click here to see a complete list of Business Partners.
