{"id":21877,"date":"2017-12-11T15:17:38","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T15:17:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?post_type=blogpost&p=21877"},"modified":"2017-12-11T15:17:38","modified_gmt":"2017-12-11T15:17:38","slug":"fellow-spotlight-emma-ottenhoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/challengedetroit.builtrare.com\/blog\/fellow-spotlight-emma-ottenhoff\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellow Spotlight: Emma Ottenhoff"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us about one of your favorite neighborhoods in Detroit and what makes it unique? <\/b><\/p>\n

I spend a lot of my time in different neighborhoods on the East side of Detroit, but there is a special place in my heart for the Grandmont neighborhood on the West side where I worked at an elementary-middle school last year. \u00a0The relationships I formed with the residents and families in this neighborhood have left a lasting impression on me of compassion, strength, resilience, and community. \u00a0I became familiar with many of the local restaurants, shops, and public spaces in the area and it was always a very welcoming, community-oriented place. \u00a0I recently attended the Grandmont-Rosedale SOUP event, which also showcased the business development, community involvement, and overall growth directed by the citizens.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your first challenge project of the year, what did you learn from the experience? <\/strong><\/p>\n

The first challenge project partnered with Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and sought to maximize equitable development for small businesses in Detroit. My team focused on supporting business owners that had significant barriers to opening their doors or had already closed shop. \u00a0Through several interviews with business owners and community stakeholders, I learned that a few of the biggest barriers to starting a business in the city of Detroit include overcoming piles of paperwork, gaining access to city resources such as permits, and having the financial knowledge to keep accurate books. \u00a0While the business owners we spoke with didn\u2019t have a formal background in business, they had an overwhelming passion for their field, which helped to fuel them while facing obstacles. \u00a0I learned how vital it is to seek help and resources when needed, and that Detroit is uniquely collaborative in the entrepreneurial landscape.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization. <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

My host company is Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit and I work in the finance department. \u00a0Since I do not have a finance background whatsoever, working in finance has allowed me to learn new things every day and really diversify my skill set. There is a wide range of projects I work on with Goodwill. One overarching project is writing a process and procedural manual for the department, which has helped me to really learn accounting processes hands-on. \u00a0Working in the finance department of a nonprofit organization also means I have the opportunity to see a big-picture view of our operations, such as a glimpse into the programs and initiatives that we run for people with employment challenges. For example, a person in our Flip the Script program (a mentoring and job-training program) may need assistance with buying interview clothes, so we would write them a check. \u00a0Seeing things like that go through on a daily basis has been a very fulfilling part of working with Goodwill.<\/p>\n

We asked Emma’s colleagues to share a bit more about her work at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit and here’s what they said. <\/em><\/p>\n

Our current Challenge Detroit Fellow, Emma Ottenhoff, has brought a breath of fresh air into the stuffy backrooms of Goodwill of Greater Detroit\u2019s Accounting Department. She is bright, inquisitive, and engaging, approaching each task (no matter how trivial) with verve and vigor. For not having any background in accounting or finance, she has taken on a task that, when complete, will provide her with a well-rounded understanding of the entire accounting and finance functions. Emma is working on producing a process and procedure manual for the Accounting Department. The project will have her looking at and evaluating all department functions and documenting the processes that make them work. Emma is also compiling information on the impact of educational training opportunities for individuals considered to be functionally illiterate, with the goal of understanding the impact of improvement in literacy on subsequent generations. In addition, she has become an integral part of our employee engagement initiative providing a much need morale boost for all our staff. Emma\u2019s presence and her abilities provide us the opportunity to address issues that, in the normal course of our business, are difficult to tackle. We feel privileged to have her as a part of our team. –\u00a0Ryamond Byers, VP of Finance, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city? <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"In alignment with Goodwill\u2019s mission and the work that they do, I hope to be a small part of supporting the people that need employment assistance in our community.\u00a0 Goodwill strategically supports returning citizens and individuals with developmental disabilities by providing wrap-around services and workforce development programs. \u00a0Researching the best ways to support these populations has been a very purposeful task I\u2019ve been working on with Goodwill. \u00a0In my own personal life, I hope to increase the impact of other organizations by attending events and supporting community initiatives already underway in Detroit.<\/p>\n

What are you most looking forward to in Detroit in 2018? <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"I\u2019m looking forward to being an active participant in different organizations and social networks across the city. \u00a0I\u2019m particularly interested in supporting missions driven towards mental health, community development, and sustainability. \u00a0Goodwill\u2019s Green Works is an industrial recycling subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. Green Works focuses on asset recovery and recycling waste metals. \u00a0They recycle replacement power lines from DTE, used refrigerators, and other products and sell the materials on the salvage market as commodities. \u00a0Green Works\u2019 operation and revenue opens opportunities for Goodwill to train individuals through our workforce development programs. \u00a0Green Works also hosts a program called Detroit Dirt. \u00a0Detroit Dirt is run by Pashon Murray and works on waste recovery and reuse in order to create a more sustainable and rich environmental ecosystem in Detroit. \u00a0I am really looking forward to keeping tabs on Greenworks and Detroit Dirt\u2019s next steps and being a part of it in any way that I can. \u00a0Other than that, I\u2019m excited about spring and summer and spending time outside at Belle Isle, other local parks, and on the Detroit River.<\/p>\n

How do you believe your fellowship will shape your career moving forward? <\/b><\/p>\n

I have already grown so much by being a part of the fellowship. \u00a0I\u2019m constantly honing new skills in finance and community engagement. \u00a0To be able to broaden my skill set has been really exciting because it opens doors for the possibilities to come. \u00a0Additionally, we always have a chance to meet, listen to, and engage with many influential people working across all different sectors of Detroit. \u00a0To be able to expand my network has reaped benefits in both developing my perspective and making connections with many people and projects.<\/p>\n

To see even more of Emma’s experiences in Detroit so far, check out her spotlight video.<\/p>\n