"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

- Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Eddie Lee is the proud founder and President of Detroit Young Professionals (DYP). Equal parts marketing maven, entrepreneur, and community vanguard, Lee launched DYP in November 2007 to build a strong, independent network of civic-minded young professionals and entrepreneurs that are destined to fuel the renaissance of Metro Detroit. Leveraging the power of Web 2.0, social networking and grassroots outreach, DYP’s network has grown organically to claim the largest and most diverse membership of any young professional organization in the area. He is committed to further refining and developing the group into a best-practice model for inspiring personal, professional and community growth. Lee is a graduate of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and currently works at local advertising powerhouse Team Detroit, where he plans marketing communications strategy for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury motor vehicles.
 

As a legal guru and proprietor of Wipp Law Firm PLLC, Nicole Wipp's contributions to DYP are immeasurable. In her position of Vice President in the growing organization her goal is to provide support to the development of processes and policies to ensure DYP's longevity and commitment to the community. Wipp studied Political Science, Asian Studies and Japanese at Western Michigan University and went on to obtain her JD from the University of Hawaii. She is certified in Environmental Law and currently advises clients in the areas of small business, criminal law, family law and immigration.
 

Tiffani A. Lee serves as Secretary and Treasurer for DYP. She earned her BBA in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MS in Quality Management from Eastern Michigan University. Tiffani is employed with the University of Michigan Health System where she supports research initiatives at the Center for Healthcare Quality & Transformation that seek to improve population health, promote evidence-based care delivery and help to achieve universal access to care. Lee streamlines internal and external communications for the organization and provides project management support to the assist in the execution of DYP events.
 

Antonio Lück brings a fresh perspective and strong entrepreneurial spirit to the position of Business Committee Co-Chair for DYP. As an Adams Entrepreneur Fellow, Lück serves Delphi by managing Business Development and Intellectual Property Analysis. In April 2007 he played an integral role in the launch of Monarch Antenna Inc., a new technology company spun-out by Delphi that paved the way for him to be recognized as one of the 2008 "20 in their 20's" by Crain's Detroit Business. Antonio Lück was born in Brazil and received degrees from universities in his home country in law from Faculdade de Direito Curitiba and in civil engineering from Universidade Federal do Paraná. He is a certified engineer and a licensed lawyer in Brazil and served as an advisor to the president of Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná for more than five years. During this period Lück acquired extensive entrepreneurial work experience in Brazil. He was involved in creating the Project Office and the Intellectual Property in the University Tuiuti of Paraná. Lück is Wayne State University MBA alumni and an advisor to the Wayne State University MBA Association. During the 2006 E2Detroit Conference competition, his team developed a business plan and created a marketable product. He won the title "exceptional entrepreneur." In 2007 Antonio became a member of the E2Detroit Student Advisory Board and presented a panel at this same conference.
 

Although not a native Detroiter, Charlene Minatee believes that it is her obligation and responsibility to make a positive impact on her new community. She graduated from Florida A & M University with a Bachelor's degree in business administration in 2005 and an MBA in 2007. After graduation, Charlene moved to Michigan to join the Purchasing Department at Ford Motor Company. As Business Committee Co-Chair, her goal is to provide professionals and entrepreneurs with opportunities to learn and grow and make Detroit a better place to live, work and play. In addition to being involved with DYP, Charlene is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Vice-President of the FAMU Alumni Association - Detroit Chapter, and a Mentor though the Rhonda Walker Foundation.
 

Joseph Shelton III is a man whose passion lies deep in his community. The Detroit native attended Renaissance High School and went on to attend Michigan State University obtaining a BS in Construction Management. While currently working as a Project Engineer at Walbridge, Joseph shows his commitment to the city though his involvement with Detroit Young Professionals. As the Civic Committee Co-Chair, Joseph's goal is to play a major role in facilitating the further advancement of skills, education and community service of Detroit's young citizens. Through his focus on mentoring programs, voter's registration programs and volunteering in the community he believes we can become better citizens in the city of Detroit and create a better Detroit in the process.
 

Jeniece Parent is currently an associate attorney at Kirsch & Satawa, P.C. and practices criminal defense law. She received her law degree from Wayne State University and her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University. As Civic Committee Co-Chair, Jeniece feels that giving back to the community is the most important responsibility of a professional. She believes it is up to us to make Detroit a great place to live, work and play, and to give Detroit a positive image. She intends to work with her colleagues to provide young professionals with volunteer opportunities that are appealing, exciting and effective.
 

Robin Dillard, Esq. believes strongly that young professionals are the leaders of this city's future and as Social Committee Co-Chair, she wants to ensure that the future is built on a strong foundation. The Detroit native graduated Cass Technical High School, one of Detroit's top tier educational institutions; Robin Dillard has since earned a political science/ pre-law degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. After undergrad, Robin continued on her career path and received a master's degree in Dispute Resolution from Wayne State University, where she became a certified mediator. She later attended University of Detroit Mercy for law school. Dillard is now an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan where she works in the Public Service Division. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, the National Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and she is a Precinct Delegate for her voting district. In addition to her full schedule, Dillard is committed to helping DYP become a power house for young professionals by promoting the social networking agenda and bringing more young professionals together.
 

Phil Goldsmith is a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School. When he is not busy working for Virchow Krause & Company, LLP as a CPA, he is spending time enjoying the outdoors either running, biking or golfing. Phil's roots run deep in Detroit where his family has owned a chain of bagel bakeries there since 1921. As Social Committee Co-Chair, Phil's goal is to draw together young professionals from all over Detroit with varying interests, be it civic, professional development, or purely social. Goldsmith wants to make DYP a place where young professionals who have stayed in or relocated to Detroit and see all of its potential, enjoy each others' company, network, and give back to the community.
 

Cindy E. Folson, the creative mind behind Elite Public Relations, is a Detroit native. She studied Journalism and Creative Writing at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY. After receiving her BA in 2002 Folson returned to Detroit and enrolled in Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing and Communicating Arts. In 2005 she received her MA in Public Relations and Organizational Communications and began her career in PR as Communications Specialist for a highly respected, national non-profit organization. Currently Folson balances her time between the roles of Marketing Specialist for Microsoft and Public Relations Specialist for her own public relations company. In addition, she is also an active member of the Black Public Relations Society and a free lance writer. As Communications Committee Co-Chair, Cindy’s goal is to position DYP as a preeminent organization connecting the area’s best with the right people and resources necessary to restore Detroit back into a thriving metropolitan area for young professionals.
 

A graduate of West Virginia State University, Jessica Carson followed a family tradition. Her Grandmother and Grandfather both graduated from the HBCU. She continues to follow another tradition and that is doing community service for the city of Detroit. Although not a native of Detroit Jessica's family roots run deep there. She currently works as the Jr. Marketing Specialist for Trotec Laser and lends her marketing expertise to DYP by being the Communications Committee Co-Chair. Her goal is to bring positive attention to the organization and to get as many people as possible to participate and get involved.
 

Jacqueline Northrop has made a life out of creating the perfect event. In her role as Special Events Committee Co-Chair, Northrop demonstrates her zeal and translates DYP's goals to provide a sound structure for young professionals into memorable events combining the perfect people, place and time. As a resident of the city of Detroit, Jacqueline considers it a privilege to lend her expertise to help enhance the Detroit Young Professionals by providing flawless event planning, execution and management for the city's future leaders. She is a graduate of Cass Technical High School and furthered her education at Wayne State University where she received her BA in Public Relations and a M. Ed. in Instructional Technology. While pursuing her Undergraduate degree and working as an event planner for Wayne State University, Northrop's passion for events lead her to launch Opal E Event Planning, LLC where she constructs every kind of event from corporate gala to extravagant pamper parties. In addition to managing events, Northrop is a Project Manager for the Tweddle Group in Clinton Township, where she manages, the scope, budget and overall success of Technical Training Programs.
 

John Nechiporchik currently holds the position of Market Analyst at Ducker Worldwide in Troy. He recently received his Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Prior to joining Ducker, John worked for General Motors/G2 Communications as an Event Coordinator at the General Motors Heritage Center. He has three years experience in planning and executing corporate events. As Special Events Committee Co-Chair John’s mission is to elevate the level of events in the Detroit area and support the revitalization of the Motor City.
 

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