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All roads lead back to Southeast Michigan for Inkster native Matthew Carter, chair of the UM-Dearborn Alumni Society Board. After his high school graduation, he proudly served as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. Having been fortunate enough to have traveled the world with the Army, he returned to the area with a renewed passion for community betterment. Since his return, he has worked tirelessly to give back to the region that he calls home. In 2017, Matthew served on the executive team of the New Leaders Council – Detroit Chapter. A ÿ�մ��� alumni, Matthew, '18 B.A., has built a solid reputation for himself as a professional in the middle market business community. Having ten years of experience in the insurance industry, he has achieved a tremendous amount of success as an insurance broker, consultant, and subject matter expert.

Becky Chadwick is a retired professional with forty-six years experience in higher education and IT. She has had the privilege of gaining various unique perspectives of the University, experiencing it as an undergraduate and graduate student, administrative staff, and faculty. As a first-generation student she completed her Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Public Administration with high academic distinction at UM-Dearborn. For several years she was an administrator in the Office of Institutional Research and taught in the Rackham Graduate School in Dearborn’s Masters of Education (Research in Education) and Public Administration (Statistics for Public Administrators) programs. She continued her studies and doctoral work at Wayne State University majoring in Education Leadership with a minor in Education Evaluation and Research. She retired from Henry Ford Community College as the Vice-President of Strategy and Information responsible for strategic and operational planning, Information Technology, Institutional Research and Reporting, Higher Learning Commission accreditation, assessment of student learning and, as a Six Sigma Black Belt, continuous process improvement. Since retirement she has focused on more creative endeavors, pursuing a certificate in Art History from the Smithsonian and taking design, drawing and painting classes.

Tyler Dalton is a Senior Associate at Kaulig Capital and the Vice President of Partnerships at Kaulig Sports and Entertainment, where he evaluates current and potential private equity, real estate, and capital markets investment opportunities, while also focusing on driving value-added partnerships across all of our Sports and Entertainment endeavors. Prior to Kaulig Capital, he worked in management consulting and family office services at Cohen & Co., collaborating with a global client base on best practices and implementing value-added solutions. Tyler graduated from the ÿ�մ��� with high distinction in 2019. A double major in finance and accounting with an economics minor, he was awarded the 2019 Chancellor’s Medallion during commencement as the class’s most outstanding business school graduate. While at the UM-Dearborn, Tyler played varsity hockey, twice serving as the team’s assistant captain. Tyler is now heavily involved in the Northeast Ohio area through his philanthropic endeavors. Currently, Tyler serves on multiple boards and organizations including: ACG’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Young Professional Committee, he is a board member at Friends of Breakthrough (benefitting Breakthrough Schools) and is the leader of the Emerging Leaders Council, Folds of Honor young professional board, and is the Cleveland chapter president of Hockey Players in Business.

Rebecca Dioso is an experienced Human Resources leader and Change Management professional. Currently, she is the VP of Human Resources for Monetate, Inc. a technology organization. Rebecca graduated from the ÿ�մ��� in 1993 with he B.A. in psychology and sociology. In 1996, she earned her MA from the University of Detroit Mercy in Industrial Organizational Psychology. While at the ÿ�մ���, Rebecca was president of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Rebecca has a passion for Veterans and has built employment-related outreach activities to ensure that those who served our country transition to civilian employment with ease. Rebecca is an active volunteer with Boy Scout Troop 1261 and an Area Representative volunteer with Youth for Understanding, a non-profit organization for high school exchange students. She is a former Member of the Board of the Michigan Diversity Council and is currently the Vice President of the Board for the non-profit Our Community Bridge. In her free time, Rebecca travels globally, visiting her former foreign exchange students located throughout the world. Rebecca and her husband reside on Grosse Ile, MI and their son is a student at Loyola Chicago.

John Economy, has been a hands-on operational entrepreneur for the past 20 years. One of John’s first endeavors was Argo Import-Export, with offices in both Detroit and Shanghai. In addition to Argo, John is currently a Managing Partner at America’s Green Line, a WBENC LED lighting company, headquartered in Detroit. With his success within the LED space, John has gone on to diversify himself further, focusing on the research and development of new green technologies and energy-efficient products and applications. John’s focus and expertise has been in sales, global manufacturing and importing. John graduated from the ÿ�մ���, where he received a B.A. in Political Science in 2001. John is a world traveler and an avid University of Michigan sports fanatic. Outside of work and family, John is an advocate for inner city youth advancement, emphasizing education and organized athletics. John led the UM-Dearborn Alumni Society Board as chair during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Sheri Hunter served as a media producer for Detroit’s national news affiliates, including CBS and NBC, for several years before transitioning to the print world. In her role as a journalist, Sheri has written for several daily newspapers including the Oakland Press. After earning her MBA, Sheri has worked as a Marketing Strategist. In 2015, MORE Magazine published an article Sheri wrote, entitled “Parachuting Back to Life,” about her husband’s sudden death and how her adventures with her friends – they lovingly call themselves the Dare Divas – helped her to heal and process her grief. A follow-up article was featured in National Geographic. Sheri’s book, Daring to Live, published by Baker Books was optioned by Amazon Films in 2023. In the book, Sheri wants readers to know that the act of living outside of one’s comfort zone can help them discover amazing things about themselves, even if those acts aren’t as extreme as jumping out of an airplane at 13,000 feet or hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. Sheri speaks at organizations about Wellness in the workplace.

Bryan Jager is a Solution Architect, currently focusing on security, with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering enterprise identity management solutions for on-premises and Azure cloud environments. He combines strategic vision with practical execution to create secure, scalable systems that deliver measurable business value. Bryan is passionate about collaboration, quality, and building solutions that truly work for people. He earned both a bachelor of science in computer science and maters of science in software engineering degree from the UM-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science.

After graduating from the ÿ�մ��� with a bachelors degree in elementary education with an early childhood ( ZA) endorsement, Lauren Johnson enjoyed six years of classroom teaching, including teaching pre-Kindergarten and first grade. Following her classroom experience, she expanded her work in education over twelve years with The National Energy Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides energy education in partnership with energy providers and other energy initiatives. She currently works directing energy education programs, targeting energy efficiency and energy safety, in elementary through high schools. Lauren is proud to lead programs that reach over 45,000 students and families and over 700 schools each year across the state of Michigan.

Dr. Sadaf Lodhi is a board-certified OB-GYN with over 20 years of experience dedicated to empowering women through education, advocacy, and personalized care. She is the founder and CEO of Femme Vie Health, a concierge gynecology practice in New York, and also provides telehealth services for patients in Michigan. Her clinical focus spans the full spectrum of women’s health, with a specialization in menopause, sexual health, and intimacy coaching. Sadaf is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, an ISSWSH Fellow, and a sexual counselor and educator through the University of Michigan. She holds a BS in Biochemistry with honors from the University of Michigan–Dearborn. She earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Her impact extends beyond the clinic. In 2023, she delivered a TEDx talk, “Sexual Education for Physicians: Lessons from a Muslim Gynecologist.” In 2024, she was honored as Alumni of the Year by the University of Michigan–Dearborn for her pioneering advocacy through the globally recognized Muslim Sex Podcast, which has reached audiences worldwide with accessible conversations on menopause, intimacy, and sexual health. She is also a contributing author in Thriving After Burnout and Made for More 2, further amplifying her mission to help women embrace midlife as a season of vitality and possibility.
 

Linda Morin is currently serving as the Pastoral Presence at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Warren, Michigan. She is also a member of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary faculty, where she graduated with a Doctor of Ministry. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Finance and Information Technology from the ÿ�մ��� and a Masters of Business Administration from Wayne State University. She spent many years in banking IT before transitioning into database consulting. In 2016, she purchased an Internet based business, HighlandXPress.com, selling Scottish Highland Dance supplies and Scottish goods. She is a passionate advocate for Samaritas, a social services agency that serves those in need; serving on their Foundation Board for many years and now as an ambassador for the organization. She is also passionate about Michigan football having season tickets for over 40 years! Go Blue! Currently is living in South Lyon with her husband and 2 Whoodles (Wheaton Terrier/Poodle mix).

While at UM-Dearborn, Edward (Ned) Nielsen participated in the co-op program with four work terms at the Chevrolet Engineering Center and the GM Proving Grounds. That co-op experience, along with two UM-Dearborn professors, Dr. Na and Dr. Kurajian, had a huge impact on his life and career. After graduation Ned worked in the aerospace industry where he was the project engineer for the gyroscopes used on the lunar rover and the F111 Fighter plane. He then worked in the laser construction tool industry where he was Vice President of Engineering and received 17 U.S. Patents. After 28 years in industry, Ned joined Calvin College as a Professor of Engineering Design. He always wanted to give back as the UM-Dearborn professors and what the co-op experience had given to him. While at Calvin, Ned started and ran an internship program helping to place three thousand plus students in internship positions. He also started and led two international programs taking over 1,200 students to Europe. Ned retired from Calvin College after 25 years, then joined Hope College where he set up and ran an internship program and a summer program in Germany. After 5 years at Hope College, he has retired for a second time.
 

In 2012, Shanta’l graduated from ÿ�մ��� with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications and Cultural Studies and a minor in Public Relations. Shanta’l Overton is the Founder and CEO of Prove Them Wrong, LLC. At Prove Them Wrong, we seek to inspire, encourage, uplift, and eliminate self-doubt. Also, providing the tools and inspiration to help transform your narrative. We love having community events throughout the year such as our Girls Basketball Camp and Golf Fundraiser. As well has having a book scholarship at our alma mater, the ÿ�մ���. Outside of continuing to “Prove Them Wrong,” Shanta’l is a Software Trainer for an Electronic Medical Records Company (EMR). She travels often to make sure Providers and their staff are taught how to operate thoroughly within the EMR system. While being a student at UM-Dearborn, Shanta’l became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Delta Psi Chapter in Spring 2010. In which she is active and financial at the Detroit Alumnae Chapter! In her free time, Shanta’l loves to spend time with family and friends. Always showing love to Detroit, where she was born and raised! But also, being a sports fanatic and catching a Wolverines, Detroit Lions and/or Pistons game!

Toni Simovski has been an AP Social Studies Teacher at South Lyon High School for 27 years, primarily teaching AP American Government, Government. and US History. He currently serves as the coach of both the Science and Social Studies Olympiad Teams at South Lyon High School. Before he began teaching, Toni worked as an interpreter for the US military in the Balkans. He served as a past member of the College of Education, Heath, and Human Services Alumni Affiliate board, and worked as a Teacher Fellow with The Henry Ford. He has been honored as the 2010 UM-Dearborn School of Education Alum of Year, 2009 Michigan Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and 2007 Michigan Civic Teacher of the Year.

Mary Starr is the Executive Director of the Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network and President of Starr and Associates, Education Consultants. She has spent her career fighting for the right of K-12 students to have access to high-quality learning in science and mathematics. Currently she is part of two national collaborations, OpenSciEd and Learning in Places. OpenSciEd brings K-12 science learning to all students through high-quality instructional materials, aligned to the science learning standards and consistent with science pedagogical practices. Mary is a co-Principal Investigator Learning in Places, funded by the National Science Foundation, a field-based set of learning materials that are transdisciplinary and aimed at better connecting PK-5 students to their community. Both these initiatives are Open Education Resources which means they are free to all. Mary has also written multiple books for middle school students leveraging her knowledge of project-based learning and has several peer reviewed journal articles. When not meeting with national science education leaders, she can be found presenting at National Science Teaching Association national or sitting in a middle school classroom supporting students and teachers as they learn. She earned her B.A. with teacher certification in elementary in 1986 and taught for several years after which she went to graduate school in Ann Arbor and earned a Ph.D. in science education. Mary and her husband Joe (’86 B.S.E.M.E., ’95 M.S.E., engineering) have four children and two (along with their partners) recently graduated from UM-Dearborn. She currently also serves on the Wayne County Women’s Commission, representing the western parts of Wayne County.

Desirae Tolbert serves as the Chief Public Affairs Officer at Detroit Public Schools Community District where she oversees the Office of Public Affairs and Marketing which is responsible for managing the Districts brand identity and presence. She holds an MBA from Madonna University with a concentration on Non-Profit Leadership and Strategic Management. Her undergraduate degree hails from the University of Michigan Dearborn where her majors were African American Studies, Criminal Justice, and Urban Planning. Desirae takes pride in her commitment to inclusion and advocates for families with children and disabilities. Desirae is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated where she serves and the regional graphic design chairman and maintains board seats on several local non-profit organizations including the Detroit Promise Board of Directors. In her spare time, Desirae dedicates herself to service in the Southeastern Michigan communities concentrating on early childhood literacy, strengthening and supporting families, and increasing positive self-identities for young people.
 

Alumni affiliates are organizations that relate to specific program areas, special interests, and/or special alumni activities that are recognized by UM-Dearborn. A member of each alumni affiliate will serve on the Board as a voting member. Learn more about alumni affiliate work.

The following alumni affiliates are currently recognized:
African American Alumni Affiliate
Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Alumni Affiliate

Rachel Leonard is a dedicated advisor and program manager at the ÿ�մ���, where she oversees the 4S Program and supports the Student Support Services (SSS) Program. In her current role, she collaborates closely with students, particularly those from first-generation and low-income backgrounds, helping them navigate their academic journeys and plan for life after graduation. With nearly 50% of the campus population identifying as first-generation students, Rachel plays a vital role in ensuring their success through personalized advising and targeted support. Rachel’s responsibilities include regular one-on-one meetings with students to address their academic and career goals, managing data to track student progress, and organizing workshops and events that foster personal and academic growth. She also leads a team of eight student staff members, providing mentorship and training to help them excel in their roles. A proud UM-Dearborn graduate from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (2018), Rachel continued her academic journey by earning a Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University in 2020. Her own experiences as a first-generation college student empower her to connect with and support students who face similar challenges. Rachel's unique perspective allows her to guide students in becoming well-rounded, successful individuals throughout their college careers and beyond. Rachel’s passion for student success and her commitment to helping others achieve their goals make her an invaluable asset to the UM-Dearborn community. Rachel serves as the Graduates of the Last Decade Alumni Affiliate co-chair.

Judah Vashti Doty is a non-voting member and is the board's liaison to the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. With over 15 years of diverse experience in higher education and organizational leadership, Judah is a transformative leader dedicated to fostering inclusive and engaging environments. As the Associate Director of Affiliate Programs at the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Judah excels in strategic planning, volunteer management, and event coordination, driving initiatives that connect and empower diverse alumni communities. Her proficiency in data-driven growth and collaborative engagement ensures the alignment of affiliate programs with the university's mission. Judah holds a Master's degree in Higher Education with a focus on Diversity and Social Justice from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Leadership and Africana Studies from Hampshire College. Her extensive background includes roles such as a Higher Education Consultant for the James Baldwin Scholars Program and a Senior Project Research Associate for multiple universities. Judah's expertise spans budget management, conflict resolution, and cultural awareness, making her a sought-after public speaker and consultant committed to positively impacting organizations and communities. Judah’s professional service includes research roles at the National Center for Institutional Diversity and active participation in the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program. Her bold and dynamic leadership style, rooted in a profound commitment to liberation—especially in mental, spiritual, and social realms that hinder self-love and communal unity—demonstrates her capacity to ignite impactful transformation and cultivate inclusive belonging across the academic community.
 

Two current UM-Dearborn students represent the student voice as ex-officio members of the Board. 

Valeria Garcia-Lopez is a senior in the ÿ�մ���’s College of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management. Valeria is a proud first generation student and oldest sister to two younger siblings. Currently, she is involved in Student Support Services (SSS), Select Student Support Services (4S), and the First Generation Student Organization. Her goal for when she graduates is to become a Human Resource Specialist so she can continue to help others within an organization whether it be with questions or concerns, resources, or anything that can help the workplace improve. Valeria looks forward to serving on the Alumni Society Board as a Student Representative, where she can provide insight from a student’s prospective as a current Dearborn Wolverine. Go Blue! Go Dearborn!
 

Cadence Pero is a senior at the University of Michigan–Dearborn on a 4+1 track to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology. She is interested in assisting those who are frequently stigmatized and marginalized from society, concentrating on the areas of healing, advancement of skills, and community reintegration. Cadence is deeply involved in student life, serving as captain of the Women’s Ice Hockey team and a member of the Women’s Golf team. In her role as captain, she creates a welcoming environment for incoming students and helps them transition to postsecondary study. She also serves as Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), where she strives to improve the student-athlete experience and promote relationships between athletes and the community by means of service and leadership initiatives. Cadence is eager to remain a part of the Alumni Society Board and hopes to further develop the connection between alumni and current students!