DETROIT – Challenge Detroit has grown its team, welcoming two new members: Brittany Sanders and Caroline Dobbins, both alumni fellows of the program. Sanders has taken on the program manager role and Dobbins is the events and operations manager. The program has also added a new board member, Lindsey Walenga, co-founder of Siren PR.
Sanders was born and raised in Detroit, and after spending some time in other cities, returned to the city in 2012 as an inaugural Challenge Detroit fellow. During her year with the program, she worked at Focus: HOPE, serving as a business development specialist. Following her time with Challenge Detroit and Focus: HOPE, Sanders launched The Amber Agency, a consulting firm providing management and capacity building services to entrepreneurs and nonprofits, which included supporting Challenge Detroit?s talent recruitment efforts for the program’s 2014-2015 year.
As the program manager, Sanders will assist in planning and executing challenge projects and leadership events. She will also design evaluation tools and support general programmatic development.
?Detroit is my home. I was born and raised here. After going away for school, I spent time in other states growing as an individual and professional, but I always knew I wanted to return home and participate in Detroit?s revitalization efforts,? Sanders said. ?I feel that as a Challenge Detroit fellow I was able to begin that process, and now, being part of the leadership team, I am in a great position to continue to play an integral role in making an impact in Detroit.
Dobbins also came to Challenge Detroit as an inaugural fellow in 2012, working at the start-up, hiredMYway.com, where she served as a marketing associate. She then joined Digerati, a Detroit-based software engineering firm, to work as an outreach specialist for their Intern in Michigan program.
As the events and operations manager, Dobbins will support the coordination of events, help manage communications efforts, as well as support recruitment, alumni engagement and fundraising efforts.
?I am eager to immerse myself in Detroit along with so many like-minded, passionate individuals! I am so grateful for this opportunity,? Dobbins voiced. ?I look forward to sharing my own Challenge Detroit experience with the fellows, alumni and greater community.?
Both Sanders and Dobbins will be integral in growing the Challenge Detroit organization for the future.
?All along our goal has been to keep and bring talent to Detroit, and we are thrilled to retain that talent within our own organization,? Deirdre Greene Groves, Challenge Detroit?s executive director said. ?We have two phenomenal alumnae returning to Challenge Detroit in a different capacity, both of whom are passionate about our mission. The intent of the program is becoming a reality.?
Along with growing their employee base, Challenge Detroit welcomes their newest board member, Lindsey Walenga. She is a co-founder of Siren PR, launched in 2012, and also serves as the firm?s chief financial officer. Walenga has a background in small business, nonprofit and corporate public relations, as well as public affairs. Her personal aspirations to influence Detroit?s revitalization by promoting worthy causes, as well as her work at Siren PR, make her a great addition to Challenge Detroit?s board, where she will provide critical insight and guidance in fulfilling Challenge Detroit?s mission.
