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Van Gogh Exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Dec. 19, 2022
Kathleen McBroom, a lifelong resident of Beverly Hills, is a librarian, educator, and most recently, a docent at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Kathleen conducts tours - both on-site and virtual - for visitors, families, and special groups, which can range from wedding parties to corporate functions to Cub Scouts. When she's not at the museum, Kathleen teaches at Wayne State and fills in occasionally as a substitute librarian at the Baldwin Public Library. |
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Birmingham's Archaeological History
Jan. 09, 2023
Caitlin Donnelly is a museum specialist at the Birmingham Museum, where she has worked for over seven years and specializes in educational outreach. Before coming to Birmingham, she worked at the Minnesota Children's Museum and the Carver County Historical Society. Caitlin has a Masters in Anthropology from Wayne State University. State senator Mallory McMarrow has called her a "local treasure" on Twitter, and since it is illegal to lie on the internet, it must be true.
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Jan. 16, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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State Representative for the Birmingham Area
Jan. 23, 2023
Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) is serving her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing Michigan’s 19th District, which is comprised of portions of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Farmington Hills, Franklin, Southfield, and Southfield Twp. As a lifelong resident of Farmington Hills, Rep. Steckloff has been a consistent and tenacious leader on the issues that impact her communities. She spent seven years as a Farmington Hills City Councilmember where she created a Commission on Community Health – the first of its kind in the State of Michigan, authored a municipal Human Rights Ordinance, and worked to expand green energy and sustainable buildings. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31, Rep. Steckloff understands the need to reform health care in Michigan so no person will go bankrupt battling a life-threatening disease. She understands how difficult it can be to get ahead when you’re trying to pay health insurance, rent, and basic living expenses with wages that have been too low for too long. Elected to the State House in 2020, Rep. Steckloff serves on the Appropriations Committee where she is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges. She also serves on the sub-committees for Joint Capital Outlay, School Aid, Transportation, and General Government, and has been appointed Finance Chair for the Michigan House Democrats for the 2024 campaign cycle. Rep. Steckloff is a proud Purdue Boilermaker and lives in Farmington Hills with her husband Brandon and their dog Garth. |
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SCHOLAR Birmingham
Jan. 30, 2023
Rob Lawrence's career has spanned commercial banking, mergers and acquisition syndication, consulting, real estate development, and property brokerage. He is directly responsible for over $2.1 billion of new deal origination. He has served the Birmingham Public School system in various capacities for over 25 years, serving 13 years as Board Trustee and President. He is currently an associate broker for @properties Christie's International Real Estate in Birmingham. He continues his service to the Birmingham Schools as trustee and treasurer of SCHOLAR Birmingham, a scholarship fund celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. |
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Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century
Feb. 13, 2023
An interesting new narrative has arisen around the need for nuclear energy and how an emerging set of privately funded companies are attempting to take a new set of nuclear energy products to commercialization. Today's presentation will describe the energy system trends driving this innovation, the imperatives driving nuclear energy development, and associated policy implications. Dr. Todd Allen is currently a Professor at the University of Michigan, where he serves as the Chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences. He is also a Senior Fellow at Third Way, a DC-based think tank, supporting Third Way’s Clean Energy Portfolio. He was the Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the Idaho National Laboratory from January 2013 through January 2016. Prior to INL, he was a Professor in the Engineering Physics Department at the University of Wisconsin. From March 2008 to December 2012, he was concurrently the Scientific Director of the Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility at INL. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin, he was a Nuclear Engineer at Argonne National Laboratory-West in Idaho Falls. His 1997 Doctoral Degree in Nuclear Engineering was from the University of Michigan, and his 1984 Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering was from Northwestern University. Prior to graduate work, he was an officer in the United States Navy Nuclear Power Program. |
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Feb. 15, 2023 - Feb. 22, 2023
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Detroit Grand Prix
Feb. 20, 2023
Letty Azar joined Penske Corporation in 2021 as Vice President of Community of Government Affairs. In her role, she has helped coordinate the relocation of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, presented by Lear, to Downtown Detroit in 2023. Working in collaboration with Detroit residents, businesses, community organizations, and public leaders, Azar has helped bring the Grand Prix back to its original home on the streets of the downtown corridor, incorporating Penske Corporation’s commitment to excellence, innovative thinking, and focus on improving local neighborhoods. Prior to joining Penske Corporation, Azar held various leadership roles in healthcare, focusing on government advocacy, policy,and program development. Most recently,she served as a key member of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration. Through her leadership role with the city, Azarbrought city residents together around design and implementation of innovative approaches to improve quality of life and ultimately build stronger neighborhoods in Detroit. |
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Crime Stoppers of Michigan
Feb. 27, 2023
Daniel J. DiBardino is the Managing Director with Recon Management Group with over 40 years of senior corporate security experience. Recon Management Group delivers global security and investigative solutions. Additionally, Mr. DiBardino currently serves as the President and CEO of Crime Stoppers of Michigan and is also a member on the Advisory Committee of Proving Innocence of Michigan. He continues to be a security advisor for a number of corporate and educational institutions. He has authored numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on corporate security issues. Mr. DiBardino received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. |
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Funeral of Molly Swart at St. James Church in Birmingham at 11:00 a.m.
Mar. 06, 2023
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Diversification of Businesses and Operations
Mar. 13, 2023
Christopher A. Kouza – Chairman & Founder, KOUZA Capital and KOUCAR Christopher Kouza is a licensed attorney and American businessman. As a child, Christopher learned his business philosophy from his father, Wijdi (Jack) Kouza, co-founder and Vice President of Group 10 Management. While working with his father, Christopher learned the business fundamentals of cost, quality, speed, and innovation. Christopher’s legal career spans over a decade, and, in that time, he was an associate attorney for Cohen Lerner and Rabinovitz PC and later a partner and director of litigation for Aidenbaum Schloff and Bloom PC. As an attorney, Christopher handled complex litigation for privately held businesses and banking institutions. During his legal career, Christopher represented banks and financial institutions, such as Peoples State Bank, Paramount Bank, Main Street Bank, Citizens Bank, Comerica Bank, and various other financial institutions and credit unions. In 2009, Christopher was hired by People’s State Bank as Director of Managed Assets and First Vice President. In that capacity Christopher managed a one- hundred-million-dollar portfolio bad-debt porfolio. Christopher has leveraged his education, business acumen, skills, and family wealth to form Kouza Capital. Today, Christopher Kouza's companies own and manage in excess of a 700-million-dollar portfolio of real estate, technology, and business holdings. |
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Birmingham Shopping District's Strategies Moving Forward
Mar. 20, 2023
With over 20 years of downtown management experience, Cristina Sheppard-Decius leads the Birmingham Shopping District as its Executive Director, bringing forth both fresh and proven economic and marketing strategies for Downtown Birmingham. Sheppard-Decius is known nationally and locally for her proven track record of revitalizing Downtown Ferndale during her tenure as the Executive Director of the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority from 2000 to 2015, and also for building a collaborative organizational framework in Downtown Dearborn from 2015 to 2022 through her company POW! Strategies, Inc. Her 25 years of knowledge and know-how in public relations, marketing, volunteer organizational management, and economic development provide the basis for developing and implementing strategies to grow downtowns. Recognized as one of Crain's Detroit Business 40 Under 40 in 2009, Sheppard-Decius holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Western Michigan University and is a Certified Main Street Manager of the National Main Street Center. Sheppard-Decius serves as the Chairperson of the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) and has previously served on the International Council of Shopping Centers Michigan Alliance. |
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The Coolest Car Museum You’ve Never Heard Of
Mar. 27, 2023
Jill Woodward grew up in Birmingham, graduated from Seaholm High School, and received her bachelor’s degree from Boston University. Her career has taken her from the Ilitch organization to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Michigan State University’s Community Music School-Detroit. Her background includes successful fundraising initiatives and projects to build new audiences and promote the value of arts and culture. Since 2022, Woodward has been the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum celebrates a transformative period in Detroit history. Modeled after turn-of-the-century New England textile mills, this National Historic Landmark was built in 1904 and subsequently saved from destruction by community volunteers in 2000. Now it attracts over 30,000 visitors annually from 75 countries, and is an anchor development in the resurgent Milwaukee Junction neighborhood just east of New Center. The Museum offers a variety of events, tours, and family fun activities, as well as educational programming. |
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Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan
Apr. 03, 2023
Dan Layman, who has degrees from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, served as President and CEO of Ele's Place Michigan for seven years. His work focused on transitioning the organization from a regional provider of peer-support services to an integrated, statewide organization with the vision of reaching all grieving families in Michigan. Prior to Ele's Place, he worked for several Michigan-based hospices. He served over ten years as a member of the Hospice of Michigan management team and helped grow the organization into one of the largest hospice providers in the country. Dan‘s passion for non-profit work stems from his time supporting grieving families and witnessing the pain and distress unresolved grief can have on individuals, families, and the larger community. Recently Dan joined the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan as Community Liaison Manager, where he works to advocate and improve access to support for children and families facing blood cancer.
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Apr. 07, 2023
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Beginning Genealogy
Apr. 17, 2023
Judy has been researching her family tree from the age of 12, specializing in French-Canadian, Acadian, Native American, and Michigan research because of her own family heritage. Owner of the website Lineage Journeys, she conducts research for clients and offers presentations across the US, Canada, and the world. She also travels to research in archives/repositories and the locations of her ancestral homes in Scotland, France, Germany, and around the US. Judy is the President of the Oakland County Genealogical Society, Vice-President of the Michigan Genealogical Council, Awards Chair of the National Genealogical Society, and a member of many other genealogical societies and organizations. As a Lakota and Métis woman who also has northern European ancestry, Judy is a leader in her spiritual community. |
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Anti-Defamation League
Apr. 24, 2023
As the Anti-Defamation League’s Senior Vice President for National Affairs, George Selim leads all external engagement at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as community and civic engagement efforts nationally. The scope of his work also includes national law enforcement outreach and partnerships. George served in the administrations of Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump. He was the Department of Homeland Security’s Director of the Office for Community Partnerships and also the leader of the Countering Violent Extremism Task Force. Before that, George served on the National Security Council Staff. Prior to his work at the White House, George served at the DHS Office for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties. He has also worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Arab American Institute, and served one year with AmeriCorps. George holds an MA from Georgetown University and a BA from Walsh University. |
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My Amazing Journey with Autism
May 15, 2023
Ron Sandison works full-time in the medical field and is an advisory board member of both the Art of Autism Collaborative Project and the Els Center of Excellence. Sandison has a Master of Divinity Degree from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism; Thought, Choice, Action; and Views from the Spectrum. He speaks at over 70 events a year, including 25 educational conferences. Ron and his wife Kristen reside in Rochester Hills with their daughter Makayla. |
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Hope Against Trafficking
Jun. 05, 2023
Lexie Schwarze has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience. Her confidence, energy, and experience are what fuels her ability to lead and take a practical approach to problem solving.
Before accepting the position as Executive Director for Hope Against Trafficking, Lexie worked as a Life Impact Director for Woodside Bible Church. In this role, she developed outreach programs; created and developed Woodside’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program called Unshackled; and built the Church’s Life Impact Department from the ground up. Lexie also developed global partnerships for Woodside in eight countries and helped create a regional outreach event that drew over 21,000 attendees.
Before joining Woodside, Lexie served as an Account Executive for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and a Research Analyst for WXYZ-Channel 7 Action News.
Lexie lives in Lake Orion with her husband Fred of 32 years, her son Spencer, and their bloodhound Dixie. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Communication, with a minor in Computer Science, from Oakland University. |
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Talking About Sex Won’t Get You Pregnant… And Talking About Death Won’t Kill You
Jun. 12, 2023
Liza Altenburg is a lifelong Metro Detroiter, an animal lover, and a bereaved daughter. She has channeled the pain of her unexpected loss into a passion for protecting people from the very same trauma that she experienced when she unexpectedly lost her dad. She helps families to have peace of mind by simply starting that conversation that they’ve been putting off. A seasoned public speaker, Liza enjoys sharing her story and finds healing in the process. She currently serves as the Family Service Manager at Acacia Park Cemetery in Beverly Hills, MI. |
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