OUR TEAM
consists of a dedicated board of directors, a small yet highly capable staff team, and lots of volunteers!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOCELYN CHEN (Executive Director)
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR // DESIGNCONNECT
Ms. Chen is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization DESIGNCONNECT. She is also the principal of Jocelyn Chen Design, and serves on the Advisory Board of Oakland University Center for Public Humanities, as well as the Asian American Advisory Committee for Detroit Public TV. From 2013 to 2016, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Global Design at General Motor Co. Prior to that position, she was the Operations Director of GM China Design based in Shanghai. Ms. Chen’s tenure with General Motors spanned over 20 years, comprising of a diverse range of positions in manufacturing, engineering and design. She holds a B.S. in Engineering from Oakland University, a Master degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, and a B.A in Art History from Oakland University.
CHRIS BENJAMIN (Board Chair)
HEAD of Jeep®, Chrysler and Advanced Interior Design // Stellantis
Chris Benjamin was appointed Head of the Jeep®, Chrysler and Advanced Interior Design in January 2017. In this position, he leads advance packaging and interior development programs while maintaining responsibility of the interior design direction for the Jeep and Chrysler brands for FCA North America. Prior to his appointment, Benjamin served as the Head of Interior Design where he led the interior design development of the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Jeep Wrangler and the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Prior to joining FCA, Chris held a number of positions with increasing responsibilities at Volvo Car Corporation, BMW Designworks, and Mercedes-Benz. Benjamin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in transportation industrial design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit in 1999.
MOLLY BEAUREGARD (Board Vice Chair)
PROFESSOR of Sociology // College for Creative Studies
Molly Beauregard is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Loyola University Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh, holding master’s degrees in both public administration and sociology. She has been a professor of sociology for seventeen years at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Michigan. Molly is the Founder and Executive Director of the Tuning the Student Mind Foundation. This innovative effort to support consciousness centered education programs across the country was initially developed at CCS. Molly has presented this template for learning at the National Art Education Association, Contemplative Mind in Society at Amherst College, as well as several other national conferences. Molly has also been a faculty advisor for professors and administrators at Pratt Institute, Saint Francis College and the David Lynch Foundation.
BETH CAFARO, JD
PHILANTHROPIST
Beth is an active philanthropist serving on the board of Gleaners, Eisenhower Dance Detroit and Lourdes Senior Community.
JOHN CORSO-ESQUIVEL, PhD, MFA
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of Art History // Davidson College
John Corso-Esquivel (ess-kee-BELL) is an associate professor of art history at Davidson College (NC). His book, Feminist Subjectivities in Fiber Art and Craft: Shadows of Affect, was published in 2019 as a part of Routledge's Research in Gender and Art series. From 2018-2019, he served as the Critical Studies and Humanities Fellow at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He participated in the CUE Foundation and the AICA-USA's Young Art Critic Mentoring program. Corso's art writing has appeared in ArtPapers, ART21 Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, The Huffington Post, Art in America, The DIA Bulletin, BE Magazine, and Hyperallergic. John holds a doctorate from Cornell, master's degrees from Tufts and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and an undergraduate degree from Williams College. His current book project is Pharmaesthetics: Pill Culture in Contemporary Art.
KELLY DEINES, IIDA, LEED AP
ARCHITECT
Kelly was ROSSETTI's creative conscience. He dares ROSSETTI's designers, consultants and clients to release their inner swagger. Kelly's imaginative interior architecture is found in the firm’s sports, hospitality and commercial projects. Using ROSSETTI’s Return on DesignTM approach, he creates hospitality that is vibrant, activated and relevant to patrons. He has a deep understanding of how culture affects brand, and seamlessly integrates art, context and messaging into cohesive design themes. Kelly engages passionately with the worlds of art, academia and design. He’s a natural teacher and has been a mentor and teacher to students at Detroit-area universities for two decades. Kelly generously gives his ideas back to the community through design services for the Downtown Youth Boxing Gym and co-chairing the annual Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA) in Detroit for three years.
Dr. D’WAYNE EDWARDS
FOUNDER // Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
Over the course of his 31-year career, D’Wayne Edwards has received numerous design awards from Red Dot to Mercedes Benz Fashion, has been voted one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, accumulated more than 40 patents, and designed more than 500 styles for premier athletes such as Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan. In 2010 Edwards founded the first academy in the U.S. dedicated to footwear design, called PENSOLE. PENSOLE has quickly become the preeminent footwear design school in the world by securing partnerships with the industry’s top footwear brands and retailers, and has placed more than 475 former PENSOLE alums in positions working professionally for some of today’s top brands: Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, New Balance, Brooks, Vans, Puma, Timberland, JORDAN, and others globally.
As an educator Edwards has taught and lectured at some of the premiere schools in the world from ArtCenter, Parsons, MIT, Harvard and speaker at the Clinton Global Conference. President Barack Obama awarded him the President Volunteer of Service Award in 2016.
JEANNINE GANT
CEO // Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit
Jeannine Gant is a non-profit executive leader with national and local experience. She has served as an Executive Director and CEO for two national youth serving organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and Playworks Michigan, as its founding Executive Director. Nationally, Jeannine helped Ford Division establish its brand as a leader in breast cancer awareness through her work at J. Walter Thompson advertising, including a cause marketing campaign that leveraged $32 million in support of Race for the Cure. Locally, she provided development and fundraising leadership for the School of Business at Wayne State University, The Children's Center, Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, Multiple Sclerosis Society and for old schoolers, Barat Child and Family Services and the Travelers Aid Society. She serves on the board of directors for DESIGNCONNECT, a nonprofit inspiring underrepresented youth to pursue careers in the design industry and she is actively involved with numerous civic, social and professional organizations.
DORIS GILLES (Board Secretary)
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR // Project Beautiful - Inside And Out
Doris Gilles is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Beautiful - Inside and Out, a Michigan-based non-profit organization launched in 2015, whose mission is to build confidence and inspire hope as individuals and families rebuild their lives. Project Beautiful partners with other service organizations, including DesignConnect, to create moments and experiences that bring smiles to people when they need it most. Doris has a BBA from The University of Michigan and an MBA from Emory University. She worked at Chrysler in Procurement & Supply for two years and at Procter & Gamble on the K-Mart Customer Business Development Team for five years. Doris loves to travel and is in the process of launching Doris The Explorer, her travel inspiration and planning website. In addition to serving as Secretary on the DESIGNCONNECT board, Doris sits on the Concours d'Elegance of America Advisory Council.
JODY INGLE
DESIGN CONSULTANT I CHAIR // IDSA(Detroit)
Jody Ingle is an experienced industrial designer, and design activist. He earned his BA in Art History from Rollins College and BFA in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies. Hired by Ford in 2011, as an interior designer at Lincoln Motor Company, Jody played an integral role on the team responsible for reinventing the Lincoln brand with captivating, world-class luxury vehicles like Continental, Navigator, Aviator, and Corsair. Recognizing the positive impact that design can have on society, he has since left Lincoln to focus on advocating for art and design as source of social innovation, and opportunity throughout our community, education, and industry. Jody chairs IDSA/Detroit (Industrial Design Society of America), and serves as a Trustee at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, The College for Creative Studies, and The University Liggett School. He also serves as a Director on the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Science Center, and the Friends of Fine Prints, Drawings, and Photography Auxiliary Board at The Detroit Institute of Arts.
HELÉNE KENNEY
CREATIVE DIRECTOR // Jack Morton Worldwide
Heléne Harley Kenny is a designer with 15 years of experience spanning experiential design for branded events, product launches, museum exhibitions, and architecture. For the past 8 years in Detroit, Heléne has conceived and executed branded experiences for automotive, luxury, and lifestyle companies including Toyota, FCA, Rivian, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Atlantic, and Shinola. Prior to moving to the Midwest, Heléne was an exhibit designer in New York City, and worked on an array of projects from world renown cultural museums to hands on science exhibits. Heléne has a Master’s degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute and a BA in architecture from University of California, Berkeley. From a young age as a world class gymnast, Heléne has known the value of good mentors. She has sought ways to pass that on, from coaching at the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation in Detroit, to founding a community radio station in Brooklyn, and volunteering as a product design teacher at Mark Ecko’s Sweat Equity.
DON M. MANVEL
CHAIRMAN AND CEO // AVL Americas
Donald W. Manvel is the Chairman and CEO of AVL Americas. AVL, headquartered in Graz, Austria, is the world’s largest and independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel powertrain systems, as well as fuel cell and hybrid technologies. Manvel joined the company in 2002. Prior to joining AVL, Manvel served as Acting President and Senior Vice-President of Operations for DEKA Research and Development, the firm led by Dean Kamen that developed and launched the Segway Human Transporter, the first self-balancing, electric transportation device. Manvel joined DEKA in 1999. Before joining DEKA, Manvel served as President of the Manlift Division of Grove Worldwide in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania. Manvel began his career with Chrysler Corporation in 1972, where until 1998 he held a variety of senior executive positions in various parts of the world. Manvel received his M.B.A. from Wayne State University in 1974. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1972.
ALISSA NOVOSELICK (Board Treasurer)
CFO // Empowerment Plan
Alissa brings 10+ years of experience as a nonprofit executive, consultant, and educator focusing her work in finance, accounting, fundraising, communications, and policy strategy. Alissa received her MBA from Antioch University New England and has a BA in English with teaching certification from the University of Michigan. Prior to Living Arts, Alissa worked in West Virginia for 7 years as the Executive Director of the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts and as Director of Development at Carnegie Hall. She also taught high school in Camp Verde, AZ and in Southfield, MI. Alissa is an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University, volunteers her time as Treasurer of the Board of DesignConnect, and is a graduate of the National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program through Harvard Business School, the University of Michigan, and the Sundance Institute.
JUSTIN SALMON
CREATIVE DESIGNER // General Motors
Justin G. Salmon currently serves as a Creative Designer at General Motors, with his tenure beginning in 2014 as an Intern. During this time, he participated in the design development of concept and production entries across the Chevrolet, Cadillac and Performance portfolios. In addition to working as a designer, he has acted as Intern Manager and as an Ambassador, supporting GM’s "You Make A Difference Program". His engagement in this program includes hosting hands-on sketch workshops at several elementary, middle, and high schools in Detroit and Pontiac Districts. His involvement spans from the initial phases of identifying and inspiring talent, to supporting an intensive 15 week immersion in the automotive design process. Mr. Salmon holds a BFA in Automotive design from the College for Creative Studies. He was born in St. Andrew Jamaica, and enjoys traveling, which enables his passion for rock climbing, languages and culture.
OLGA STELLA
VP OF STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS // CCS
Olga Stella leads Design Core Detroit, an organization that works to position Detroit as a global source of creative talent by supporting the growth of Detroit’s design-driven businesses and their market opportunities In this role, she is applying her experience in economic development, public policy and coalition-building to Design Core’s work which ranges from business education, advocacy, storytelling, and activating Detroit’s designation as the only UNESCO City of Design in the United States. Olga helped facilitate over $200 million in investment in the city of Detroit through her work at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, where she played multiple roles, including Chief Operating Officer. Her political experience includes serving as an Assistant to the Mayor for Economic Development to Mayor Dennis Archer and as Chief of Staff to former State Representative Steve Tobocman. Olga lives with her family in Detroit and is active in the community, serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.
DON TUSKI
PRESIDENT // CCS
Donald L. Tuski, Ph.D., became president of College for Creative Studies (CCS) on July 1, 2019. President Tuski serves on the Board of the Public School Academies of Detroit (PSAD), and supervises Design Core Detroit, CCS’s economic development arm. Dr. Tuski is a director of the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU), a director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), and serves as a member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) Committee on Nominations.
Prior to his appointment to the CCS presidency, Dr. Tuski was president of Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) in Portland, Oregon; Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine; and Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. A resident of Detroit who grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan, Dr. Tuski holds a B.A. in biology from Olivet College, M.A., and Ph.D. in anthropology from Michigan State University.
EMERITUS BOARD
GEORGE N’NAMDI
PRESIDENT // N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art
ED WELBURN
CEO // The Welburn Group
STAFF TEAM
JOCELYN CHEN
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EMILY CHISHOLM
OPERATIONS MANAGER
CAMILA LERENA
PROGRAM COORDINATOR