The Vision – 2026 Impact Report
#1 - Y1 Student Story - Student Akeem Brown, mentor Tommy Bell
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
#3 - Christina Lacked Confidence. Today, She’s the First in her Family to Attend College
When Christina Miller joined our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program as a high school sophomore, she had big dreams but struggled to believe she could achieve them. With the guidance of her volunteer Career Mentor, Laura Tiesler, Christina gained the confidence, resilience, and life skills to overcome challenges, become the first person in her family to attend college, and earn our 2026 Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship. Their journey also revealed something equally powerful – that mentorship changes the lives of mentors as well as students. Read Christina's inspiring story and discover how caring adults are helping students build brighter futures.
11th Grade: 95% can better manage their emotions
#5 - Lina Yousef Was Unsure About Her Future. Today She’s Studying For A Degree In Engineering, Winning Scholarships, And Securing Internships.
When Lina Yousef entered our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program, she was a high school senior trying to figure out what came next. Today, she's entering her junior year at Oakland University, earning scholarships, pursuing a degree in engineering with a minor in artificial intelligence, and gaining real-world experience through an internship made possible by mentorship. Her journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when students have caring adults who believe in them and opportunities that help turn potential into achievement. Read Lina's inspiring story, then learn how our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program and volunteer Career Mentors are helping students build brighter futures every day. Read more!
12th Grade: 100% improved their job readiness skills
#7 - From Uncertainty to Career Success: How a Student’s Drive and a Mentor’s Consistency Paid Off for Hussam Omairat
Hussam Omairat is a first-generation college graduate and recently landed a job in his chosen career field. But it wasn’t easy. As an immigrant from Syria, he didn’t understand how college, internships, and career planning worked. Through our program and with help from his volunteer Career Mentor, Hussam developed the confidence, accountability, and perseverance needed to overcome challenges, earn a degree, and launch his career. His journey is a powerful example of what can happen when a student’s drive is matched with consistent mentorship and support. Read the full story to learn how Hussam turned uncertainty into success. Read more!
11th Grade: 80% updated their career plan
#9 - Impact - Impact of program from 25-26 school year
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
#11 - More Than a Celebration: How Mentorship Helped Students Earn $111,000 in Support and Reach Life-Changing Milestones
Every scholarship awarded, every graduate recognized, and every mentor honored represents a story of perseverance, growth, and the life-changing impact of one caring adult. At our 2026 Scholarship Celebration, we awarded $61,000 in scholarships, announced $50,000 in emergency funds to help students stay on track toward graduation, celebrated students earning degrees and credentials, and recognized the volunteer Career Mentors and educational partners who helped make those achievements possible. Read the full story to see how mentorship continues to empower tomorrow's workforce.
10th Grade: 87% feel more optimistic about their future
#13 - Emergency Fund (Student Support Fund)
Unexpected expenses like a car repair, medical bill, or remaining tuition balance can derail a student's education and future. Our Student Support Fund helps remove those barriers, allowing students in our Continuing Education Program to stay enrolled, earn their credentials, and launch meaningful careers. Since its establishment in 2021, we have awarded more than $242,000 to help our students overcome unexpected financial expenses and stay in school. Read how this vital fund is changing lives, why mentorship alone isn't always enough, and how donors are helping students overcome life's unexpected challenges.
12th Grade: 87% learned perseverance skills
#15 - Recruitment - Story about mentor Juan Garcia-Hinojosa
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.
