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.

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.

As Director of External Relations, Lisa creates learning opportunities through stories, experiences, and partnerships. She is responsible for all facets of strategic communications and is the contact for media inquiries. Lisa started working with HFLI in 2006, and has been an integral part of HFLI’s 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 25 years of broad marketing and communications experience in both in education and business, and continues to grow through experiences such as the Points of Light Civic Accelerator Cohort 8, in which she played a central role as the HFLI team manager. Prior to her work at HFLI, Lisa 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 in Ohio 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.

Ossama contributes to the strength of our schools and organization by overseeing the strategic planning and implementation of administrative, infrastructural, operational and instructional technologies of HFLI and HFLI’s network of Henry Ford Academies. As a part of that work, he also supervises and provides mentoring and training to school-based technology coordinators. Ossama is an experienced IT leader, project manager and solution architect, with a track record of 13 years of experience in defining and building IT infrastructure and operations. He came to HFLI from Pratt Institute, where he contributed to the institution’s academic IT services for nearly 11 years; in his most recent role, he directed the operations of Pratt’s academic computing facilities which include the computer labs, the digital output centers, the institute’s laptop program and the technology enhanced classrooms and lead a team of 11 technology professionals. Prior to his work at Pratt, Ossama was an educator for nearly 10 years, most recently at the Crescent School in New York, where he taught computer classes to students in grades 9 – 12, maintained the school’s servers, network and workstations, managed a new computer lab setup project, and researched and proposed new technology initiatives. Ossama earned his M.S. in Information Systems at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, CUNY and his Bachelor’s degree in English Education at Mansoura University in Egypt.

Jordan supports the implementation of current Design Thinking programs and contributes to the strategic growth and development of our overall Design Thinking initiative. She brings to the role diverse professional design, program development, and instruction experience. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Architecture in 2013, Jordan worked as a designer at Blu Homes, where she focused on product development as well as collaborating with sales to meet homebuyers’ unique design needs. She then became a campus team leader for a non-profit in Ann Arbor where she wrote educational/experiential content for a summer leadership training program and mentored more than 40 university students. Jordan was most recently a designer and event coordinator at fleurDetroit, helping to conceive of and execute large-budget projects. As a part of her personal drive to enhance her skills and knowledge, Jordan completed the IDEO Human-Centered Design course in Design Thinking in 2016 and volunteers her services in photography and storytelling with various community-based initiatives in Detroit.

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.

Kirsten Bondalapati supports the Design Thinking programs at HFLI. She contributes to the organization by combining her experience in community engagement, public health, Design Thinking, and small business development. Previously, Kirsten worked as a health policy fellow at the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation, where she provided policy analysis and analytic support for a variety of health policy and community health projects, including issues related to healthcare reform and mental health. She also worked in operations at Healthy Detroit, helping to develop the Detroit nonprofit organization. She was a fellow in the Challenge Detroit program, and worked in research and data analytics at Hospice of Michigan. Kirsten earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Health degree from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Outside of HFLI, Kirsten co-owns the photo booth company, Bondo, with her sister-in-law in Detroit.