Founder + Executive Director
Shane is an accomplished entrepreneur with a track record of founding successful businesses, including the market research company Business Source Solutions and the technology recruiting firm QStride. His entrepreneurial ventures also include Neway Creative and Pathway Staffing. Dedicated to social impact, he launched Neway Works, a non-profit aimed at mentoring at-risk youth. Recognized for his contributions to business and the community, Shane has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of Detroit's Top 100 Leaders & Innovators.
Board Member
Kristin is the Branch Manager at Flagstar corporate office in Troy, MI. She is a driven professional with over a decade of experience in retail banking. Achieving excellence in her career is a paramount objective for Ms. Shaoni. She adopts a strategic mindset in all decision-making processes and interactions with customers to ensure optimal outcomes. Her demeanor is consistently professional both within and beyond the workplace. Upholding company values and maintaining integrity are principles she holds in the highest regard. Ms. Shaoni consistently strives to be an invaluable asset to her employer by surpassing job requirements and continually enhancing her personal growth and the community by serving causes close to her heart.
Board Member
Jonathon Boone is a is a distinguished veteran and financial advisor with a profound commitment to service and leadership. His career spans over a decade in the United States Marine Corps, where he led international operations and domestic training exercises, and extends into the business sector, where he has excelled in roles ranging from business development to financial advising. Currently, he applies his vast experience and skills at JP Morgan Wealth Management, helping clients achieve their financial goals through strategic advice.
Board Member
Brandon is Chief Executive Officer of Safety Ops Specialists and Founder of Khal Horizons Consulting Group. Brandon has over 14 years’ experience leading strategic sales enablement operations for multiple high-profile organizations, making the forward-looking decisions that drive significant, sustainable, and scalable business growth, designing key strategies and policies that maximize revenue potential, and carefully building the processes and guidelines that sustain a profitable, productive, and globally competitive organization.
Board Member
Victoria Guster-Hines is an experienced Senior Executive Officer directing up to $2.4B in revenue. Strategic planning, effective execution, talent development, and financial acumen. Proven collaborator and influencer with executive peer set and cross function leaders to optimize business performance and market dominance. Champion and thought leader in DEIB - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging with particular focus on recruitment, development, and retention of top talent. Skills in strategic planning, operations, meeting & exceeding goals, talent development, franchising, and finance. She is known for transforming growth and operations excellence. Ranked consistently in the top 2 of 22 Vice Presidents throughout the organization year over year. She also sat on five McDonald’s co-ops in Texas and Louisiana and is currently sitting on the Board of Directors for Bridge Communities. Victoria has been widely recognized within multiple corporations as well as D-MARS Top 30 Most Influential Women of Houston, 2016 Empower Magazine, and most recently, Who’s Who in Black Houston & Atlanta as a “Game Changer & Role Model” for African American Achievement.
Board Member
Deepak Ajmani is a dedicated Chief Operations Officer with 20+ years of expertise in managing large, intricate franchised systems, overseeing 6,000+ US restaurants. Proven track record of achieving transformative business outcomes through strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and proactive planning in competitive markets. He is killed in cultivating teams and fostering adaptability to anticipate and navigate market dynamics. Chaired initiatives resulting in a 4.8% YoY growth in US system sales from $9.762B in 2019 to $10.231B in 2020, further increasing to $12.285B in 2023 for The Wendy’s Company. Optimized operational efficiencies leading to a 6.5% increase in US Adj. EBITDA from $393.4M in 2020 to $528.3M in 2023 for Wendy’s Company. Awarded for outstanding operations and sales growth initiatives Wendy’s Award. Served as Trustee for Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Member, Speaker, Contributor for Wendy’s Cultural Diversity Resource Group.
Board Member
Candice Rich is an esteemed business professional with a respected name in the real estate and financial industries. She is a Global Advisor with Christie's International Real Estate ranking in the top 5% in Michigan; renowned for her integrity and utmost discretion, she has established herself as the go-to top real estate advisor assisting professional athletes, affluent families, and top-tier investors buying or selling in some of the most coveted communities. Candice has a remarkable background as an owner of a thriving CPA firm. For over 22 years, Candice excelled as a certified accountant, establishing a reputation for unparalleled financial & tax expertise as well as having a distinguished background as a former VP of Finance for a large national nonprofit organization. Oakland County, where Candice lives, works, and invests, is passionate about giving back; she has established many community ties through her ongoing philanthropic endeavors, events and supporting the local businesses in her community. For those seeking excellence, concierge level service and sophistication, Candice Rich is the epitome of a true real estate advisor.
Board Member
Bill is the former President of Team Cares, the nonprofit subsidiary of Team Wellness in Detroit. Team Cares provides medical, behavioral, and mental health support services to underserved populations in Detroit, Wayne County, and surrounding counties.
