DisruptED

Detroit is experiencing a renaissance driven by innovation, technology, and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. With new ventures and fresh talent pouring into the city, Detroit is reclaiming its status as a hub for mobility and industry. The city’s landscape is shifting, fueled by startups, venture capital, and a renewed spirit of resilience. Over the past few years, the region has seen significant growth in tech-driven businesses, particularly in AI, advanced manufacturing, and mobility, with an increasing number of high-value startup exits and funding rounds fueling Detroit’s emergence as a competitive innovation hub.

So what is drawing entrepreneurs from across the country to Detroit? And how are they leveraging the city’s unique infrastructure and resources to drive business success?

On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Justin Kosmides, the CEO and Co-founder of Bloom, to discuss his journey from Wall Street to Detroit’s innovation hub. Kosmides shares his story of transitioning from banking to the e-bike industry and how his move to Detroit positioned him at the center of a manufacturing revolution. This conversation explores how Detroit’s history, resources, and growing startup ecosystem create a fertile ground for entrepreneurs seeking to make a lasting impact.

The main topics of discussion…

From Wall Street to Detroit: Kosmides shares his transition from a decade-long career in banking to becoming a key player in Detroit’s entrepreneurial scene, emphasizing the role of resilience and adaptability.

The Rise of E-Mobility and Manufacturing: How Bloom is building a platform to connect hardware startups with manufacturing solutions in Detroit, leveraging the city’s industrial strengths.

Detroit’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: The growing network of investors, startups, and innovators fueling a new wave of economic development in the city.

Justin Kosmides is the CEO and Co-founder of Bloom, an operations-as-a-service platform designed to support hardware brands by optimizing manufacturing, assembly, and logistics. Before launching Bloom, he co-founded Vela Bikes, scaling a global e-bike brand across Brazil, the U.S., and China. With a decade-long career in banking, including leadership at Barclays Investment Bank, he brings deep expertise in financial structuring, venture capital, and industrial reindustrialization to Detroit’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Electric surfboards are redefining water sports, merging high-performance engineering with artistry in product design. The industry, once niche, is now accelerating thanks to advancements in e-mobility and battery technology. With increasing consumer interest in high-end, sustainable recreational vehicles, companies like Lind are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. In fact, Lind’s electric surfboards boast 27 horsepower and speeds of roughly 35 mph—one of the most power-dense electric vehicles in the world.

So, what does it take to create a product that is equal parts cutting-edge technology and beautiful design? And how is the market responding to this level of innovation?

On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Anders Dellson, the CEO of Lind, to explore the evolving landscape of manufacturing, technology, and design. From the early challenges of building electric surfboards to the role of artistry in product development, this conversation highlights the intersection of form and function in the world of premium water sports.

The main topics of conversation…

Design Meets Technology: Lind’s electric surfboards are designed to look and feel like traditional surfboards while integrating advanced propulsion systems underneath the board for a seamless experience.

The Challenge of Power Density: Engineering an electric surfboard requires significant power in a compact form. Lind’s boards use 192 battery cells to generate an impressive 27 horsepower.

The Artistry of Surfboards: Beyond function, Lind is committed to aesthetics, collaborating with artists and even showcasing their boards at Miami Art Week to emphasize the beauty of their products.

Anders Dellson, who serves as the CEO of Lind, specializes in product innovation and high-performance technology. With a background in engineering and an early career at McKinsey & Co., he has spent over 25 years leading companies across tech, software, and mobility industries. His expertise in business strategy and scaling innovation has positioned Lind as a leader in the emerging electric water sports market.

Education is at a crossroads. With student debt standing at about $2 trillion and industries evolving at an unprecedented pace, the traditional education system is struggling to keep up. The question is no longer just about degrees but about skills, adaptability, and education’s ROI. Can the current system deliver the outcomes society needs at the cost it demands? If not, what must change?

Welcome to the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED. In this episode, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, the President of SkillsWave, and Jason Aubrey, the CEO of Skilltrade, to dissect the forces disrupting education. From the role of lifelong learning to the impact of AI, this conversation explores how the future of education must evolve to remain relevant.

The main topics of conversation…

Education ROI isn’t just financial. While cost and economic impact are crucial, education must also provide critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and lifelong learning pathways.

Skills-based training is reshaping learning. Alternative education models, from micro-credentials to AI-driven tutoring, are allowing individuals to upskill quickly without accumulating massive debt.

The liberal arts are still essential. In a rapidly changing job market, skills like logic, adaptability, and structured thinking—often found in liberal arts disciplines—are proving to be invaluable assets for employers.

Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is an EdTech and workforce development leader specializing in AI-powered learning models and digital education strategy. As the President of SkillsWave, she leverages her experience from executive roles at Pearson, D2L, and Louisiana State University to drive corporate upskilling and enrollment growth. With a deep focus on skills-based hiring and employer-sponsored education programs, she continues to innovate in the rapidly evolving landscape of workforce training and education technology.

Jason Aubrey is a seasoned workforce development and EdTech executive, currently serving as the CEO of Skilltrade, where he focuses on upskilling solutions for healthcare and allied health industries. He previously led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc. and served as the CEO of ClearGage, driving innovation in healthcare financing. With a background in scaling tech-enabled businesses globally, he co-founded and grew LectureTools, an active learning technology company. He has a proven track record in corporate strategy, private equity leadership, and skills-based workforce transformation.

The rising cost of education and its declining return on investment have become a pressing concern. Over the past few decades, tuition costs have skyrocketed beyond inflation, making it harder for students to justify traditional four-year degrees. Meanwhile, employers are still using degrees as hiring proxies despite increasing discussions about skills-based hiring. In this evolving landscape, how can education be restructured to meet both workforce demands and student needs?

How can education move beyond traditional degrees to focus on skills, affordability, and real-world impact?

In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, the President of SkillsWave, and Jason Aubrey, the CEO of Skilltrade, to explore the shifting paradigm of education. They discuss the historical challenges of traditional learning models, the role of AI in curriculum development, and how hybrid and employer-sponsored learning models can redefine workforce readiness.

The main topics of conversation are…

The ROI of Education Needs a Rethink: The traditional one-to-many lecture model is outdated, and many degrees no longer directly correlate with careers. Skills-based hiring is gaining traction as a more effective way to match education with job market needs. The focus must shift to skills that drive career success.

Hybrid and Employer-Sponsored Education: Companies like Skilltrade and SkillsWave are introducing AI-driven, immersive learning experiences combined with hands-on training to make education more practical and cost-effective.

AI’s Transformational Role in Learning: From adaptive learning models to AI-driven curriculum development, technology is making personalized, outcome-focused education a reality.

Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is a leader in upskilling and EdTech, currently serving as the President of SkillsWave, where she drives corporate workforce development through AI-powered learning models. With a career spanning executive roles at Pearson, D2L, and Louisiana State University, she has led large-scale education initiatives, improving online learning, enrollment growth, and employer-sponsored education programs. Her expertise in digital education strategy and skills-based hiring continues to shape the future of workforce training and education technology.

Jason Aubrey is a workforce development and EdTech leader, currently serving as the CEO of Skilltrade, where he focuses on upskilling solutions for healthcare and allied health industries. Previously, he led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc. and served as the CEO of ClearGage, driving innovation in healthcare financing. With experience in scaling tech-enabled businesses globally, he has a proven track record in corporate strategy, private equity leadership, and skills-based workforce transformation.

Dr. Caesar Mickens Jr. and Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, discuss the local workforce obtaining education and jobs in a changing market.

Will Robbins, an Executive Director at Bridgestone Americas, talks the tire industry and his company’s commitment to evolving amid change.

Will Robbins, an Executive Director at Bridgestone Americas, discusses the tire industry, its future, and EVs.

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with automation, AI, and cutting-edge technology redefining how products are made and distributed. Despite these advancements, one challenge remains: gender diversity. Women still hold a disproportionately low number of leadership positions in manufacturing, making stories of female leaders all the more essential. According to a Deloitte report, women make up only 27% of the manufacturing workforce. What does it take to rise in this male-dominated industry, and how can women carve a path in the evolving world of advanced manufacturing?

In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Rachel Potee, Manager of Brand Experience and Influencer Engagement at leading tire manufacturer Bridgestone Americas. The conversation explores Rachel’s career journey, the challenges and opportunities facing women in manufacturing, and how Bridgestone is innovating in a rapidly changing landscape.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry: Rachel shares her experiences navigating motorsports communications and making her mark in manufacturing leadership.

The Future of Manufacturing & Sustainability: Insights into Bridgestone’s approach to circularity, sustainability, and next-generation tire technology.

Building Brand Experience in a Digital World: The evolving role of marketing in creating immersive brand experiences both online and in-person.

Rachel Potee is a strategic marketing leader with over a decade of experience managing brand communications for top global companies, including Bridgestone, Microsoft, and Samsung. She specializes in brand storytelling, influencer engagement, and experiential marketing, helping businesses break through industry noise with insight-driven campaigns. Currently, as Manager of Brand Experience at Bridgestone Americas, she focuses on building immersive consumer connections and shaping the company’s marketing strategy in the evolving world of advanced manufacturing.

Detroit is experiencing a renaissance, but its revival is still unfolding. Leaders like Portia Roberson, CEO of Focus: HOPE, are committed to ensuring that this transformation is inclusive and benefits all communities. As new industries take root and technology reshapes the workforce, Detroit must prioritize equitable access to opportunities. With initiatives like Black Tech Saturdays attracting over 1,200 attendees weekly, the push to bridge economic gaps and uplift the city’s deep-rooted communities has never been more urgent.

How can Detroit build long-term economic resilience while fostering opportunities for all communities?

In the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski continues his conversation with Roberson to explore Detroit’s evolving workforce, its growing tech ecosystem, and the role of organizations in fostering inclusive economic growth. They discuss how the city’s history informs its future, the power of community-driven innovation, and the need for strategic investment in Black and brown entrepreneurs.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Detroit’s Workforce Evolution – As traditional manufacturing jobs decline, new industries such as tech and clean energy are emerging, requiring upskilling and training to prepare Detroiters for the future.

The Role of Community-Driven Initiatives – Initiatives like Black Tech Saturdays and New Lab are reshaping Detroit’s job market by creating networking, funding, and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Investment in Sustainable Growth – Economic development must be inclusive, ensuring that Black and brown entrepreneurs have access to capital and resources to build businesses that contribute to Detroit’s long-term success.

Portia Roberson is the CEO of Focus: HOPE, where she has led workforce development, education, and community empowerment initiatives since 2018. With extensive experience in public service, she previously served as Group Executive for Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity for the City of Detroit and as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice. A trained attorney, she has also worked as Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit, Associate General Counsel at Detroit Medical Center, and Assistant Prosecutor for Wayne County.

Detroit has long been a city of resilience, innovation, and reinvention. Once the heart of American industry, its rebirth has been marked by waves of economic and social transformation. But as new developments reshape the city, the question remains: who gets to be part of this transformation, and how can Black leadership play a central role? Black entrepreneurs and leaders often face systemic challenges in accessing capital, despite their deep roots and contributions to the city. In fact, research shows that nonprofits led by people of color receive less funding than their white-led counterparts.

So how do we ensure that Detroit’s renaissance is truly inclusive? How can Black entrepreneurs and organizations access the resources they need to thrive? In the first episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Dwan Dandridge, the CEO and co-founder of Black Leaders Detroit, to explore how his organization is working to create equitable opportunities for Black businesses and nonprofits in the city. The episode highlights the role of Black leadership in shaping Detroit’s future.

The two discuss…

The legacy of Black Bottom and Detroit’s history of Black entrepreneurship – and how systemic barriers continue to shape economic opportunities today.

How Black Leaders Detroit is addressing funding disparities by creating a financial resource pool controlled by and for Black Detroiters.

The importance of self-determination in economic development and how communities can take control of their own financial futures.

Dwan Dandridge is a Detroit native and the CEO of Black Leaders Detroit, an organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and leaders through equitable funding solutions. With a background spanning skilled trades, business ownership, and community activism, Dandridge’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence and self-determination. His work aims to bridge the gap in funding for Black-led organizations and ensure that Detroit’s economic resurgence benefits all its residents.