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Welcome
Welcome
ZLI Zell Alumni Summit in 2023! Many of you have been engaged with us as students and alumni and this is your opportunity to continue your entrepreneurial journey with ZLI by participating in our flagship alumni program.
This is your digital access for this 2023 Zell Alumni Summit program. On this site, you can access the full agenda, all participant, coach and presenter bios, D-Trek company information, dinner location, and more!
Are you ready to move the needle on your startup and would like to leverage the power of your Michigan alumni affiliation? This program is designed to support our alumni entrepreneurs in achieving startup growth, by making resources and connections available to broaden your networks and develop new strategies for taking your businesses to the next level.
Twenty-eight Alumni/ae entrepreneurs were invited back to Ann Arbor to participate. This year, these Alums represent diversity in geographic location and industry, but ALL bleed Maize & Blue!
Meet Michigan degree holders turned founders, CEOs, investors from 13 states and 2 countries. They bring experience in industries that include: Brain Computer Interface, Software, Consulting, E-commerce, Employee Engagement Platform, Financial Advising, Investments, VC, Fintech, Food and Beverage/ CPG, Gaming, Health Tech, Healthcare, Human Services/Social Impact, Innovation, IT, Manufacturing/Sustainability, Medical Device Manufacture, Real Estate, SaaS, Job Recruiting App, Search Fund, Sporting Goods.
Testimonials from past program participants:
Testimonials from past program participants:
“The coaching and networking has already yielded several high-potential introductions and leads for both sales and investment. I also really enjoyed the speakers and panel discussions.”
“As someone who didn’t know they were an entrepreneur until 4 years after graduating from Ross - ZLI has been invaluable! The micro-coaching sessions gave me a ton of ideas/opportunities to think through and re-energized me as I focus on growing my business.”
“It is great to feel like a part of a larger network of people on the same path. Sometimes I think of Zell-Lurie as just the Institute and professors but its good to be reminded of and connect with my peers. Thanks!”
“Startups are hard. Nice to know that our Michigan family continues to care about us and wants to support us even after we've graduated. ”
Thanks to our 2023 D-Trek Partners
Thanks to our 2023 D-Trek Partners
ZLI is grateful for the support of these U-M Alum-founded businesses and their partnership in creating value for this entrepreneurial network.
As Founder of MoGo, Lisa Nuszkowski (U-M MPP 2003) has worked on affordable, accessible shared mobility in Detroit since 2012, raising more than $5 million to support the launch and expansion of bike share in the city and the region. She also served as the project lead for Open Streets Detroit, a three-year initiative that temporarily closed parts of city streets to car traffic and turned them into safe, active, and welcoming spaces for the community. A proud resident of Detroit for 16 years, Lisa loves connecting with the city’s people and places by bike, transit, and on foot. Nuszkowski is now the president of M1-Rail.
A native of Detroit, MI, Adriel Thornton has been an entrepreneur, community activist, creative contributor, and nightlife convener. As MoGo’s Executive Director, Adriel utilizes his expertise in community relations to execute, with the other members of the MoGo team, community interactions, events, and representational opportunities that propel the MoGo brand forward. Thornton is also responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, fundraising, and more.
Learn more at: mogodetroit.org
Avalon International Breads is a “right livelihood business” which means that we have three bottom lines that inform every aspect of our business.
Earth
We proudly make and serve high quality and delicious food and beverages that are fresh and sourced locally whenever possible.
Community
We aspire to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need. We support organizations and projects that create a healthier, more vibrant Detroit.
Employees
Commitment to the health and well being of our employees means fair wages, good benefits and an environment that encourages growth. By working at a “right livelihood business,” all of us at Avalon benefit from an opportunity to live a life bigger than ourselves.
Learn more at: avalonbreads.net
Stacy Fox is a founder and principal of the Roxbury Group, and has been instrumental in the efforts to revitalize downtown Detroit. In addition to Roxbury's development activities, Stacy was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in 2013 to serve as Deputy Emergency Manager of the City of Detroit, where she played a key role in guiding the City through the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history. She served as a member of the executive committee of Downtown Detroit Partnership for more than ten years and was the founding chair of its Stakeholders Committee. She is the founder and donor advisor of the Detroit of Tomorrow Fund (formerly Collins & Aikman Foundation), a 501c3 foundation dedicated to initiatives that benefit the City, its residents and visitors. Ms. Fox was also a gubernatorial appointee to the board of directors of Michigan Fast Track Land Bank Authority and served as it initial chairperson. In 2016, she was recognized by Crain's as one of Michigan's 100 most influential women and is a past recipient of Automotive News 100 leading women in the automotive industry award. Stacy has 30 years experience as a corporate and restructuring attorney and executive advisor to CEO's and boards of directors. Most recently, she was General Counsel of DowDupont Corporation. Prior to her role at DowDuPont and since 2000, Stacy has served as the top legal officer for three other Fortune 100 companies. She graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and also received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.
David Di Rita is a founder and principal of the Roxbury Group. He has over 30 years of corporate, legal and transactional experience. David is actively involved in the firm's real estate development and advisory work, typically involving challenging and complex projects, utilizing public and private financing. Prior to the Roxbury Group, David was a corporate and transaction attorney and real estate executive including senior positions at Tower Automotive, Visteon Corporation and Johnson Controls, as well as associate and of-counsel positions at both Dickinson Wright and Foley & Lardner. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. David serves on the Board of Directors for the downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone and is the President of the Detroit Entertainment District Association.
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