On March 8, 2025, the ballroom at The Townsend Hotel shimmered with elegance as we hosted our 17th annual Corks & Forks gala. This year’s event, chaired by Teresa Thiele, Senior Vice President of Global Purchasing Programs at Stellantis, brought together community leaders, business professionals, and passionate supporters to celebrate mentorship and invest in the future of Metro Detroit’s students.
See pics from the 2025 Corks & Forks
We were especially thrilled to have several senior executives from the automotive industry in attendance and participating in our live auction. From General Motors: Marcelo Conti, Executive Director, Purchasing – Interior, Exterior & Thermal Purchasing; Paris Pavlou, Executive Director, Global Purchasing and Manufacturing Services; Phil Zak, Executive Director, Design; Tony Roma, Executive Chief Engineer, Global Corvette and Performance Cars; Peter Layer, Executive Director, Purchasing, Chassis Propulsion Structures; Kristin Toth, Executive Director, Purchasing – Electrical Systems, Software and Connectivity; and Jamie Brewer, Executive Chief Engineer, Battery Electric Trucks. From Ford Motor Company: Pete Hockey, Global Director, Supply Chain Operations; Amy McLain, Global Director, Indirect Purchasing; Eduardo Cancellara, Executive Director, Ford Model E Supply Chain; and Liz Door, Chief Supply Chain Officer. And from Stellantis: Chris Feuell, Chrysler Brand CEO; Lottie Holland, Vice President – Diversity & Inclusion; Bruno Olvera, Director – Diversity Supplier Development; Amy Scott, Vice President, Strategic Technical Partnerships; Scott Thiele, Senior Vice President; Teresa Thiele, Senior Vice President, Global Purchasing Programs; and Marlo Vitous, Senior Vice President, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
The evening was nothing short of spectacular. The event kicked off with a wine tasting reception where guests sipped outstanding domestic and international wines while sampling gourmet hors d’oeuvres. The Townsend’s executive chef followed with a gourmet dinner that left everyone raving.
Throughout the evening, guests placed their bids on an impressive array of silent auction items—from cutting-edge gadgets to premium tickets for local shows and sports events. Then, the energy surged as Les Gold, star of the hit TV series Hardcore Pawn, took the stage to lead a spirited live auction, adding a touch of excitement and charm to the night.
But the true heart of the evening came when Joshua Hudson took the stage. A senior at the University of Michigan on track to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering in just a few short months, Joshua shared his journey from self-doubt to success. A proud graduate of our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program at Harper Woods High School and current participant in our College Success Mentoring program, Joshua spoke candidly about the challenges he faced.
“As I reflect on my journey,” Joshua said, his voice steady and confident, “it’s clear that Winning Futures did more than help me plan for college; it planted the seed of confidence that has grown with every milestone I’ve reached. It showed me the power of mentorship, the importance of resilience, and the incredible potential that can be unlocked when someone believes in you.”
Joshua credited much of his transformation to the mentorship of Matt Joshua, our board member and chair, whose guidance helped him envision and build a path to success. In 2021, Joshua was awarded our Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship, a milestone that fueled his journey to the University of Michigan. Now, with graduation just around the corner, his gratitude was evident as he spoke of how far he’s come.
“What an incredible night,” said our President and CEO, Kristina Marshall. “We owe a significant amount of gratitude to our chair, Teresa Thiele, our student speaker, Joshua Hudson, our presenting program sponsor Lear, our event sponsors, and all the guests who helped make this a very special event.”
By the end of the evening, Corks & Forks had raised a record $640,000 to support students in the Workforce Prep Mentoring program—an unforgettable celebration of mentorship, perseverance, and the limitless potential within every student.
Learn more about our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program and opportunities to become a career mentor.