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WJR FEATURES | DETROIT ECONOMIC CLUB RISING STARS

760 WJR and the Detroit Economic Club are proud to recognize our 2023 class of Rising Stars!  We’re honoring 10 local leaders ~ all of them under the age of 40 ~ for the impact they’re making in their industries, communities, and families.

Catch a new honorees each Monday from June 26 through August 28 on “‘JR Morning,” or come back to WJR.com and catch up on-demand, anytime!

MEET THE 2022 HONOREES


AARON SOHASKI
DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING AND COMPLIANCE
HENRY FORD HEALTH


Aaron Sohaski is the Director of Contracting and Compliance at Henry Ford Health, and is a seasoned professional with an impressive record of accomplishment in the healthcare industry. In his role at Henry Ford Health has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative contracting and compliance strategies, resulting in improved patient experiences and better alignment of incentives across the healthcare system.


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KRISTIN DONNELLY
ASSISTANT AUTOMOTIVE CONTROLLER
BARTON MALOW


Kristin Donnelly is the Assistant Automotive Controller at Barton Malow, working behind the scenes to ensure that Barton Malow’s automotive book of work is setting realistic goals, putting work into place, and forecasting for the future. She has been involved with some of the company’s most significant projects in its near 100-year history, and is active in her community, both in construction and non-construction related causes.


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DEREK SHINSKA
CLIENT EXECUTIVE
HYLANT


Derek Shinska is a Client Executive at Hylant, specializing in alternative risk solutions for middle market and large market clients. He helps his clients identify the risk management solutions that best fit their industry, culture, history and risk tolerance. Derek has helped Hylant continue their growth trajectory to one of the largest privately-held insurance brokerage firms in the country.


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HEIDI BOYD
PLANNED GIVING OFFICER
MICHIGAN HUMANE


Heidi Boyd is the Planned Giving Officer at Michigan Humane, using her experience with nonprofit fundraising to utilize her connections and inspire donors to make philanthropic commitments. She provides planned giving plans to enable others to invest in the future for the causes they care about most, particularly through their will and estate plans, all in the name of a stronger, vibrant, and more humane greater Detroit community.


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MITCHELL ZAJAC
SHAREHOLDER
BUTZEL


Mitchell Zajac is a Shareholder at Butzel, focusing his practice on automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, sports, and entertainment law. He demonstrates discretion, professionalism, and focus in these areas, with his intellectual property practice including complex patent and trade secret litigations for plaintiffs and defendants in multiple federal district courts across the country. Through his hard work and expertise, Mitch achieved shareholder status in less than half of the standard time.


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MEGAN ROBINSON
MARKETING TEAM LEADER
NBS COMMERCIAL INTERIORS


Megan Robinson is the Marketing Team Leader at NBS Commercial Interiors and organizes all NBS events internally, working with other community leaders and connections that NBS supports. She is passionate about creating impactful and compelling brand communication strategies, as well as delivering exceptional client experiences. She is a strong believer in the power of space to engage people, inspire innovation, and foster organizational culture.


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DAN FAYAD
RETAIL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT


Dan Fayad is the Retail Property Management and Community Development Consultant. Upon returning to Fairlane in October 2021, Dan elevated the mall’s occupancy rate from 71% to 95%, showcasing his exceptional leadership, as well as his management specialty in revitalizing and attracting business to the mall. He initiated and organized community events that showcased the diverse and ethnic backgrounds of his shoppers, and has strengthened the mall’s position as a place for them to gather, be embraced, and connect.


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CEZI SIOTEAN
SALESFORCE OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

MEDICARE OPERATIONS & RETENTION
HEALTH ALLIANCE PLAN


Cezi Siotean is the Salesforce Operations Administrator of Medicare Operations & Retention at Health Alliance Plan. Over the last two years, Cezi has made an immediate impact as part of the DEC Young Leaders Program, serving as part of the Young Leaders Board. She works tirelessly and proactively to represent her organization at community events, and currently leads the implementation of a new IT platform for her company, working alongside a global team.


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STEVE CAREY
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER OF
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY
OSWALD COMPANIES


Steve Carey is the Regional Sales Manager of Property and Casualty at Oswald Companies. He regularly shares his expertise as a contributor to Finishing & Coating magazine and as a cybersecurity panelist. Steve is dedicated to conscious capitalism and shines as both a leader and mentor to his team, demonstrating ambition, professionalism, and passion in all that he does.


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GENNA YOUNG
SENIOR MANAGER OF DETROIT

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
GENERAL MOTORS


Genna Young is the Senior Manager of Community Partnerships at General Motors. She brings innovation, creativity, and problem-solving to her role, being a driving force to GM’s “Learn, Work, Thrive” strategic framework. Genna is committed to excellence, is committed to building strong relationships, and helps drive positive impact and measurable results for her company and their objectives.

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ABOUT THE DETROIT ECONOMIC CLUB:

The Detroit Economic Club (DEC) was formed in 1934 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to the discussion and debate of important business, government, and social issues. The DEC continues to provide a platform for distinguished international dignitaries and business leaders who represent the changing global environment. It is known internationally as an important venue for prominent business and government leaders – a forum they can use to explore issues that will help shape the dynamic 21st Century economic environment.

The DEC offers its members a variety of meetings, groups, and activities, Including the Young Leader program, which brings together a generation on the rise to develop, inspire, and connect.

Learn more and become a member at EconClub.org.


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