Events

We will elect new board members.

Paul J Blatt, President & Chief Executive Officer

JVS Human Services

Paul has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and obtained his Masters of Public Administration from Oakland University. Paul came to JVS Human Services in 2005 ago as a job seeker, and over the years had assumed numerous titles at the agency prior to his role as CEO. Paul is a strong advocate for equity for the people JVS serves, addressing stereotypes of vulnerable populations in the areas of workforce development, services to people with disabilities, and the elderly. Paul leads from the guiding principle that doing the right thing, should also be done for the right reasons.

Joanne Ewald is a jewelry artist and Founder/Executive Director of Mend on the Move, a 501c3 nonprofit.  She has a B.A. in journalism/public relations and worked several years in corporate communications before raising her two children.  Ewald is a survivor of child sexual abuse and did not begin the healing process until late in her adult life.  Art therapy became a part of her healing process, in particular she gravitated to jewelry design and soon began creating jewelry through her own jewelry making business.  This ignited a passion to serve other women recovering from abusive pasts through the creative process.   In 2015, she launched a social enterprise, Mend on the Move, that provides employment opportunity and a voice for justice on behalf of victims of abuse.

Mend on the Move employs abuse survivors to create handcrafted jewelry, providing them with an income while building confidence and independence.  Survivors learn work skills and accountability, but, most importantly, they are a part of a soothing, therapeutic environment, that supports and encourages, helping them see themselves as worthy and valuable contributors to society.

Ewald has been featured on local television news stories, as well as print publications, such as The Detroit Free Press, Hour Magazine and Seen Magazine.  Ewald was selected as one of the top 12 EmpowerHer Pitch finalists for the 2018 Michigan Women’s Forward and Ford Fund’s competition in support of innovative business ideas of women social entrepreneurs.

Mend on the Move was recently named one of the top five jewelry brands in Detroit by Detroit Fashion News and can be found at mendonthemove.org and over 22 wholesale locations throughout metro Detroit and Michigan, as well as nationally. 

Matt Cooper, nationally recognized for a case that he litigated for an Iraq War Veteran from Hartford, MI that protects the rights of all personnel serving in the US Military. Matt effectuated amendments by Congress to the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act, protecting the rights of men and women in the US Armed Forces.  He is a charter member and past President of the Paw Paw Area Rotary Club.

Matt recently released "A Soldier's Home" which follows Sgt. Hurley from his tranquil life at home, his tour in Iraq, and a Federal Court lawsuit that would result in Congressional Amendments that benefit all servicemembers in the US Military. Sgt. Hurley took on Deutsche Bank, Saxon Mortgage Company, and a Detroit foreclosure law office in a David vs Goliath campaign that lasted seven years, and resulted in the first jury trial of its kind.

In addition, Matt co-founded the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Foundation, Inc., a Public Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Charity which is dedicated to assisting United States Servicemembers and their families.

Hend Talia, MD graduated with a degree in chemistry from Wayne State University. After completing medical school she pursued residency program in psychiatry at Creighton University of Nebraska. She is on staff at many local hospitals and has specialty training in  a number of areas in the field of psychiatry. She is a member of several professional societies, and will be giving us a brief overview of depression and various treatment options.

G. Mustafa Mohatarem, Ph.D., retired from GM on October 31, 2018 after 36 years of service.  He was named chief economist of General Motors Corporation on March 1, 1995.  He served on GM’s Financial Risk Council and The Metals and Energy Steering Committee, and was a spokesperson for the Corporation on economic issues.

            GM’s Corporate Economics Team is responsible for assessing the impact of worldwide economic developments on the corporation.  In addition, the Economics Team provides advice to the corporation on various competitive and economic policy issues.

            Mohatarem is an expert on trade issues and interacts regularly with officials from the United States and other countries on trade-related issues.  He was the lead contact for GM with the United States and other governments during Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations, as well as the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  He also led the GM team that advocated in favor of China’s accession to the WTO.

            Mohatarem was born on Oct. 15, 1953, in Quetta, Pakistan.  He received an undergraduate degree in economics and mathematics from Denison University, Granville, Ohio, in 1976.  He earned both master-of-business-administration and doctorate degrees in economics from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1979 and 1982, respectively.

            Mohatarem has also served as visiting assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame.  While at GM, he has taught courses as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit.

Wear your favorite Ugly Christmas and share your favorite holiday tradition or story.

Storyteller of Grace

Even as a young child Kennedy knew that everyone she met had a story, thanks to her wonderful mother. She was taught to love others fearlessly, to choose kindness, and through experience, that life is very precious

Miraculous Every Day will challenge you to create habits in your life that will help you become everything you’ve ever dreamed of being. Kennedy believes the most successful people in life follow a routine and a set of daily practices. This journal will challenge you to practice mindfulness, self-reflect, to read, and journal, for the next 21 days. In a world where we all are desensitized to true connection and the beauty of now, it’s time we reconnect with the miracles God presents within our lives every single day. This book will encourage you to be bold, take chances, express yourself, to become bold in who you are and how you love not only others but yourself.

Carrie Chapie was an attorney in her previous life, a mom to 3 beautiful humans, community advocate for literacy, anxiety, and learning differences, owner of Darling LLC and creator of Word Witt.