About
HFLI

Deborah drives HFLI’s efforts to redesign how people learn. An educator with 23 years of experience in dynamic learning environments, Deborah’s expertise includes developing and sustaining small urban schools and authentic learning programs that engage a wide range of community partners to prepare learners to succeed in college, pursue a career of their choice and address challenges with innovative thinking. She led HFLI’s work with the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (“the d.school”) to refine the Design Thinking process to explicitly develop young innovators and resourceful lifelong learners.

A champion of Design Thinking’s role in changing how we think and learn, Deborah is a frequent presenter who provides actionable information with real life applications as she shares HFLI’s evolving model of success with schools, communities and businesses around the world. Prior to joining HFLI in 2005, Deborah designed and directed extensive teacher leadership development programs for multiple school systems and earned the distinction of Master Teacher from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She served as one of the founding teachers of Henry Ford Academy in Dearborn, Michigan, helping shape its vision and write curriculum for many of its core components, including the Senior Mastery Process. Deborah earned an M.A Educational Studies, an M.A. in Chinese Languages and Literature and a B.A. in Chinese and Russian Studies, all from the University of Michigan.

Nan is responsible for the continued development of a K-12 educational program that prepares Henry Ford Academy students to succeed in college, pursue a career of choice, and address challenges with innovative thinking. She also supports the growth of our development programs. Nan has been a leader in public education for more than 25 years. Her experience includes developing and leading public schools and school districts; facilitating organizational development and strategic planning processes for corporate, educational and non-profit organizations; and, coaching corporate and educational leaders. Previously, Nan served as a member of the University Preparatory Academy Board for 5 years, and later served in a variety of operational roles in the UPA system, most recently Superintendent of the school district.  She was also a founder of The Coaching Collaborative, and worked for Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Waters Foundation. Nan earned a B.A. in English Education from University of Illinois – Chicago, an M.A. in Communicative Disorders from Northwestern University and has completed graduate coursework in educational administration from University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.

Larry focuses on strengthening internal organizational functions, ensuring the effective implementation of signature HFLI educational elements, and developing and sustaining new learning programs. He was the original Dean of Students at Henry Ford Academy in Dearborn, Michigan, and remains a champion of many signature elements developed at the Academy, their ongoing implementation, and refinement for today’s learners. Between his roles as Dean of Students and Senior Director, Programs of Impact, Larry was Vice President of Learning Designs (LDI), and led Sigma Learning, LLC, which provided integrated training services for Delphi Corporation. During his more than 13 years at the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, he held several positions, including Manager of Training Resources, Manager of UAW-GM Tuition Assistance Plan, and Manager of Skills Assessment and Training. Larry worked for a number of colleges and with a wide range of educational programs, including Teacher Corps Youth Advocacy Project and University Without Walls. He also coordinated the Statewide Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Youth Programs for Colorado State Department of Education. Larry earned a B.S. and an M.S. from the University of Oregon. He has lived and worked in locations across the United States, and also played professional basketball for the ABA’s Miami Floridians and in Scandinavia.

Julius manages HFLI’s finance and administrative systems. He is also involved in strategic planning, evaluation, school oversight, and operational initiatives. Julius brings to HFLI more than 20 years of experience as a CFO, financial analyst and accountant for health care, manufacturing, technology, logistics, communications, retail and public accounting firms. He came to HFLI from Pro Care Health Plan in Detroit, where he was CFO. He has a wealth of experience in evaluating and improving organizational financial management, increasing revenue, and implementing efficient and effective operational processes across multiple sites. Previously he worked for Warrior Sports, TDS Logistics, Compuware Corporation, Ameritech Corporation, Kmart Corporation, and KPMG Peat Marwick. Julius earned an M.B.A. from University of Detroit-Mercy and a B.S. in Accounting from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi.

Lisa creates opportunities for others to learn from HFLI through stories, experiences, and partnerships. She is responsible for all facets of our strategic communications and is the contact for media inquiries. Lisa started working with HFLI in 2006, and has been an integral part of our growth, including the continued development of HFLI’s work with Design Thinking programs and the planning, launch and ongoing activities of all of HFLI’s Henry Ford Academies. Lisa has more than 23 years of broad marketing and communications experience in both business and education. Prior to her work at HFLI, she was a senior account executive with The Devon Group; during her nearly seven years at the PR firm she managed client, press and analyst relationships, garnering positive national coverage that catalyzed business results for clients. Lisa graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Miami University and earned an M.S.A. with a concentration in health services from Central Michigan University. She was a 2013 AFP – Detroit Chapter Fisher Fellow and was awarded a 2014 NSPRA Don Bagin Memorial Scholarship.

Kimberly is responsible for the strategies and implementation of fundraising efforts, reach, and effectiveness to support operational capacity and program implementation for HFLI and its network schools. She joined us in 2015 with more than 25 years experience in sales and relationship building. After beginning her career with Marriott Hotels, Kimberly transitioned to the nonprofit world and has contributed to the fundraising and alumni relations programs at some of the region’s most respected educational and cultural institutions, including the Detroit Zoological Society, Cranbrook Educational Community, the College for Creative Studies, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. Kimberly earned a B.A. in Business Management from Central College in Pella, Iowa. She also completed some graduate level studies toward an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. Away from the office, she is an entrepreneur and maker, creating furniture and home goods for Owen & Abbey using wood salvaged from abandoned homes in Detroit.

Sonya supports the continued development of a strong team and solid foundation at HFLI through her leadership of financial reporting, budgeting, internal control policies and procedures, and human resources. She brings more 18 years of experience in accounting and finance to HFLI. Most recently, Sonya was the accounting manager for Ilitch Charities and Little Caesars Amateur Sports in Detroit, responsible for the accounting, budgeting and financial reporting for the non-profit entities; in 2015, her peers and the executive management team recognized her with the Fiscally Responsible core value award. Previously, Sonya was the accounting associate for the Clairmount Group PLC in Detroit where she provided financial services to non-profits, religious organizations and charter schools. She was also the assistant controller for Family Home Health Services, conducting all month-end closing and financial reporting, and she began career as the accounting manager at John Adams Mortgage. Dedicated to others, Sonya currently serves on the Board of Directors for Black Family Development Incorporated in Detroit. She earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Christopher supports HFLI’s growing K-12 design thinking initiative, including the continued development of creative problem solving resources and experiences that lead to transformational outcomes for educators and students. Prior to joining us, Christopher was a part-time faculty member at Parsons the New School for Design in New York, where he supported student adoption of human-centered design methodologies. At the same time, he worked as a consultant for the design research lab, Thriving, to develop a growth-mindset curriculum for various schools in the city and was selected by Pearson, PLC to author a K-12 design thinking curriculum, which is now being piloted at schools in Brazil and India. As a graduate student at Parsons, Christopher’s work revolved around the theme of design for understanding; in 2013, he was awarded the William Randolph Hearst Scholarship, which gave him the opportunity to pilot his workshop with different entities around New York to help them understand complex law. Christopher earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and an M.F.A. in Transdisciplinary Design from Parsons.

Gwen manages daily accounting activities for HFLI, coordinates all logistics for staff and hands-on learning programs, and makes sure the HFLI team has all of the tools needed to do their jobs. Before joining HFLI, Gwen was a design coordinator and project manager who coordinated custom pottery projects from design through fabrication for three of the Pewabic Society’s designers. Her ability to develop operational efficiencies grew out of her more than 15 years at Bon Secours Cottage Hospital/Henry Ford Health System, where she earned roles of increasing responsibility, from patient accounting clerk, to supervisor, and ultimately financial services analyst.

Tonya maintains student and school records for the Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies K-12 district in Detroit and ensures compliance with the reporting requirements of authorizer, school board, state and federal agencies. She brings to the district more than 15 years of compliance experience through HR positions in a number of industries. Tonya earned an M.S.A. in General Administration/Human Resources from Central Michigan University and a B.B.A. in Management from the Detroit College of Business (Davenport University).

Greg ensures that all Henry Ford Academy: Elementary School students and staff have access to and knowledge of innovative, functional and appropriate technology resources and technology-focused professional development. He has worked onsite at our school since it opened in 2012, bringing more than 5 years as an Apple Genius and Apple Computer Technician Certification to the school’s Apple-supported learning environment. Greg has worked in STEM fields for more than 25 years, including positions as a physical design specialist at Intel Corp, a certified pharmacy technician for Walgreens, and a lab technician at Portland Community College; while serving in the U.S. Navy, Greg completed U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Training and received Nuclear Power Certification and Clearance. Greg earned a B.S. in Science from Portland State University and an associate degree in science from Portland Community College, both in Portland, Oregon.

Brenda works closely with HFLI’s Director of Finance and Administration to manage, maintain and support high quality school facilities and business operations. She has nearly 35 years of combined global experience ranging from Borg Warner, Inc. to Magna Systems International, Inc. in the finance and accounting fields. Brenda earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Accounting, both from the University of Phoenix.

Mary develops curriculum and assessment tools that support our teachers in preparing students for college and careers. She is a National Board Certified teacher who is committed to advancing high quality teaching and learning for all students. Mary has been an educator in Detroit for the last twenty years serving as principal of the Detroit Institute of Technology High School (DIT) on the Cody campus and as assistant principal at Western International High School. She has won several awards including Principal of the Year from the Engineering Society of Detroit, Administrator of the Year from Greening of Detroit and the Team Leadership Award from Teach for America. She graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. in Education and attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor receiving an M.A. in Education focusing on education policy and administration.

Eric ensures that all Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies students and staff have access to and knowledge of innovative, functional and appropriate technology resources and technology-focused professional development. Eric came to our Detroit middle/high school from the West Bloomfield School District where he worked in several roles since 1996 including classroom teacher for Visual Arts, Computer Graphics, CAD/Robotics education, building technology coordinator, summer school principal, and more. Eric finished his undergraduate work at The University of Toledo graduating with a B.A. in Art Education. He also holds a M.A. from Oakland University in Curriculum, Instruction and Leadership.

Patty is responsible for all aspects of daily CMO and school accounting for the Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies K-12 district to ensure that students and teachers have high impact learning environments and sufficient resources. Patty comes to us from a risk management firm in St. Clair Shores, MI where she was controller. She has nearly 35 years of accounting and administrative experience, including a 6-year tenure as a Southfield, MI-based lead accountant for charter schools in Michigan and Texas. Patty earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Accounting, both from the University of Phoenix.

Staci works closely with school leadership teams and a range of partners to secure significant community support for Henry Ford Academies in Detroit. Her work builds on her extensive experience with youth in the community and includes recruiting students, building and stewarding partnerships to enrich student learning, and actively engaging parents as committed school partners. Staci came to us from Detroit City Councilman James Tate’s office, where she was the Youth Focus Outreach Coordinator. She successfully reduced violence through her work with teens as a board-certified Conflict Resolution consultant with Detroit Public Schools. She is trusted voice in the Detroit, who communicated vital information through her roles as Public Relations Specialist for the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, an on-air radio personality and producer of informative community programming. Staci earned a B.S. in Communications and Theater Arts, with a focus on Secondary Education at Eastern Michigan University. She is a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected youth in Wayne County.