Derek Janis is Chief Marketing Officer at AcquireUp, a technology-first seminar marketing platform for financial professionals. He leads brand, demand, and partnerships, and recently launched the new AcquireUp brand by re-establishing audience engagement and unifying the product portfolio and go-to-market strategy. Named one of WSR’s “Top 5 Wealth Management CMOs” in 2025, Derek has builtContinue reading “Derek Janis, AcquireUp”
Author Archives: zdyourman22
Jorel McCree, Pinterest
Jorel McCree is a Partner Manager at Pinterest on the Automotive vertical and an Executive in Residence at the Digital Summer Clinic. Jorel is a dynamic marketing professional with a proven track record of driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships. He specializes in brand strategy, digital marketing, and account management. As a PartnerContinue reading “Jorel McCree, Pinterest”
Bilal Saeed, CLR Academy
Bilal Saeed is a sports executive, entrepreneur, community builder and part time lecturer. Saeed is co-founder of CLR Academy, co-owner of AFC Ann Arbor and serves on the Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness. Bilal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bs,aeed/
Bud Gibson, EMU Center for Digital Engagement
In January 2015, Bud led the establishment of the Center for Digital Engagement at Eastern Michigan University. With the generous support of the College of Business, the CDE currently sponsors the Digital Marketing Workshop and monthly breakfast series. In Summer 2015, the CDE entered into a multi-year collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation andContinue reading “Bud Gibson, EMU Center for Digital Engagement”
Kayla Villegas, Google
Kayla Villegas first joined Google through the BOLD internship program in 2015. Now a Senior Account Executive, she partners on marketing strategy with brands across fintech, legal, home services, and auto industries. Kayla excels at building trusted client relationships & is passionate about mentorship – serving as a social impact lead for the Filipino GoogleContinue reading “Kayla Villegas, Google”
Liz Ledlie, Ford
Elizabeth (Liz) Ledlie is a strategic marketing leader with 15 years of experiencedriving brand marketing and digital transformation. She currently serves as Headof Integrated Marketing for Autonomous Software Subscriptions at Ford MotorCompany. Previously, Liz has orchestrated Ford’s digital commerce transformation leadingproduct strategy and establishing Ford’s first-ever end-to-end vehiclee-commerce platform. Liz holds an MBA from theContinue reading “Liz Ledlie, Ford”
Taylor Nash, Career Now Brands
Taylor Nash is a marketing strategist with a passion for building meaningful connections between clients and their audiences. As Manager of Marketing Automation and Operations at Career Now Brands, she leads the development and execution of integrated lead generation campaigns—always with a deep focus on understanding the client and users’ journey and aligning marketing effortsContinue reading “Taylor Nash, Career Now Brands”
Natalie Fang, Nochi Studios
Natalie Fang is a multifaceted professional with a passion for learning and entrepreneurship. Currently, she leads Nochi Studios as Founder and CEO, while also sharing her expertise as a lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Information. Prior to this, Natalie honed her skills in various corporate roles, working in Global Sourcing and ProductContinue reading “Natalie Fang, Nochi Studios”
Kim Barker, EMU Management Department
Dr. Kimberley Barker is a distinguished educator, author, and global thought leader dedicated to fostering belonging and cultural competence in individuals and organizations. With a Ph.D. in Organization Development and an MBA, she brings a robust academic background to her work. She is also a certified cultural management coach with the Fons Trompenaars’ network, furtherContinue reading “Kim Barker, EMU Management Department”
Nick Woods, Google
Nick Woods graduated from EMU in 2018 with a bachelors in Marketing. He interned with the Digital Summer Clinic that same year and was hired on by the company he was helping out, Genomenon, a biotech startup based out of Ann Arbor, MI. After a period there, he moved over to iProspect, a digital adContinue reading “Nick Woods, Google”
Sufian Qrunfleh, EMU Marketing Department
Dr. Sufian Qrunfleh is the Interim Department Head of Marketing & an Associate Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Eastern Michigan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Manufacturing Management from The University of Toledo in Ohio. He routinely teaches operations management, supply chain management, and operations planning and scheduling in supply chain atContinue reading “Sufian Qrunfleh, EMU Marketing Department”
Emma Nye, Detroit Tigers
Emma Nye is the Director of Social Media for the Detroit Tigers, bringing over 10 years of experience in marketing and communications. With a career spanning public relations, publications, and digital media, she has spent the past eight years in sports marketing, beginning with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 before joining the Tigers. Emma holdsContinue reading “Emma Nye, Detroit Tigers”
Mal Smith, Detroit Pistons
Mal Smith is a Producer and Editor for the Detroit Pistons with over 12 years of experience in content creation. His work spans social media, graphic design, and video production, with a strong passion for storytelling in sports. Mal has built a diverse portfolio and collaborated with athletes including Draymond Green, Miles Bridges, and more.Continue reading “Mal Smith, Detroit Pistons”
Andrew Kristoff, Detroit Red Wings
Andrew Kristoff is the Director of Digital Media for the Detroit Red Wings, where he has spent over a decade advancing through the organization’s marketing ranks. He began on the Promotions Team in 2013 before moving into social media roles, ultimately serving as Social Media Marketing Director and became the Director of Digital Media inContinue reading “Andrew Kristoff, Detroit Red Wings”