ProsperUs Team
Our team prides itself on being radically supportive and helpful. We are dedicated to building connection and trust with entrepreneurs and their communities.
MEET OUR TEAM
Ajane Jackson is the Community Capital Director for ProsperUs Detroit. In this role, she supports breaking down barriers for historically excluded entrepreneurs by guiding the capital strategy and lending team. Ajane is focused on contributing to the radical growth of the small business ecosystem and making an impact in a meaningful way.
Before joining ProsperUs, Ajane managed the Cash Track program at Motor City Match, overseeing the full grant lifecycle—including information sessions, applications, evaluations, and development—for more than $20 million in federal funding. Prior to this role, she served as an underwriter for the Detroit Development Fund. Ajane brings deep experience across Detroit’s business and lending ecosystem, with a career rooted in supporting businesses access capital and growth with intention.
Ajane received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northwood University.
Outside of ProsperUs, Ajane can be found at home listening to music, watching a good movie, or reading a compelling book. She can also be found engaging at the hottest restaurant’s happy hour, the spa, or a walk enjoying the ever-changing Michigan views. There is nothing that brings Ajane more joy than supporting and patronizing a local business, especially those she was professionally a part of.
Ali Sandifer is the Entrepreneur Resource Manager at ProsperUs Detroit, where he leads the organization’s Business Services programming. In this role, Ali manages grant-funded initiatives that connect Detroit-area entrepreneurs with professional service providers to strengthen their operations, increase financial stability, and support long-term business growth.
Ali oversees the full lifecycle of ProsperUs’ Business Services Program, including outreach, application review, provider matching, and outcomes tracking. He works closely with small business owners across Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Inkster to identify operational needs and connect them with services such as accounting, legal support, marketing, website development, and strategic planning. Through this work, he helps ensure entrepreneurs have access to the tools and expertise needed to grow sustainable businesses.
Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts in Constitutional Democracy and Political Theory from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. His work focuses on expanding economic opportunity and helping entrepreneurs access the resources needed to build resilient businesses.
Amber Covington is a Financial Wellness Coach at ProsperUs Detroit. In this role, she works directly with clients to understand their financial needs and helps them make a plan to improve their personal and business finances. She supports entrepreneurs in reaching their financial goals and making better day-to-day decisions for their businesses.
Before joining ProsperUs, Amber worked as a Community Health Corp Case Manager for the City of Detroit, where she connected residents to resources and provided case management support. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping prevent property tax foreclosure for over 2,000 households.
Amber holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration, with a focus in Finance, and a Certificate in Accounting. She also earned a National Financial Coaching Certificate from the Cities of Financial Empowerment. She’s motivated by helping others and seeing results, and she’s inspired by women who continue to break barriers in male-dominated fields.
Outside of work, Amber enjoys yoga, pottery, wine tastings, and spending time doing things that bring her joy. A fun fact about Amber: she sometimes does stand-up comedy.
Amina Begum is the Executive Administrator for ProsperUs Detroit. In this role, she collaborates with the executive team to support the organization’s mission of advancing economic equity and empowering entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities. Amina plays a key role in managing organizational finances, providing direct support to the CEO and COO, and coordinating with the board of directors. She is passionate about building one-on-one relationships, advocating for others, and communicating effectively across diverse communities.
Prior to joining ProsperUs in December 2024, Amina worked at Wayne State University, where she provided executive-level support in the Office of the Dean at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Her accomplishments include organizing a large symposium and streamlining administrative processes. Amina earned her Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Digital/Business Analytics in 2023 and her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Business Administration in 2021, both from Wayne State University.
Amina is motivated by opportunities to make a meaningful difference in her work, whether through organizing efficient processes, supporting a team, or building relationships across departments. Outside of work, she enjoys personal growth and development through learning new skills, exploring analytics tools, and staying updated on trends in business and marketing. Amina also values spending time with her family and contributing to projects that create a positive impact in her community.
Charlene Donelson is the Business and Alumni Services Director of ProsperUs Detroit. She is responsible for overseeing the education, business services, and alumni networking programming.
Prior to joining ProsperUs Detroit in April 2022, Charlene was the Program Director for Urban Alliance. During her time in this role, Charlene led the organization’s daily operations, supervised and managed program recruitment, cultivated and maintained relationships with Detroit Public Schools and community partner organizations to enhance support and resources, and oversaw programmatic budgets.
Charlene earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Detroit Mercy. Her favorite thing about being a part of ProsperUs Detroit is the approach the organization takes to their work, and how she’s able to marry both her personal and professional values by supporting her community and making an impact. Charlene believes that being radically supportive is more than just a mission, it’s how she and her colleagues operate daily with each entrepreneur they encounter.
Charlene is motivated by her children and is proud that she can show them non-traditional job and career opportunities that will hopefully inspire their journeys in the future.
When she’s not working, Charlene enjoys spending time with her children, baking, going to wine tastings, and visiting the tastiest brunch spots in town.
Ciara White is the Communications and Brand Manager for ProsperUs Detroit. She is responsible for leading storytelling, brand stewardship, and integrated marketing-communications strategies to advance ProsperUs’ mission and vision. Ciara is focused on fostering relationships with Detroit media, peers, and organizations to continue uplifting Detroit’s community of entrepreneurs for attainment of wealth and equity in the region.
Before joining ProsperUs in November 2025, Ciara served as a founding team member and Public Relations Coordinator for VVK PR + Creative. In this role, she supported communications services and project management needs for several clients, from local nonprofits and businesses to global corporations. Ciara’s passion for public relations even extends outside of work, where she is a member of Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Detroit chapter.
Ciara holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication, with dual minors in Public Relations and Leadership of Organizations, from Michigan State University.
When she’s not with her ProsperUs team, Ciara turns new dining experiences into content worthy moments, spends time with loved ones, and keeps up with the latest trends. She is also often the mastermind behind the next unforgettable event or vacation. Whether Ciara is building a narrative or mapping out a getaway, she focuses on the details and finds inspiration everywhere.
Dorimar C. Mercado García is the Operations Manager for ProsperUs Detroit. She helps spearhead internal operations and provides administration support for the organization.
Dorimar joined the ProsperUs team in September 2023. Prior to becoming a part of the team, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, where she taught Literature and Spanish courses to college freshmen. Dorimar’s academic prowess is nothing short of impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature with minors in Italian and International Relations, as well as a Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies with a concentration in literature, context, economics and politics in Puerto Rico.
Dorimar is enthusiastic about enhancing community and neighborhood development while helping to amplify ProsperUs’ overarching mission. Having embarked on a collaborative entrepreneurial journey with her peers, she gained a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in starting and nurturing a business. In Puerto Rico, they collectively launched their very own newspaper and were able to witness its success within the country’s media landscape.
Outside of her work at ProsperUs, Dorimar dedicates her weekends to tutoring, channeling her passion for education into impactful, personalized sessions with her students. Many of her afternoons are consumed with studying and thesis research, which is a further testament to her eagerness for learning. During her free time, Dorimar enjoys biking around her neighborhood with her dog, cooking, and hosting gatherings with her friends and family.
Emeric Dongmo is the Portfolio Manager at ProsperUs Detroit. He is responsible for closing and servicing loans, restructuring troubled loans, sending reports to the Credit Builders Alliance, and managing the organization’s portfolio management software.
Before becoming a part of the ProsperUs Detroit team in 2020, Emeric worked with Renkim Corporation, a leader in the financial and mission-critical documents industry for credit, collection, healthcare, and automotive companies.
Emeric holds a Bachelor’s in Economics with a major in Management Sciences from the University of Dschang-Cameroon as well as a Master’s in International Relations with a major in International Banking, Money and Finance from The International Relations Institute of Cameroon at the University of Yaounde II-Cameroon. He is motivated by the community that ProsperUs serves and enjoys how his team pushes him to be creative when coming up with solutions to meet borrowers where they are.
When he’s not immersed with numbers, Emeric enjoys participating in faith-building activities, playing soccer, traveling, and listening to music.
Joanna Dueweke-Perez is on a mission to drive positive change through empathetic leadership and strategic operations. As the Chief Operations Officer at ProsperUs Detroit, she is invested in cultivating resilient organizations that are deeply rooted in community values.
With a passion for creating an equitable future, Joanna thrives on the art of “making things work” in various domains, from programs and community initiatives to databases and family schedules. In her role as COO, she collaborates with organizational leadership and the team to guide growth, prioritizing relationships, equity, community alignment, and financial sustainability. Joanna’s focus is on aligning ProsperUs practices with the organization’s mission and vision, and she is proud to champion equitable economic development and community building.
Before rejoining ProsperUs, Joanna contributed to TechTown Detroit, where she supported systems innovation as the first Systems Innovation Director. Her diverse background includes roles like Professional Service Network Manager, overseeing coaching programs and alumni engagement, and Neighborhoods & Communications Director for Detroit SOUP. A lifelong learner, Joanna holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Michigan State University and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) in Information Management and User Experience from Wayne State University.
Beyond her professional endeavors, you will find Joanna enjoying time on the hill with a snowboard or skateboard (depending on the season), coaching youth soccer, exploring new destinations, and relishing quality time with her family in Detroit.
Marco Andrade Jr. is a Loan Officer at ProsperUs Detroit. In this role, he is responsible for working directly with entrepreneurs and business owners who have applied for a business loan. He is passionate about supporting our community members in realizing their dreams of business ownership, thereby fostering wealth creation for individuals and families in Detroit. Prior to joining ProsperUs in April 2024, Marco served as the Business Engagement Manager at the Southwest Detroit Business Association. There, he connected with local businesses, referred them to resource partners, created marketing materials, organized events and workshops, and provided technical assistance for business registration.
Marco holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Arizona State University. He is particularly motivated by helping others achieve their dreams and watching them succeed, believing in the power of small businesses to support and enhance community prosperity. One of Marco’s proudest professional achievements is funding 177 loans in 2021, earning recognition on the Scotsman Guide twice as one of the top originators for 2021/2022.
Outside of work, Marco enjoys oil painting, reading a wide range of genres including existential philosophy and magical realism, and adding to his vinyl record collection. A surprising fact about Marco is that he lived in Thailand for six months, where he practiced Muay Thai and competed in six bouts.
Matthew Bihun is the Radical Growth Strategist at ProsperUs Detroit. In this role, he empowers high-potential entrepreneurs who are poised to generate jobs, scale their businesses, and drive economic development in their communities. By providing tailored coaching, financial management support, and strategic direction, Matthew ensures these entrepreneurs have the resources and tools they need to achieve their ambitious growth goals. He also collaborates with internal teams and external partners to refine and enhance ProsperUs’ programs, contributing to the broader success of Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Before Matthew joined the ProsperUs Detroit team in February 2013 he worked at the Southwest Detroit Business Association where he was responsible for helping to manage the Business Improvement District, commercial real estate assets, and the Nuisance Abatement and Code Enforcement Program. Matthew obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University with a major in Urban Studies and a minor in African American Studies and his Master’s in Community Development from University of Detroit Mercy.
Motivated by the entrepreneurs that he meets through the organization, Matthew loves that his role allows him to develop genuine relationships with such innovative and aspirational people and enjoys playing a supporting role in helping to make their dreams come true.
During his free time, Matthew enjoys visiting National Parks and Monuments, owning and operating his own small businesses, renovating historic houses, reading, podcasting, collecting vinyl records, and spending time with his family, friends, and dog.
Michelle Anderson is the Training and Education Manager for ProsperUs Detroit. She is responsible for taking charge of planning, administering and enhancing the entrepreneurial training and education initiatives for the organization, and plays a pivotal role in empowering aspiring entrepreneurs.
Before joining the ProsperUs Detroit team in September 2023, Michelle’s talents shone as the Chief Operations Manager of Good Cakes and Bakes, an organic and community-based bakery in Detroit that she co-owns. As Chief Operations Manager, Michelle expertly managed the daily operations and supervised both the retail and shipping departments.
Beyond her achievements in the entrepreneurial and operational realms, Michelle boasts a rich background in social work. She holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Marygrove College and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. For over two decades, she also served as a licensed social worker, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the betterment of her community.
Michelle’s passion for positive change also extends to her life outside of work. She is a Detroit Equity Action Lab and Small Grants alum, and her previous involvement with Affirmations, LGBTQ Center’s Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee (MAC) allowed her the chance to do the necessary work to increase representation of people of color on the board, staff, and in programming.
In her current role at ProsperUs Detroit, Michelle finds inspiration in the shared dedication of her colleagues to support Detroit-area entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams. She is deeply motivated by Detroit’s vibrant culture, her loved ones, and the joy she feels from witnessing others’ wins.
When she’s not busy at ProsperUs or Good Cakes and Bakes, Michelle enjoys indulging in travel, immersing herself in nature, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with her wife, family and friends.
Paul Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of ProsperUs Detroit, accelerating ProsperUs’ mission with a focus on strategy development and securing resources that ensure the organization is focused on disrupting systems to advance racial, social, and economic equity. Since joining ProsperUs in January 2024, Paul has invested in building partnerships, energizing our collective efforts, and making sure our actions align with our core value of building connection and trust.
Before joining ProsperUs, Paul made significant impacts as the Business Support Network Director for the entrepreneurship work of the New Economy Initiative (NEI) through the Network Office housed at Invest Detroit. He was instrumental in creating a supportive network for emerging businesses in Wayne County. His leadership as the Executive Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program showcased his commitment to fostering growth and economic mobility among entrepreneurs. With an MBA in International Finance from Florida A & M University, Paul brings a global perspective to ProsperUs’ local mission.
At the core of Paul’s work is an enthusiasm for ProsperUs’ culture and the dynamic energy of the team. Inspired by Detroit’s entrepreneurs, he sees each day as a new opportunity to support their dreams and neighborhood vitality.
When he is not at ProsperUs Detroit, Paul can be found in local coffee shops, offering advice to business owners, or embarking on long walks—over 100 miles each month—to find clarity and balance. A fun fact about Paul that might surprise many: he is a serial entrepreneur with ventures in over four countries, highlighting his adventurous spirit and deep commitment to economic mobility.
Russell Lin is the Collaborative Partnerships Manager at ProsperUs Detroit, where he builds and strengthens relationships between entrepreneurs, community partners, and internal teams. Russell is dedicated to gathering community feedback and translating it into responsive strategies, ensuring ProsperUs programs are rooted in local wisdom and real needs.
He leads regular neighborhood events like the Neighborhood Business Labs, delivering resources, training, and technical assistance directly to Detroit’s small business owners—connecting them to capital, building networks, and supporting inclusive economic growth. Russell’s approach centers collaboration, transparency, and genuine partnership, aligning team efforts for maximum community impact.
Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Communication Design from Central Saint Martins and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan, with a focus on urban agriculture and real estate.
His background in design and urban planning shapes his philosophy on economic development—merging theoretical knowledge with practical, ground-level work. Russell’s work aims to empower entrepreneurs with tools and opportunities, without displacing existing residents. He believes that when people are connected, resourced, and empowered, communities can grow equitably and sustainably.
Sany Bilani is the Data and Impact Manager at ProsperUs Detroit. In his role, Sany is responsible for managing the collection, analysis, reporting, and stewardship of data and evaluation for the organization. This includes collaborating with team members and external partners to ensure that data processes are efficient, accurate, and timely. Sany also oversees grant management and compliance, ensuring adherence to philanthropic and governmental reporting requirements. Additionally, he develops dashboards that make data accessible, comprehensible, and compelling for internal and external partners.
Prior to joining ProsperUs in June 2024, Sany worked as a Trader and Portfolio Analytics Associate at Kaydan Wealth. There, he managed daily investment operations of $550 million, including trade execution, reconciliation, performance reporting, and report generation to ensure regulatory compliance. He also collaborated with internal teams and external vendors to resolve operational issues and maintained portfolio databases. Sany holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master’s degree in urban planning with a focus on Economic Development from Wayne State University
Sany is passionate about creating vibrant cities, viewing them as engines of inspiration and energy filled with diverse people, cultures, and ideas. This dynamic atmosphere fuels his motivation and encourages him to strive for excellence. His proudest professional achievement is earning his master’s degree in urban planning and transitioning into a career that serves his community. Outside of work, Sany enjoys working on community green infrastructure projects to improve neighborhood stormwater drainage, paddleboarding on the Detroit River, and spending time with his dogs and cats in his home garden.
Tanissa Smith (Williams) is the Business and Alumni Services Manager for ProsperUs Detroit. She is committed to building relationships with entrepreneurs and enhancing business growth outcomes through intentional training programs. She collaborates with entrepreneurs and business owners to ensure their needs for industry-specific programming and support are met in a way that builds connection and trust. Before joining ProsperUs in April 2024, Tanissa worked at Detroit Women of Color, Inc., where she organized program development, designed implementation plans, and supported community healthcare and mental health resources during the pandemic.
Tanissa is motivated by the legacy of her late father, a non-profit co-founder who lived by the concept of “Ubuntu” – “I am because we are.” This philosophy drives her dedication to community service and empowerment. Her proudest professional accomplishment is digitizing program offerings during the pandemic, allowing the continuation of “Change Is Reel,” a 12-week program teaching Detroit-area girls film and media.
Outside of work, Tanissa is a 3rd-degree black belt who trains and teaches martial arts, specializing in early childhood instruction. She also creates handcrafted luxury body care products for her company, Lotusbtr. Body Care, and enjoys anime, comic books, and manga, with a particular passion for Sailor Moon.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Lisa Lunsford, ChairChief Executive Officer, GS3 Global
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Don Jones, Vice ChairRetired, Community Economic Development and Philanthropy
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Steve Tobocman, SecretaryManaging Partner, New Solutions Group and Executive Director, Global Detroit
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Chanell Scott Contreras, TreasurerPresident and CEO, Build from Within Alliance
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Pierre Batton, DirectorDirector of Community Engagement, DTE Energy
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Hector Hernandez, DirectorExecutive Director, MiWealth of MiSide
