Meet the Team

Jerry Davis is the Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker Professor of Business Administration at the Ross School of Business and Professor of Sociology, The University of Michigan. Davis received his PhD from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. Davis’s research is broadly concerned with the corporation as a social and economic vehicle. His current book project examines corporate power in the 21st century, and how to tame it.

In her role as managing director of the Business+Impact Initiative, Cat leads the team in their work across the school and the University to develop and support impact-related activities. Her career spans nonprofit, social enterprise, and higher education leadership, with a focus in workforce development. Prior to joining the Business+Impact team, Cat was Chief Operating Officer at Detroit-based social enterprise Empowerment Plan. She has also worked previously at the Ross School of Business on social enterprise and social innovation programming, and with social enterprises in the U.S. and around the world. Catherine earned a BA, MBA, and MSW from the University of Michigan.

CEO & President, World Environment Center; President, Michigan Sustainability Associates; Research Advisor/Instructor, Harvard University
Neil Hawkins has spent a career collaborating to define a positive and impactful role for business in global sustainable development and public policy. For 31 years, he was a key leader at Dow, ultimately serving as Chief Sustainability Officer and CVP, Environment, Health, & Safety for the last twelve years – part of the top leadership of the company. After Dow, as President of Michigan’s Erb Family Foundation, a $350mm regional philanthropy, he focused over four years on improving regional arts, the Great Lakes ecosystem, promoting environmental justice, and founding the Sustainable Business Network of Detroit. Currently, he is interim CEO and President of the World Environment Center, a leading global sustainable business association in Washington, DC; President, Michigan Sustainability Associates; and Research Advisor/Instructor at Harvard University in the Master of Sustainability program. He graduated from Harvard University with a Doctor of Science in Public Health (Environmental Health Sciences) and is also an alumnus of Georgia Tech (Health Physics/Nuclear Engineering).

Felix Kabo is CannonDesign’s firmwide Director of Research and Development (R&D). Trained as an architect and researcher with a design-thinking orientation, he has led interdisciplinary research organizations, teams, and projects spanning both industry and academia. His work examines the societal impacts of the built environment using systems approaches—particularly spatial–social (spatiosocial) analysis—to study complex, interconnected challenges involving collaboration, innovation, health, and entrepreneurship. Felix earned his PhD in Architecture from the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School.

As the Program & Strategic Initiatives Manager, Annaliese manages all aspects of the Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Program and other strategic initiatives central to the work of B+I. With a background in both the nonprofit and education sectors, Annaliese is dedicated to designing impactful experiences and building meaningful partnerships. She earned her dual B.A. in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Central Michigan University and is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP). Annaliese is currently working toward her M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Michigan.

As the Impact Studio Program Specialist, Erica manages various programmatic aspects of the Impact Studio, such as the Impact Studio Founders and Applebaum Design Fellowship Programs, and fosters continued partnerships with key partners across the U-M entrepreneurial ecosystem. Erica brings several years of experience in program and project management working for nonprofits and local businesses. She received her B.A. in English, Sociology and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan.

Innovator-in-Residence Moses Lee (BBA’02, MA’03) is an experienced educator and social entrepreneur who is passionate about working with students to discover and take action on their passions. In 2011, Lee founded Seelio, an educational service and technology company that partners with universities to prepare students for their careers. Previously, Lee directed TechArb, the U of M student startup accelerator, where he coached and mentored students across all disciplines.

Christie Ayotte Baer leads B+I’s largest program, the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP), a first-in-the-nation program that connects U-M student talent with Detroit business owners across 7 U-M schools. She is a serial entrepreneur, recovering attorney, and trained mediator. Prior to DNEP’s relocation to the Ross School of Business, Christie served as the assistant director of the University of Michigan Ford School’s Center on Finance, Law & Policy for seven years. She earned her JD from Emory University School of Law and holds a BA in Sociology from Smith College.

Formerly a Loan Officer at ProsperUs Detroit, Siobhan provided microloans to minority entrepreneurs in Detroit. Siobhan is recognized for her proactive role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing community building and collaboration. With a background as a senior mortgage banker at Rocket Mortgage and experience in founding businesses, including Siobhan Barrett Lingerie, she brings a decade of entrepreneurship insight. Siobhan’s empathetic approach, combined with a deep understanding of Detroit’s entrepreneurial landscape, positions her to connect entrepreneurs with resources in her role at DNEP. Based at the U-M Detroit Center, she is eager to support economic growth by fostering connections and partnerships throughout Detroit’s community.

Glenn manages marketing and communications for Business+Impact. He has worked with a variety of local and national nonprofits in member services, events and marketing roles. He worked for Ross in Executive Education and Ross Marketing Communications prior to coming to the Business + Impact. His work with nonprofits like the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Microsoft Healthcare Users Group, the Ann Arbor Symphony, and Ann Arbor Civic Theater has prepared him for the diverse offerings of the initiative and the marketing channels utilized. Glenn has an MFA from Purdue and a BA from the University of Michigan.

As the Board Fellows Program Specialist, Maricella coordinates student programming for the Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Program and supports additional initiatives that advance social impact. She brings experience in higher education programming, event and project coordination, and communications, grounded in a student-centered approach and a commitment to equity and belonging. Guided by her values of education, social justice, and community, Maricella partners with students, faculty, and nonprofit leaders to deliver action-based learning experiences, and supports program assessment through data tracking and reporting. She earned a B.A.A. and an M.A. from Central Michigan University.

Carrie serves as the Program Coordinator for Business + Impact, where she supports the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of B+I programming and events. With a background in Social Work and several years at Michigan Medicine, Carrie has worked within complex organizations, supporting multidisciplinary programs, and helping to create inclusive environments. She is passionate about translating big-picture strategy into thoughtful, well-executed programs that create meaningful impact for people and communities. Carrie is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Business + Impact mission.

Ruedee serves as the Administrative Coordinator to the Business+Impact Team as part of the Administrative Core Team. She provides support for various Business+Impact programming, events, and financial coordination. Ruedee was educated in Thailand and England. She has been involved in various initiatives in numerous countries before relocating and joining the Ross School of Business in her present role.