It’s Your Community

Sunday, May 9, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Shandy Longcore is the founder and president of Embracing Imperfections, a non-profit on a mission of eradicating suicide. She is a graduate of Aquinas College and competed on a national level in both track and basketball. Her last job was serving MVP Athletic Club-Rockford as its director. She now speaks on behalf of suicide awareness and prevention. Her laugh is absolutely infectious.

Sunday, May 2, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed David Stanislaw, a psychotherapist with a business consulting practice that helps companies improve the health of their workplace environments. He focused on resolving workplace conflict amongst team members; executive and employee coaching, facilitating succession planning issues/stress amongst the management team and helping companies as well as individual employees work through all the emotional and workplace issues caused by Covid-19. David Stanislaw is the principal with Stanislaw Consulting is one of the Partner Companies of The Jayne Group.

Sunday, April 25, 2021 ~ Camille Jayne, president of the Janye Group. She is the Founder & CEO, The Jayne Group - Helping business leaders and their teams deliver unbelievable results faster and more profitably than they could ever imagine. She was instrumental in launching the Women’s Business Institute (WBIUSA). She talked about the work she does with her clients and mentors as they focuses on branding, turnover and working in teams.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Jennifer Dickow owner of PearlaBella and Todd from Todd’s Room in Birmingham about Small businesses surviving through the COVID-19 pandemic and how small businesses are helping each other market their businesses. Todd started to feature products from other businesses to help market other businesses while offering more products in his store. Todd Skog co-owner of Todd’s Room has been doing what he loves best for more than 30 years which is helping women look and feel beautiful. Since opening his one-man room in '96 to having his ultimate dream come true of a 6000 sq ft beauty apothecary located in the up coming triangle district in Birmingham. Jennifer has spent her entire career in automotive in the purchasing sector where she recently retired in late 2019 after 31 years at FiatChrysler. Her degree in Architecture and curiosity and love of travel led her to a business that has grown since its inception in 1998. Her plans after retiring from automotive were to grow her jewelry business which specializes in freshwater pearls and jewelry from all over the world.

Sunday, April 11, 2021 ~ It’s Your Community April 11, 2021

Vanessa Interviewed Rachel Monteverdi as a change agent, a consultant and a coach. She has extensive background as a Gallup Strengths Coach and in Stephen Covey’s approach to Leadership and the 7 Habits of Successful People. As a coach, Rachel’s aim is to listen intently and with curiosity and reflection, ask thoughtful questions, and advocate for the smallest actions that may evoke the greatest transformations. With more than 20 years of experience in working with and within corporations, industry, nonprofits, higher education, government and community groups, Rachel Monteverdi’s focus is to provide positive impacts and results through research-based, best practice solutions. She is the Chief Empowerment Officer of Next Level –> Next Step.

Sunday, April 4, 2021 ~ It’s Your Community April 4, 2021

Vanessa interviewed Stephen Ray, Catholic Convert and Pilgrimage Leader about Easter Sunday and how this Christian Holiday is celebrated all over the world including in the Holy Land. He takes people of all different faiths to pilgrimage trips in various parts of the world including Israel, Iraq, and Egypt to learn about biblical history. www.footprintsofGod.com

Sunday, March 28, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Samino Scott, executive director of the Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership. This includes a large group of powerful organizations that came together to form this group to help move the city of Pontiac forward. Oakland University has been offering some support through our OU / Pontiac initiative to help kickstart their introduction to the area. https://www.pontiaccollectiveimpact.org/our-team

Sunday, March 5, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Dawn Poteau from Talent Activators. As a Certified Coach with her own business, she helps leaders navigate through critical transitional

periods. She helps individuals and organizations on transitions and leadership. She also focuses on collaborating and connecting with community members. We also discussed how COVID-19 impacted organizations and leaders and the work she does today.

Sunday, March 14, 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Gavin Brown from the The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) which recently announced the selection of Chippewa County in the state’s Upper Peninsula as the site of its new command and control center. Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association is a member-supported organization that serves the interests of Michigan’s aerospace and defense manufacturing firms with a single unified voice, promoting the state of Michigan’s aerospace and defense manufacturing community within the global industry. www.michman.org.

Sunday, March 7. 2021 ~ Vanessa interviewed Melissa Tolstyka, Hegira Health Clinical Director. Hegira Health is a leader in suicide prevention services and has recently launched two initiatives. Melissa spoke about the suicide prevention services Hegira Health offers to the community. She shared her expertise as a community leader in the mental health industry.