2025 Guest Speakers
Renard Richmond is a City of Detroit Construction Manager. He works in the Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department (CRIO) and Detroit at Work.
Renard is part of the newly envisioned Employer Engagement Team and has the unique opportunity to build and grow an innovative strategy for employer engagement within Detroit’s workforce system. His role creates, coordinates, and engages select employers, training providers, and community partners to maintain the pulse on Detroit’s Work Force Development. He champions the role of compliance to the Mayor’s Executive Orders, Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) Agreements and Community Benefit Ordinates. He is responsible for creating and implementing the workforce strategy for construction and infrastructure, as well as building pathways to employment for Detroit residents.
Renard is a native Detroiter and Graduate of Detroit Public School’s Murray- Wright High School, Ferris State University, and the University of Phoenix. He is passionate about community and workforce development; always seeking to help others become better. As a licensed builder, he has built a career in the construction industry for over 25 years as a Teacher, Tradesmen and Businessman. His personal motto is the African proverb:
“If you give a man a fish, He will eat for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.”
renard richmond
Construction Outreach Manager at Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity for the City of Detroit
Ryan
Friedrichs
Vice President of Development Related Companies
Jason Lee is the President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan (JASEM). He is responsible for leading and managing the strategy, fund development and operations for the regional non-profit organization. Jason Lee works feverishly to transform the lives of the most disadvantaged and disconnected members of the region through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness exposure and training.
Jason lee
President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan
Todd Sachse is the CEO of Sachse Construction. Todd formed Sachse Construction in 1991 on the foundation of a systematic approach to project management, and the principles of doing the right thing and pursuing excellence by constantly raising the bar. Over the past 29 years, he has developed a loyal clientele of high-end customers who require detailed expertise in design and construction. As a result, Todd has driven Sachse Construction to successfully complete millions of square feet of commercial, institutional, multifamily, and industrial projects throughout all 50 States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
todd Sachse
CEO of Sachse Construction
Charity
Dean
Director, Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity at City of Detroit
Charisma
Carlisle
Bricklayers, Local 2, RAM Construction
Alycia
Meriweather
Deputy Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District
JOHN D.
PERKINS, JR.
Founder of Legacy Development Foundation & Chairman of Apprentice Mentor Committee MRCC
Christopher T
Jackson
Managing Partner, Queen Lillian Development, LLC
MYles
Hamby
Senior Development Manager at The Platform
Dana L. Williams is Chief of Staff & Director of Employer Engagement for Detroit @ Work in the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development as a part of the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) team. She is responsible for leading strategic partnerships with employers while also serving as an advisor to the Executive Director in executing the vision of the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board to build talent pipelines of Detroiters for key industries.
Prior to this role, Dana had a progressive career at DTE Energy serving in various leadership roles in Human Resources and Public Affairs. She designed people strategies and programming in areas such as talent management, diversity marketing, customer advocacy, community outreach, and charitable contribution programs drawing alignment across corporate social responsibility platforms. Specific duties included maintaining and growing corporate sponsorships and grant awards, coordinating placement of DTE personnel in organizational leadership positions and at events to maximize DTE's visibility in the community, operationalizing corporate outreach, designing crisis management processes, executing company annual meetings, managing neighborhood engagement programs, deploying legislative advocacy campaigns, and serving as an internal consultant to DTE leadership on community involvement. Dana has also had successful experiences in various industries such as aerospace & defense and professional services in human resources operations, workforce development, sales & marketing, and public education.
Dana is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit XLI class and an active member of the Renaissance Chapter of The Links, Inc. She has served on multiple nonprofit committees and boards and is currently on the City of Detroit Civil Service Commission and the United Way of Southeast Michigan’s Governance & Nominating Committee and 2020-2021 Campaign Cabinet. She was a member of the New Paradigm Loving Glazer Academies Charter School Board and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Young Professionals Committee. She has served as president of both the Michigan Diversity Council and the Detroit Society of Human Resource Management. She earned a Corp! Magazine Salute to Diversity Award in 2010, received the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award in 2013, and was named one of the “40 Under 40” by the Michigan Chronicle that same year.
Dana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish and a secondary teaching certificate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has a Master of Management degree with a concentration in Marketing from Walsh College.
Dana L. Williams
Chief of Staff & Director of Employer Engagement for
Detroit at Work
A nationally recognized award-winning entrepreneur and industry trailblazer, Deana Neely is a force to be reckoned with. Possessing over ten years of construction experience, Deana is founder and CEO of Detroit Voltage; Detroit Michigan’s fastest growing 100% black woman owned electrical contracting firm. Detroit Voltage is leading the charge along with other partners by supporting renewable energy projects and electric vehicle infrastructure to reduce the carbon footprint.
A certified Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Deana is passionate about serving the underserved city of Detroit as well as creating opportunities for training and employment to the community that raised her. She also supports women through the process of launching a construction company.
Due to her industry expertise and service excellence, Deana has been featured and recognized by companies such as the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, Google, Essence, DTE Energy and Forbes Next 1000 awardees for entrepreneurship. In addition to her professional accolades, Deana serves on the board of the US Minority Contractor Association (USMCA Michigan Chapter) and The National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWICDetroit).
Deana is a dedicated mom to two amazing children who are ready to make their own mark in the construction world. Together they are creating their future and making Detroit a brighter place to live.
Deana Neely
Founder & CEO of
Detroit Voltage
Born and raised in the infamous zip code 48205 of Detroit, MI, one of the world's most dangerous cities, Keyon Clinton is not a statistic! He received his Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in electrical engineering, but he knew that he had a greater calling in life.
After retiring from engineering at 28, Keyon decided to pursue his true calling, impacting others. Keyon, an advocate for execution, delivers the life changing message of becoming 1% Better daily and it has led him to become an award-winning international speaker. Inspiring others has also led him to becoming the best-selling author of Healing the Living Dead “Habits that shift you from a Morgue mentality to a Forbes mentality”. Understanding that personal health has a direct correlation to your business health; Keyon became a two-time award-winning bodybuilder and created the 1% Better Nation that has trained thousands of people. His philanthropic character has driven him to invest in youth advancement and create the non-profit organization, F.A.M.I.L.Y Forget About Me, I Love You!
Keyon’s global company and brand 1% Better is focused on helping people grow holistically and execute at a high level. As of now they have impacted people in over 15 countries and 34 states. On a mission to help professionals develop their personal lives, businesses and careers Keyon created the 1% Better University which develops professional’s portfolios to increase their revenue and impact within their business. Out of all of his accomplishment at the age of 31, his greatest accomplishment is being a servant of the Lord!
Keyon has been featured on WDIV Detroit, Fox 2 Detroit, the Michigan Chronicle, Black Speakers Network, COBO Hall, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, Who’s Who in Detroit, 30 under 30 Detroit Entrepreneur and the Magic Johnson Foundation. Keyon Clinton was also a 2018, 2019 and 2020 receipt of The Top 25 Millennials in Detroit. In 2021, Keyon was a recipient of Forbes Next 1000 which highlighted the next 1000 entrepreneurs who are industry leaders impacting the world.
Keyon clinton
Author, Speaker, and Mentor
James Van Dyke joined the Roxbury Group in 2006 and currently serves as its President, overseeing the firm's development and asset management activity. In this capacity, he plays a key role in identifying, analyzing and implementing new projects as well as manages asset strategy for the company's growing portfolio. James is particularly adept at finding creative solutions to financing urban redevelopment projects. In recent years, he has focused on promoting Roxbury's commitment to local workforce development and mixed-income housing solutions. James earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Michigan, is a member of the Leadership Detroit XXIX and DBusiness' 2013 30 in Their 30s.
James Van Dyke
President, The Roxbury Group
Clifford brings over twenty-five years of real estate, corporate and investment finance and banking experience. As President and CEO, he oversees operations for Woodborn Partners and its affiliate companies (Woodborn Property Management and Woodborn Capital & Investment). Previously, he provided financial analysis and support of Ford Motor Land Development’s hotel, landscaping company and property/project managers for over 5 million square feet of commercial space locally and nationally. In his capacity in Investment Finance, he supported the issuance of over $4B of securitized debt and successfully executed approximately $500M in note pay downs of Lease and Retail facilities. Clifford is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he graduated with a BS and a Master’s in Finance; a graduate of the Urban Land Institute's Robert C. Larson Center for Leadership program. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Brush Park Community Development Corporation and the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program.
CLIFF BROWN
Managing Partner, Woodborn Partners
Beth O’Connor is the VP of Programs at Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan. As a member of the senior leadership team, she will work closely with the President to develop and implement the organization’s programming and volunteer engagement strategies. Prior to JA, Beth worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit for 18 years, last serving as the VP of Program Operations. Beth is licensed in Restorative Practices with demonstrated leadership in program management, youth development and DEI.
Beth O’Connor
VP of Programs of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan
As Deputy Mayor, Todd A. Bettison oversees many aspects of City government and serves as a bridge to community leaders and activists across the political spectrum.
The son of a Detroit schoolteacher, Bettison comes to the position of Deputy Mayor following a distinguished 27-year career with the Detroit Police Department and was second in command to Chief James White. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of the department’s community relations, as well as administrative functions of DPD.
Bettison rose through the ranks quickly at DPD, starting in 1994 as a patrol officer. Within five years, he was promoted to sergeant and to lieutenant one year later, each time scoring the highest of any candidate in the department on the promotional exam. Bettison continued his rise and was promoted to Inspector, Captain, Commander and eventually Deputy Chief in 2017. Bettison holds a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice and a Graduate Business Certificate from the Mike Ilitch School of Business. He is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University's School of Police Staff and Command and Oakland University's Six Sigma/Lean Management Certification-Green Belt Program.
As Deputy Mayor, Bettison will fill in for Mayor Duggan if the Mayor is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties. Given his extensive law enforcement background, Bettison will oversee all enforcement-related activities from police to blight enforcement and more.
Todd A.Bettison
Deputy Mayor of the
City of Detroit
Ashley
Johnson
Executive Director of the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN)
Adrienne
Bennett
President and CEO, Benkari Plumbing & Water Conservation Contractor
Keyon
Clinton
International Speaker, Author, and Founder
Marlowe
Stoudamire
Social Capital Expert, Butterfly Effect Detroit
Rick
Snyder
Michigan’s 48th Governor
Camille
Martin
Project Engineer, Sachse Construction
David
Alade
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Century Partners
Mike
Duggan
Mayor of the City of Detroit
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