Building Block Team
Each building block has a committee and leadership chairperson. Join a committee, share your ideas, and make a difference!
Catherine Johnson
Best Practices
Co-Chair
Catherine Johnson is the Assistant Director of the Center for Social Impact at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Her focus at the center is on social enterprise and social innovation programming, including oversight of the Michigan Business Challenge Social Impact Track, a social enterprise business plan competition for U-M students. Previously she was the Enterprise Director at New Avenues for Youth in Portland, Oregon, where she launched and managed social enterprises that train and employ homeless youth.
Marcus Harris
Best Practices
Co-Chair
Marcus Harris is an entrepreneur trainer, educator, researcher; social entrepreneur and community leader. Marcus lends his talents to ARISE Detroit, Wayne County Community College District, Urban Strategy Services, D:Hive Build Social
Nico Fischer
Marketplace
Chair
Nico Fischer is the CEO, First Avenue Media. Nico is an experienced global entrepreneur, volunteer, multicultural business strategist + marketing specialist. She collaborates with social enterprises/entrepreneurs, global corporations, SME’s, + non-profit organizations to successfully advance their businesses + social impact goals. Clients leverage her inter-disciplinary consulting practice to identify + solve their critical business challenges; her fresh approach integrates creativity, business, strategy, design, technology, + psychology, to achieve significant results. Nico passionately loves global travel + adventure; she's planning her next surfing jaunt to Asia.
Jamie Shea
Funding & Capital Flow
Co-Chair
Open
Talent
Co-Chair
Gary Dembs
Talent
Co-Chair
Nicole Mangis
Public Policy
Chair
Nicole Mangis is currently the CEO of Launch Exchange, a startup space in Detroit designed to support social enterprise, and co-owner of Social Impact Zone Detroit. She is also the Assistant Director of iLabs, the Center for Innovation Research at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she manages operations and research.
