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Detroit native Darnell Adams is the Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives for the Gilbert Family Foundation. He brings more than 10 years of community development, strategic planning, and thought leadership experience to his role. Throughout his career, Darnell has strived to build and adjust resources that directly affect Detroiters.

Prior to joining the Gilbert Family Foundation, Darnell served as Vice President, Neighborhoods at Invest Detroit where he led equitable investments in the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund districts with a special focus on supporting BIPOC developers. Previously, he served as the Director, Inventory for the Detroit Land Bank Authority where he oversaw the strategic disposition of 94,000 publicly owned parcels.

Darnell is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Urban & Regional Planning. Darnell continues to push community development work forward as a board member of several community development organizations across Detroit and shares his work through local, national, and international forums.

Andrea serves as a Senior Program Manager on the Detroit Community Initiatives team. Her work involves managing a portfolio of investments that reinforce the foundation’s commitment to grow opportunity and equity for Detroit residents and businesses. In addition, she is responsible for supporting the Economic Mobility, Arts and Culture, and Public Space teams as it relates to our North Star Strategy.

A native Detroiter, Andrea began her career in the non-profit sector creating and delivering products and services to support housing stabilization, economic mobility, and environmentally sustainable practices in Detroit. Prior to joining the Gilbert Family Foundation, she worked at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where she managed business retention and expansion projects throughout Wayne County.

Andrea is a graduate of the University of Michigan and New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service where she received a degree in Urban Planning.

Brandi Brown is a Program Manager on the Economic Mobility Team with the Gilbert Family Foundation. Through the lens of community and family development, she focuses on building strategies that remove economic hardships and lack of financial opportunities across generations.

Brandi’s work with the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Economic Mobility Team fosters co-designed initiatives that helps Detroit households reimagine their ability to grow and maintain their income through increased wages, skills attainment, and pathways to entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Gilbert Family Foundation, Brandi programmed the over-arching Rocket Family of Companies’ team member-facing initiatives at Rock Connections.

Brandi began her service career as a AmeriCorps member with City Year Detroit, where she launched learning partnerships with the Detroit Public School Community District. Brandi’s equitable collaborations with Youth on the Edge of Greatness, Matrix Human Services and College for Creative Studies helped to launch Detroit Neighborhoods Arts Workshops, the first Detroit joint initiative aimed at creating entrepreneurship pathways for young artists. Complimented by her background in holistic health, Brandi’s professional principles are grounded in supporting Detroiters through trauma-informed practices and partnerships.

Brandi attends Wayne State University, where she is earning a degree in Psychology and Urban Education & Equality Studies.

Cayla Chamberlin is a Senior Program Manager with the Gilbert Family Foundation. A passionate public space professional, she works to create safe, inclusive, and active parks and public spaces in Detroit. In her role on the Public Spaces team, Cayla works with neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, and government entities to invest in public spaces throughout the city.

Cayla has experience working on a variety of projects in Detroit including the building of the Esplanade in downtown Detroit and the redevelopment of McDuffy Park in the Piety Hill neighborhood. She has been leading the Downtown Detroit Winter Markets in Cadillac Square since the initiative was created in 2017.

Cayla is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and an additional degree in Communications.

Laura Grannemann is the Executive Director of the Rocket Community Fund and Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. Laura joined the Rock Family of Companies in May of 2014 after graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in International Development.

In her dual roles, Laura focuses on breaking down complex systems related to economic development and neighborhood stabilization, including Detroit’s tax foreclosure crisis, the mortgage market in the city, and creating education programs that prepare students for 21st century jobs in Detroit. She also oversees all volunteer engagement and giving initiatives for the Rock Family of Companies via the Rocket Community Fund.

Throughout her time with the Rock Family of Companies, Laura has led projects that bring together community, public and private partners such as Rehabbed & Ready, Motor City Mapping, Neighbor to Neighbor, the Make It Home program, and the Detroit Tax Relief Fund. This work has affected tens of thousands of Detroit residents, allowing families to stay in their homes, become homeowners, and build equity and opportunity.

Akua Hill serves as the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Director of Arts and Culture, where she drives forward key initiatives to strengthen Detroit’s creative cultural landscape. In her current role, Hill harnesses her deep experience in community development, social justice, and shaping strong cultural ecosystems to actively support the creation of equitable and inclusive arts and culture programming in Detroit neighborhoods.

Previously, Hill served as the Capacity Building Director for Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), where her work focused on building neighborhood power through transformative community-centered processes. In collaboration with key community partners, Akua was responsible for developing a comprehensive technical assistance system to support the capacity building needs of community development organizations across the city of Detroit. She also co-authored the Rest and Liberation Initiative report and aided the Kresge Foundation and Co.Act Detroit in building more accessible, equitable and trust-based philanthropic practices for their grants programs.

A native of Harlem, New York, Hill has worked on various educational advocacy initiatives in New York City and Newark, NJ. She worked closely with students, families, community partners and elected officials for the attainment of strategic advocacy goals focused on the equitable distribution of educational resources. Akua has facilitated a wide range of community informed planning projects – from working on Mayor Karl Dean’s Child and Youth Master Plan for the city of Nashville, Tennessee, to guiding local community organizations in Bahia, Brazil through a process of evaluating and improving their engagement strategies.

Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in Human & Organizational Development and a master’s degree in Community Development & Action from Vanderbilt University. She is an alum of the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan Fellowship and was selected as one of the emerging leaders for Bank of America’s 2018 Neighborhood Builders Award. Additionally, Hill was part of Everyday Democracy’s Institute for Community Change Leaders cohort and completed the Advancing Racial Justice in Organizations training at the Interaction Institute for Social Change.

Efrén Muñoz is a Scientific Analyst for the Gilbert Family Foundation. In his role, he supports the Scientific Officer to advance projects and research that further the goal of curing neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Efrén has a background in physics and molecular engineering and has spent the past several years applying his skills to develop technologies that better analyze and characterize biological systems.

Growing up in the city of Detroit, Efrén spent his spare time participating in organizations whose goals aligned with his values and passions, to alleviate the pains that many residents experienced both economically and medically. His experience living, working and volunteering within the communities of Detroit and have substantially informed the trajectory of his career.

Efrén holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Physics from Wayne State University, and a Master of Science in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Elwy Okaz serves as the Senior Scientific Program Manager on the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Curing NF team, where he leads the Gene Therapy Initiative. Before joining the foundation, he was a Research Scientist at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and their impact on memory and learning.

Dr. Okaz holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of disease conditions and therapeutic strategies. He also earned a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Bremen in Germany, where his research centered on the posttranslational modifications of Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Dr. Okaz gained valuable experience as an Associate Scientist with the Project Search and Evaluation team at the Center for Drug Research and Development (now adMare BioInnovations, Canada). In this role, he conducted scientific due diligence and fostered strategic partnerships between academia and industry. His contributions supported preclinical translation efforts for innovative therapies, including first-in-class small molecules, biologics, and platform technologies targeting unmet medical needs.

Dr. Okaz earned his Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Germany and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford’s Systems Biology Department. During this time, he made significant contributions to the understanding of molecular mechanisms governing chromosome segregation, cell fate determination, and cell cycle reprogramming. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as Cell, Developmental Cell, Current Biology, and The Journal of Neuroscience.

Kinnus Paul is a Senior Program Manager on the Economic Mobility team, leading our workforce development portfolio with a focus on building and skilled trades. Kinnus joined the team to lead, support and inform the Motor City Contractor Fund, a program designed to equip Detroit and minority-owned construction firms with the resources and training needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

A lifelong Detroiter and graduate of Detroit Northwestern High school, Kinnus has over 13 years of experience in talent pipelining, small business support and program management specific to skilled trades. Supporting Detroiters as an ecosystem partner is his personal and professional mission. This passion motivates Kinnus to be the change he wants to see in the community he loves.

Caroline Poole oversees the logistics and behind-the-scenes work of the grantmaking process at the Gilbert Family Foundation. As the Grants & Operations Manager, she supports the Economic Mobility team in executing projects that create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city, invest in small businesses and skills training, and build economic opportunity for Detroit residents. Caroline’s work is also focused on supporting our Curing NF team, where she collaborates with scientists to manage research projects for the foundation’s Vision Restoration Initiative.

She comes to the Gilbert Family Foundation with years of experience in the nonprofit industry. Previously, she served as the Communications & Strategic Initiatives Manager at Global Ties Detroit, where she was responsible for leading projects to improve the organization’s infrastructure and outreach.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing from Michigan State University, and an M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.

Kayleigh Roy is the Director of Grants and Operations at the Gilbert Family Foundation. She oversees the day-to-day and long-term operational planning for both the Gilbert Family Foundation and NF Forward, a nonprofit founded by the Gilberts. In addition to leading the Grants and Operations team, Kayleigh works closely with team members, leaders, and grantees to cultivate and maintain strong partnerships across the Curing NF and Building Opportunity and Equity pillars of the foundation.

Previously, Kayleigh served in an operations and grants management role at the Quicken Loans Community Fund (now Rocket Community Fund). Prior to joining the Family of Companies, she supported urban development research at the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Kayleigh graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture with a degree in Urban and Environmental Planning.

Andrea Scobie serves as the Senior Program Manager on the Arts and Culture team.  She has spent her 20-year career in a wide variety of roles in the Detroit arts space, and has worked as an arts educator, administrator, performer, producer, and director at arts and cultural organizations of all sizes and types, including serving as the Director of Education at Matrix Theatre Company for nearly a decade.

Prior to joining the Gilbert Family Foundation, Andrea was the Director of Education at Detroit Opera where she led all programming. She was responsible for connecting more than 25,000 Detroit residents of all ages with music, theatre, and dance experiences annually. Andrea collaborated with artists, educators, civic leaders, K-12 schools, universities, nonprofits, and community organizations across all sectors, building partnerships and programs to bring the arts out of the Opera House and into Detroit neighborhoods.

As an arts educator, Andrea has worked with young people ages 5-18 to create over 100 new plays and musicals that reflect their own experiences and concerns. She believes deeply in the power of the arts to transform individuals and communities. Andrea holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from Oakland University.

Mar Paricio Sunyer is the Senior Operations Manager at the Gilbert Family Foundation, working hand-in-hand with the Grants and Operations team to manage daily operations of the Gilbert Family Foundation and its sister nonprofit, NF Forward.

Mar has held many roles at the Gilbert Family Foundation, and has extensive experience working across all aspects of the organization: from grant management to website coding, working with Salesforce, and executing silent and live auctions.

Mar joined the Gilbert Family Foundation in 2019, shortly after graduating from Clemson University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership.

JJ Velez is the Director of Public Space at the Gilbert Family Foundation, leading projects and partnerships in service of our mission to elevate public spaces – including the beautification of public parks, engaging public activations and sustainable public art. Prior to joining the organization in 2020, JJ served as the Deputy Director of the City of Detroit’s Parks & Recreation Department.

In his current role, JJ brings unbridled enthusiasm and positive energy to elevate our community engagement and create robust, out-of-the-box partnerships. He has an appreciative grasp of the critical role that quality programming – especially sports and after school – has had on his own life’s trajectory. He remains committed to making a positive impact in his community, both by creating access to public spaces for the community to connect, and through his extensive volunteer efforts.

Dr. Poornima Venkat is a Scientific Program Manager on the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Curing NF Team, and leads the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Brain Tumor Initiative. With a decade of experience in developing novel therapeutic approaches to improve disease outcomes, she is dedicated to transforming patient care and enhancing healthcare outcomes, particularly for those with unmet needs.

Previously, Dr. Venkat held a joint appointment as an Assistant Scientist/Professor in the Department of Neurology at Henry Ford Health, and the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University. She has served as the Principal Investigator on multiple studies funded by the National Institute of Aging, American Heart Association, nonprofit foundations, and has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies to develop neuroprotective and restorative treatments for stroke and vascular dementia.

Dr. Venkat graduated from Anna University in India with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Oakland University, Michigan, and completed her post-doctoral training in Neurology at Henry Ford Health, Michigan.

Dr. Kalyan Vinnakota serves as the Director of Curing NF at the Gilbert Family Foundation, leading a team of experts to help accelerate a cure and viable therapies for neurofibromatosis type 1. Dr. Vinnakota oversees foundational Curing NF programs including our Gene Therapy, Vision Restoration, Brain Tumor, and Next Generation NF1 Models initiatives. He also serves as the Program Officer for the Vision Restoration Initiative, supporting cutting edge research in retinal ganglion cell protection, regeneration, and replacement for restoring vision in patients with vision loss due to NF1-associated optic pathway gliomas.

Dr. Vinnakota earned his PhD in Computational Bioengineering from the University of Washington, which was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in Quantitative Biology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Before joining the Gilbert Family Foundation, he served as the Principal Research Engineer for Computational Physiology and Pharmacology at CFD Research Corporation in Alabama. Prior to this role, Dr. Vinnakota was a research scientist at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine in support of the Department of Defense Biotechnology HPC Software Applications Institute, and previously held a research track assistant professorship in Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan.

His major scientific contributions are in the areas of computational modeling of biochemical pathways and cellular transport processes. Dr. Vinnakota has developed computational and experimental approaches to investigate a wide range of research problems including regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, localization and mobility of Ras proteins, prediction of compound toxicity markers, and pharmacokinetics of small molecule therapeutics in translational models.

Paris Wilson serves as the Senior Program Manager on the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Detroit Community Initiatives team. A proud Detroit native, Paris has a decade of experience in nonprofit management, grant management, program design, and implementation. His dedication to doing good for others empowers him to serve as a catalyst for meaningful impact and positive change for Detroit residents.

Prior to joining the Gilbert Family Foundation, Paris was a Grant Specialist at the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, where he led initiatives and a steward of federal funds to help end homelessness in Baltimore City. Additionally, he worked directly with nonprofit partners and grant recipients, where he evaluated programs and administered compliance training in order to drive forward their mission.

A proud alumnus of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations & Policy, Paris also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore. Now back in his hometown, he is committed to championing the causes that matter most to Detroiters, from tax foreclosure relief to eviction prevention and probate assistance.

Dan Gilbert is Founder and Chairman of Rocket Companies, which went public on August 6, 2020. He is also Founder and Chairman of Rocket Mortgage (formerly Quicken Loans), the nation’s largest mortgage lender; Founder and Chairman of the Rock Family of Companies, a portfolio of technology businesses and real estate investments; and Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship. The Rock Family of Companies and its more than 100 affiliated companies across the country employ more than 30,000 team members, including more than 17,000 in Detroit’s urban core.

From 2013 through 2018, Detroit-based Quicken Loans closed nearly half a trillion dollars in home loan volume across all 50 states, and in 2019, for the tenth consecutive year, earned J.D. Power’s highest rating for client satisfaction among all U.S. mortgage lenders.

Dan is also an active investor in fintech, sports-related and consumer direct companies. Dan is a Founder and Principal of Detroit Venture Partners (DVP), a venture capital firm that funds startup and early-stage technology companies and a Founding Partner of Detroit-based private equity group Rockbridge Growth Equity.

In February 2016, Dan co-founded Detroit-based StockX, the world’s first ‘stock market of things’, combining the visible, liquid, anonymous, and transparent benefits of a stock market with the online consumer secondary market.

Dan began moving his Family of Companies to Detroit’s central business district in 2010 in an effort to help lead the transformation of a great American city. In 2011, Dan co-founded Detroit-based Bedrock, a full-service real estate firm specializing in acquiring, leasing, financing, and managing commercial and residential space. Since its founding, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties, including new construction of ground up developments in downtown Detroit and Cleveland, totaling more than 18 million square feet.

Dan serves on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic and the Children’s Tumor Foundation. In 2015, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert established the Gilbert Family Foundation and in 2017, formed NF Forward to fund cutting-edge research dedicated to finding a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF).

Dan earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Wayne State University.

Jennifer Gilbert is Director and Board Member of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT). She is also Founder of Detroit-based design studio POPHOUSE.

With more than 20 years of experience in interior design, Jennifer brings her expertise in leading the commercial design firm that specializes in utilizing data and industry research to provide strategic, unconventional, and human-centric design for clients across a broad spectrum of industries.

In 2015, Jennifer founded Amber Engine, a home furnishings services and solutions technology company which was sold to Material Bank in 2022. Prior to Amber Engine, Jennifer founded Doodle Home, a digital platform for residential interior designers. Doodle Home was sold to Dering Hall in 2015.

In addition to her business interests, Jennifer is an active member of a number of nonprofits focused on the arts and finding a cure for Neurofibromatosis (also known as NF). In 2015, she and her husband Dan established the Gilbert Family Foundation and, in 2017, formed NF Forward, to fund cutting-edge research dedicated to finding a cure for neurofibromatosis, where Jennifer serves as President.

In addition to the Gilbert Family Foundation’s work with NF, they are also committed to building opportunity for Detroit residents who face systemic barriers to economic and social mobility.

In 2015, Jennifer founded the Detroit Art Collection to beautify and inspire public spaces and structures in downtown Detroit with sculptural and mixed media works from both local and national artists, galleries, and dealers. Jennifer is also a board member of BasBlue Detroit and serves as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and holds an honorary doctorate in Business from Michigan State University. The Gilberts reside in the Detroit area. They have five children.