Leadership Team & Board

Meet the people helping guide Melvindale Thrive Initiative, build our programs, strengthen our partnerships, and turn community ideas into action. Our Board members serve in a volunteer capacity and bring different skills, experiences, and community connections to the organization.

Our Board and leadership team bring a range of professional experience, community knowledge, creativity, public service, and volunteer commitment to Melvindale Thrive Initiative. Each serves in a volunteer capacity and contributes to the organization’s programs, development, governance, and community partnerships.

Jennifer E. Justice — Founder, President & Executive Director
Organizational Leadership, Administration & Development
Jennifer E. Justice is the Founder and President of Melvindale Thrive Initiative and serves as the organization’s primary organizational and program-development lead. She coordinates MTI’s 24 organizational pillars, program development, grant research and writing, funding strategy, partnerships, volunteer and intern development, organizational planning, and coordination among program and project leaders. Jennifer is also the Founder and Administrator of Downriver Vibe Tribe and previously served as a Melvindale Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Her professional background includes administrative and management work with Henry Ford Health/Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, progressing from Unit Secretary to Department Secretary to DME Customer Service Manager, as well as independent tax preparation and bookkeeping. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Business Management from Northwood University, both earned magna cum laude.

Rose Hageb — Secretary
Board Governance & Organizational Records
Rose Hageb serves as Secretary of Melvindale Thrive Initiative and is a community volunteer and board officer. Her role includes supporting the organization’s governance and recordkeeping responsibilities, including maintaining board minutes, resolutions, officer and board information, and other important organizational records. Her administrative experience as a receptionist contributes to the organization’s communication, documentation, and day-to-day organizational support.

Nicole Shkira — Treasurer
Financial Oversight, Economic Development & Capital Projects
Nicole Shkira serves as Treasurer of Melvindale Thrive Initiative and brings extensive local-government and community-leadership experience to the Board. She currently serves as Mayor of Melvindale and previously served eight years on the Melvindale City Council. In addition to her Treasurer responsibilities, Nicole serves as MTI’s Capital Project Coordinator and Development Lead for Economic Development, Redevelopment & Community Revitalization. Her work includes helping coordinate planning and development for the proposed Performing Arts & Community Resource Center/Community Hub and working with MTI’s economic-development and community-hub initiatives. Her public-service affiliation is listed for experience and identification purposes and does not represent governmental sponsorship of MTI.

Edward Cardinal — Board Member
Food Donation & Distribution Coordinator
Edward Cardinal is a retired community volunteer who serves on the MTI Board and coordinates food donation and distribution efforts. His responsibilities include helping organize food-donation pickups, distribution operations, community partnerships, program documentation, and related food-access support. His role helps MTI develop a dependable system for connecting donated food and essential resources with local residents and families.

Wendy Stull-Hursin — Board Member
Youth Arts & Creative Programming
Wendy Stull-Hursin is a local creative instructor, community volunteer, and supporter of MTI’s youth arts and creative-learning programs. She brings hands-on creative experience to the organization and helps support opportunities that introduce children and families to art, creativity, and community-based enrichment activities.

Michelle Stone — Board Member
Farmers Market Coordinator & Community Programs
Michelle Stone is retired from The Guidance Center, where she worked in the Children’s Department. She is also an Administrator of Downriver Vibe Tribe, a community volunteer, and a creative-program instructor. Michelle serves as MTI’s Farmers Market Coordinator, helping plan, develop, organize, and eventually operate the Melvindale Farmers Market as part of the organization’s food-security, nutrition, and local-food-system work. Her background working with children and families, combined with her community involvement and creative-program experience, brings valuable practical experience to MTI’s programming.

Gabrielle Jefferson — Board Member
Community Leadership & Support
Gabrielle Jefferson serves as a volunteer member of the Melvindale Thrive Initiative Board of Directors. She contributes to the organization’s overall governance, community work, and continued development. As MTI continues expanding its programs and leadership structure, a specific program or organizational area may be assigned based on her interests, experience, and the organization’s needs.