Our People

Tonya Myers Phillips is an attorney with a passion for using her legal talent to improve her community. She currently works with Michigan Legal Services as a foreclosure defense attorney representing homeowners and tenants in danger of losing their homes.

Prior to joining Michigan Legal Services, Ms Phillips was in private practice representing small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and individuals including institutions such as ShoreBank Enterprise, the Detroit Association of Black Organizations, and the former Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute. Ms. Phillips regularly participates in seminars and panels to share her expertise with the community. She teaches a “How to Become a Nonprofit” mini-course with the Detroit Association of Black Organizations.

Ms. Phillips has experience working in municipal law, and with the Charter in particular. She worked with the Detroit City Council and its Special Counsel William Goodman to analyze and interpret the Council’s removal and forfeiture powers under the Detroit City Charter. Ms. Phillips also worked with the Guild Law Center and the Detroit City Council to strengthen the investigatory and enforcement provisions of the Detroit Living Wage Ordinance which mandates workers be paid a “living wage” for their services on high-value city contracts.

Tonya Phillips was born and raised in Detroit , Michigan. Ms. Phillips attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors from Renaissance High School. Ms. Phillips received her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan. She also went on to attend and receive her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Phillips was honored with the Distinguished Young Lawyer Award in 2006 from the Wolverine Bar Association.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for DWEJ, Ms. Phillips also serves as a board member for the Village Gardeners and People Actively Taking Chance to Help Educate Society (P.A.T.C.H.E.S). Ms. Phillips also works with the Save Our Spirit Coalition to advocate for maximum block grant funding community organizations. Ms. Phillips was also recently appointed to serve on the Detroit Charter Commission to revise the City of Detroit Charter.

Phillip Cooley graduated from Columbia College of Chicago (B.A. ’00). After modeling for two years, primarily in Europe, he moved back to Detroit, in search of more substance to his life. He opened open Slows Bar B Q and Slows To Go with various partners and is a general contractor with O’Connor Development. Because of Slows’ success, Cooley has been afforded the opportunity to help those in need in Detroit. He works on projects ranging from helping others open small businesses, to building public spaces and public art.

Cooley sits on the board of directors for Architectural Salvage Warehouse Detroit, New Detroit, Center for Community Based Enterprise, The Greening of Detroit, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice and The Roosevelt Park Conservancy. He is also on the advisory board of ACLU of Southeastern Michigan and the advisory committee for the James L. and John S. Knight Foundation (Detroit). In 2010, Cooley accepted the position as Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Task Force for the Detroit Works Project, a master-planning project for the city of Detroit. He is passionate about Detroit because he believes that it is a Democratic city where all are welcome to participate.

Dr. Head serves as Health Officer/Director for the Monroe County Health Department. Her University of Michigan PhD is in Toxicology and she holds American Board of Toxicology Diplomate certification/DABT. In 2006, Dr. Head was re-appointed to the US EPA’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council/NDWAC and in 2005, co-chaired the NDWAC Water Security Working Group. Her water security leadership led to her being named one of the Journal of Public Works’ fifty national 2005 Trendsetters.

Dr. Head has been a past member of American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Board of Directors & its Executive Committee and continues on its Public Information Advisory Forum/PIAF. She also is a member of Underwriters Laboratories’ Environmental & Public Health Council; the AFSCME NIEHS Hazardous Waste Training Grant Advisory Committee and the National Environmental Education Foundation’s National Steering Committee for Wellness & the Environment.

She has been a member of the National City & County Health Officers Environmental Health and Prevention Advisory Committee and now is a current member of its Public Health/PH Preparedness Essential Services Committee. She chairs the Committee’s associated Metrics Workgroup and is a member of US CDC’s PH Evaluation Workgroup that focuses on metrics. In November 2007, Dr. Head began a two year term as Chair of the American Public Health Association’s Environment Section. In Michigan, she chaired the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded Multi-State Learning Collaborative/MLC-1 Assessment Workgroup that developed a Total Quality Management/TQI tool as Michigan’s contribution toward establishing a national accreditation program for state and local health agencies.

Dr. Head continues as the 2008 co-chair of the MLC-3 Steering Committee for the third and last phase of the national grant program. She served on the Environmental Justice Planning Committee for the 1994 National “Symposium on Health Research and Needs to Ensure Environmental Justice,” and authored the chapter entitled “Health-Based Standards: What Role in Environmental Justice?” in the 1995 Island press book, Issues, Policies, and, Solutions for Environmental Justice, edited by University of Michigan Professor Bunyan Bryant.

A senior professional with more than 20 years of diverse experience in multiple industries; including Outsourcing Resource Technology, Higher Education, Insurance, Food Manufacturing, Financial and Technology Sales industries. Diane has been effective and successful in IT management governance, financial development and analysis, strategic and tactical planning, project management, business process improvement, and methodology development activities.

She currently serves as a Center Manager who is responsible for managing a consultant business model, outsourcing an IT operation as a Preferred Provider for ongoing IT services to Ford Motor Company, a contract valued at $100 million annually for Compuware Corporation

Previously Diane was the Business Relations Manager at the Application Management Center and in that role was responsible for managing business function requirements and processes relative to the Compuware contract within the Ford AMC. This center consisted of over 1200 employees from Ford and Compuware and had an annual budget of $150 million.

Prior to coming to Compuware Diane was Associate Director, Office of University Budget at Wayne State University and was responsible for the planning and implementation of major operational activities. She also served on a task force overseeing the requirements and implementation of the Finance, Budget and Human Resource systems.

In her role as Manager, Financial Planning Department at AAA Michigan Diane was responsible for managing the planning, collecting, analyzing and reporting processes relative to budget, forecast, strategic performance measures, and capital acquisitions. Also during her tenure at AAA she directed a number of cross-functional team efforts in the analysis and subsequent recommendations for re-alignment of departments, improved business processes and post implementation measures.

Diane has a Master of Science in Finance and Certified Project Manager from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Davenport University.

In addition to Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, Diane is involved in several other volunteer roles in the community. These include the Detroit Women’s Economic Club, Women in Leadership Community Practice and Women in Technology.

Keith Laughlin is the president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation’s largest trails organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters. With an extensive network of partners in the recreation, health promotion, transportation and conservation communities, RTC works to create a national environment that promotes, protects and facilitates the conversion of former railroad rights-of-way into public access trails throughout the country. Today, with more than 11,500 miles of open rail-trails, RTC is helping hundreds of U.S. communities connect distinct trails into regional trail networks supported by all levels of government and informed and involved grassroots communities.

Laughlin joined RTC in February 2001 and has guided the organization’s effort to become a national leader in the trails and greenways movement. In addition to leading an organization with six field offices and a staff of about 50, Laughlin regularly testifies before Congress on important trail-related issues, develops RTC partnerships, campaigns and programmatic direction and spearheads RTC’s effort to ensure a meaningful renewal of the Transportation Enhancements program, scheduled for re-authorization in 2003.

Laughlin’s career has been based in Washington, D.C. and focused on a variety of issues, most notably environmental conservation and livable communities. Prior to joining RTC Laughlin was the associate director for sustainable development on the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. Appointed in 1993, he directed the inter-agency team that developed the Clinton administration’s wetlands reform policy, one of the earliest efforts to demonstrate that economic and environmental goals need not be in conflict and, in fact, were often in harmony.

From 1996 to 2000, Laughlin focused exclusively on issues related to the burgeoning “smart growth” development and planning movement as well as community livability as a whole. He became chair of the White House Task Force on Livable Communities in 1999, and was the primary author of the administration’s Building Livable Communities report released in 2000.

Laughlin’s move into the nonprofit trails sector reflects his strongly held belief that a nationwide network or interconnecting trails can provide countless valuable community benefits, including low- or no-cost recreation and alternative commuting options for people of all ages and abilities throughout the country.

A resident of Washington, D.C., Laughlin is married and has two children.

Carey Stanton is Senior Director for Education and Integrated marketing at National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Carey oversees the development of national partnerships, campaigns, media and film projects and is responsible for extensive fundraising to enhance NWF’s mission-driven work. She has 15 years of experience designing and implementing social action and award-winning curricula and training programs for NWF and state agencies. For example, Carey was the principal curriculum developer, advisor and faculty for the launch of the Honorable Al Gore’s Climate Project in the United States and Australia, which trained more than 1,000 volunteers to give his presentation, the basis for An Inconvenient Truth, to over two million people.

Carey has developed partnerships within the entertainment industry to advance NWF’s conservation mission, including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Walden Media, Participant Media, Roadside Attractions, PBS, Disney and Discovery. She oversees the creation of social action, community events, curricula and media campaigns in conjunction with films: HOOT, Narnia: Prince Caspian, An Inconvenient Truth, Nim’s Island, An ARctic Tale, Battle for Terra, Shorts, Where the Wild Things Are, Furry Vengeance, Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Yogi Bear, and (2011) Born to be Wild, Happy Feet 2, and Dolphin Tale. She also writes and produces featurettes and public service announcements to engage a wider range of constituents through social media, most recently a series of award-winning PSAs for NWF’s Campus Chill Out! Competition which aired on Discovery’s Planet Green and Go Green Tube and the Chill Out! award webcast that was nominated for an Imagen Award as “Best National Informational Programming” for the positive portrayal of Latinos and Latino culture in the entertainment industry.

Carey has been recognized for her role in the creation of NWF’s model leadership development program for urban and minority youth, Earth Tomorrow, by the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Forest Service, and honored for curriculum development by the Association of Education Publishers for The Cost of Cool. She guest lectures for universities and community colleges on environmental education and human dimensions and presents at international national and regional conferences. Carey has been featured and written articles in many local and national publications, including Nature magazine, Chronicle of Philanthropy, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle, and National Wildlife magazine. She has appeared on National Public Radio and several video projects for NWF and partners. Carey has held various BOD and advisory positions including President, Michigan Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, Climate Counts and Green Community Schools.

Carey holds a M.S. in Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University, and a B.S. in Animal Science and Speech Communications from the University of Tennessee. She lives in Austin, Texas, where her favorite thing to do is spend time with her daughter Caroline – preferably outdoors.

Guy Williams is President & CEO of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice. He formerly served as the Senior Director for Community Development and Relations at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and as a Program Manager for Fair Food Foundation. Williams received his B.S. from Bucknell University and is well known nationally for his work as an advocate for environmental justice and developer of community based programming. Guy has more than twenty years of experience facilitating community dialog and in creating effective collaborations among business, government, and community interests.

Throughout his career he has been dedicated to working in and for communities across the country. Guy is a founding member of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice. During his tenure at the National Wildlife Federation, Williams led projects to limit the amount of chemicals in the Great Lakes food chain. His work on establishing best practices for mercury pollution prevention for sewage treatment plants and in the healthcare industry was seminal in the formation of the international Healthcare Without Harm Coalition. He is also board member of Eastern Market Corporation Detroit.

He has deep experience in working at the community level in positions of leadership. For example, he served as Chair of the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, on the board of the S.E. Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and is Vice-Chair of the national board of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. he remains a member of the External Advisory Committee of the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems, and the Michigan Green Chemistry Roundtable.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Studies and Application, Domiana is currently the program manager for DWEJ’s Youth on Patrol Against Pollution (YOPAP) program which enlists young people in environmental advocacy and civic engagement to help shape long-term commitment to environmental justice.  She has also worked for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency where she assisted in the development of new environmental justice targeting tools.  A former intern with Michigan Environmental Action Council, she helped to develop diversity training seminars and hosted healthy food forums for mothers in the Detroit Metro Area. Domiana is also certified with the State of Michigan as a lead risk assessor/inspector. 

 Sue Collins was born and raised in the heart of Detroit and has grown to know the city and its people as well as their needs. She is a graduate of Cody High and has since gained experience in a variety of business administration areas of work. She worked with CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm, providing lease administration services, which consisted of approximately 400 clients, on site to Ford Motor Land.  Sue later entered into the telecommunications business sector and worked with Sprint during its merge with Nextel as a lease administrator with a portfolio of approximately 800 clients.  During this time, Sue also started her own business providing financial reporting and advice to clients.  Sue began her career at DWEJ as a temp and eventually becoming Business Manager. Sue makes all of her financial decisions in consideration of DWEJ, the Detroit community, and the environment. 

Kimberly Hill has a bachelor’s in education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a master’s in educational administration from Temple University in Philadelphia. Before joining DWEJ, Kimberly worked as a legislative assistant and community development adviser for Michigan Congressman John Conyers (Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee). In that position, Kimberly helped to craft the landmark affordable housing legislation, the Bringing America Home Act. In her role as Policy Manager, Kimberly has mobilized around federal legislation to protect the EPA and spearheaded the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative, the city’s first comprehensive climate change action plan. She attended COP15 (Conference of the Parties) international climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009, where she facilitated a meeting with the White House, EPA, and environmental justice delegates to discuss the importance of passing a binding agreement that protects low-income and minority communities from the adverse impacts of climate change. In addition to her work at DWEJ, Kimberly teaches political science at two local community colleges. 

As manager for workforce development, Lynette develops and implement  guidelines for training, ensuring alignment with organization’s mission and enlist team supports that assist in getting results and meeting expected outcomes for programs. She also works with workforce team to improve existing programs while initiating new changes to existing programs. Lynette earned a degree in Business Management from Walsh College and moved on to a career in Chemical Analysis for 15 years. Her vast experience and loyalty brought her to DWEJ in 2009. Lynette hopes that DWEJ will continue to take a lead role in redevelopment of the city. She strongly believe in DWEJ’s mission of  clean, safe and healthy environment for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity and income. 

Kinnus R. Paul grew up on the Westside of Detroit, MI, were he spent many of days playing all types of sports, anything from hockey to volleyball. He attended Northwestern High School in Detroit and earned a full scholarship to Western Kentucky University, where he earned his Bachelor degree in Business in spring of 2004. Kinnus is also a graduate of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice Green Jobs Training Program. Kinnus joined DWEJ’s staff in late August of 2008 as a Job Developer on a part time contract. Kinnus was hired into DWEJ full time in November of 2008 as a Job Developer. Now Kinnus assists in the day to day activities of the current training class and he also teaches Job Readiness. 

Charles Stokes grew up on the east side of Detroit, and is also a graduate of DWEJ’s inaugural green jobs training program. He is a community organizer, developing leadership and advocacy skills with the Green Jobs Alumni Club and Youth program.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Sandra grew up in a suburban subdivision in Ypsilanti, MI, and then she went to planning school in a big city and learned to love grid-patterned streets, density, resource conservation, public transportation and neighborhood cafes. She still loves nature, albeit that of a more natural kind. After completing her SB/Masters in City Planning at MIT, she taught high schoolers about the Cold War in Monterrey, Mexico, and then came to Detroit in 2008 to work for environmental justice with DWEJ. Outside of her job, she enjoys serving on nonprofit boards, neighboring on the east side with her church, kicking it in the Detroit Futbol League, and stirring up progressive trouble with Declare Detroit.  

Molly Newman is a graduate of Central Michigan University where she received her masters degree in Non-Profit Administration with a Leadership concentration. She also received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Geography from CMU in 2010. Molly works as the Program Associate where she focuses on ensuring routine and smooth operations for all of DWEJ’s programs. Molly is passionate about the work of DWEJ and is eager to contribute to the well-being of Detroit. Recently married, Molly particularly enjoys running, exploring the hidden treasures of Michigan, spending time with her family and cheering for the Detroit Tigers! 

Grace has over six years experience in the nonprofit sector. Her experiences include a diverse array of functions, including office management, fund development, marketing, grant writing, membership, event planning, and program evaluations. She graduated from the University of Windsor with a BA in Communications and matriculated graduate school in Human Resources. In her free time, Grace likes to experience the activities and fine dining Detroit has to offer. 

Noelle Frye is a senior at Wayne State University where she is earning her BS in Environmental Studies. She was born and raised in Detroit and is committed to boosting the environmental stability of the city. Noelle has worked with DWEJ as an intern for the past four years assisting with Green Jobs. During her first year as an intern, Noelle spent most of her time on the DWEJ’s YOPAP program while also working with Photo Voice capturing the effects of pollution through photos taken around the city. An active advocate for the City of Detroit outside of work, Noelle is involved in the Young Educators Alliance at the East Michigan Environmental Action Council and enjoys making jewelry and acting. 

Douglas Brooks has been working as an intern at DWEJ since January 2012. He assists the Job Developer, with Green Jobs and the Alumni Club which Douglas himself is a member of, having graduated from the program in 2011. Because of his strong heart for the city of Detroit, its people, and the environment, Douglas is starting his own non-profit called Project Green Seed. His organization focuses on alternative energy such as wind and water power to take the place of much more abrasive sources. When his time is not occupied with DWEJ or Project Green Seed, Douglas enjoys sports, jazz music, and spending time with his five children. 

New to the DWEJ team, Leslie comes from a background of strategic communications planning with experience leading brand development, marketing strategy and CRM management. Her previous marketing positions include an international architectural firm and a full service advertising and public relations agency. In addition to corporate experience, she has served on non-profit boards and led community outreach and fundraising programs. As a part-time employee with DWEJ, she will work with the staff on daily operational items as well as social marketing programs and CRM implementation. Leslie received her bachelor’s in telecommunications from Michigan State University with a minor in social science. While not at DWEJ, Leslie teaches dance, volunteers with the Junior League of Detroit and spends time with her son and husband.