2024 Alumni Difference Makers

Distinguished Alum of the Year

Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, ’96 B.S., has been a practicing OBGYN in New York for over 20 years, with a steadfast mission to empower and educate women. Dreaming of being a doctor since she was five years old, she recognized that her future would be to advance healthcare. Recently, Sadaf started a concierge medical practice in New York and a telehealth practice for patients in Michigan. As founder and CEO of Femme Vie Health, she assists patients in all aspects of female health, while focusing on sexual and menopausal health as well as intimacy coaching. Sadaf, a TEDx speaker, believes all women, regardless of their backgrounds, have the potential to live life to its fullest.

As a board-certified OBGYN, Sadaf expanded her expertise by becoming a sexual health specialist and earning certification from Rutgers University as an executive coach. After graduating with honors from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a bachelor of science in biochemistry, she obtained a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University and completed her residency in gynecology and obstetrics in the state of Michigan.

Sadaf is also a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and an International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Fellow. She also holds a certificate in sexuality counseling and sexuality education from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Sadaf has been a Board examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of OBGYNs since 2008 and a representative of the Diversity Committee for the North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Sadaf is very focused on the impact of cultural expectations and the emotional stress that can come with them. She hosts the international Muslim Sex Podcast that is broadcast worldwide with more than 130 episodes focusing on the birds, the bees, and everything in between. For Sadaf, there is no guest shaming, no judgment, and no topic is taboo. In 2022, her podcast welcomed UM-Dearborn’s Chancellor Domenico Grasso, focusing on the importance of education and what her UM-Dearborn education meant for her.

Sadaf is a vocal champion for UM-Dearborn wherever she goes. In addition to her support at Michigan alumni events in New York City, she recently assumed an alumni volunteer leadership role for the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus. In this capacity, she will represent UM-Dearborn on the Look to Michigan Campaign Leadership Council, which aims to support funding priorities across campus and directly benefit UM-Dearborn’s diverse student body. 
 

Alumni Business of the Year

Shatila Bakery was founded by Riad Shatila in 1979 in Dearborn, Michigan. Immigrating from Beirut, Lebanon in the 1970s, Riad started with a small retail shop on Warren Road, a few employees, and a dream of providing authentic Mediterranean sweets. 

In the late 1990s, after years of passion and dedication, Riad Shatila moved his small bakery into a larger establishment and opened a large manufacturing and shipping department, shipping nationally and worldwide. To reward his hard work and constant efforts, Riad received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1995 from the Arab Chaldean Council for his contributions to the community and expansion of the business, which became a Dearborn landmark. He accepted the award with his wife, Zeinat Shatila, who always supported his business endeavors, by his side.

After Mr. Shatila's passing in 2013, his family, including his daughters, UM-Dearborn alumnae, Nada Shatila, ’11 B.A.,’16 M.B.A., and Tanya Shatila, ’15 B.A., took over as the new owners of the business. They continue to grow the business and honor their dad’s legacy. 

Today, Shatila Bakery has expanded to also include a location in West Bloomfield and Dearborn Heights. They have been the recipient of many accolades, such as being crowned Saveur Magazine’s Best Ice Cream in America, Vote 4 the Best’s #1 Middle Eastern Bakery in 2014 and 2016, The Wall Street Journal’s America’s Best Baklava, and a 2024 semi-finalist for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Bakery category. They have been featured in Bon Appetit magazine and were recognized in Food & Wine’s “The 100 Best Bakeries in America.” Shatila Bakery was also featured in INSIDERS’s “50 Famous Foods you should try in your lifetime.”

Graduate of the Last Decade Alum of the Year

Jagruti Dhande, ’20 M.S.E., is a trailblazer in sustainable mobility with impressive credentials. She earned her master’s in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she was a non-resident International Graduate Student Scholar. As an International Student Ambassador on campus, Jagruti directly contributed to the university community by guiding prospective students, showcasing facilities, and mentoring peers.

At Rivian Automotive, Jagruti is the technical program manager and has made a significant impact in the automotive industry by leading the body closures subsystems for electric vehicle programs like the electric delivery van, R1S (SUV), and R1T (pickup). She oversees timing, cost, quality, and design, using strategic thinking and a data-driven approach to streamline processes, resolve critical issues, reduce program costs, and spearhead the successful launch of the electric delivery van. Early in her career, she implemented a full-suite ERP system.

Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Jagruti actively engages in community service and professional development initiatives. She demonstrates a commitment to empowering others and fostering growth by serving as a mentor, judge, and volunteer for organizations like DECA (which prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for college and careers), Skills USA (a workforce development organization for students), and LEAP Canada (who equip students with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary). Jagruti’s contributions extend globally, as evidenced by her involvement with the International Career Expo and various public lectures.

In addition to her technical expertise, Jagruti is a published author, sought-after speaker, judge, and project management voice on LinkedIn. She is a passionate advocate for STEM education, using her energy and commitment to innovation to shape the future of sustainable transportation.
 

Alumni Service Award

Daniell Patterson, ’90 B.S.A., a partner at Fenner Melstrom & Dooling, PLC, and a licensed CPA in Michigan, has over 33 years of public accounting experience. He specializes in assisting entrepreneurial, privately-held businesses with accounting, tax, and business consulting needs. His deep industry expertise spans manufacturing and dealerships (auto/truck, motorcycle/motorsports, construction equipment, and marine), and various other industries.

In addition to business services, Dan advises clients on personal tax matters, including income tax, estate tax, and business transition/succession planning. He has significant experience representing clients in business acquisitions and disposals on both the buy-side and sell-side.

Dan is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Here at UM-Dearborn, Dan is a past member of the UM-Dearborn Alumni Society Board, and his leadership and strategic insights have been invaluable in shaping the direction of alumni engagement initiatives at UM-Dearborn. His active participation in our alumni/student mentoring programs reflects his genuine desire to guide and empower the next generation of leaders. Through his mentorship, Dan provides invaluable support to students, helping them navigate academic and professional challenges with confidence.

Dan's commitment to student success extends beyond mentorship; he actively supports scholarships and champions opportunities for students to thrive academically and professionally including hiring recent graduates. He consistently attends alumni events and initiatives, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to fostering a vibrant and connected alumni community.

Dan's impact extends far beyond his individual contributions; he serves as a catalyst for positive change within the UM-Dearborn community and the Metro Detroit area. His partnership with UM-Dearborn was recognized in 2020 when our campus and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Metro Detroit honored Dan as a National Philanthropy Day honoree, underscoring his deep-seated pride in his alma mater.
 

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Alum of the Year

Eric Nemeth, ’85 B.A., a partner leading Varnum’s Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team, has extensive experience in tax law, civil and criminal matters, and complex financial investigations. Eric excels in organizing technical defenses for investigations and conducting proactive fraud investigations for suspected embezzlement or theft. He represents businesses, individuals, and entities in IRS, FBI, Homeland Security, and other law-enforcement investigations.

His prior government roles include senior trial lawyer for IRS Chief Counsel and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, where he received multiple performance awards. He served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate, providing legal support for criminal investigations and civil tax examinations. 

Eric is a regular visiting professor, lecturer, and author, recognized with numerous peer awards. His honors include being named DBusiness© magazine’s Top Lawyers in Tax Law since 2011, Best Lawyers in America® since 2012 and Lawyer of the Year in 2022, and induction into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame in 2024, among many others. 

His professional affiliations include the American Bar Association and the Detroit Veterans Bar Association. He is also involved in community activities, serving as a Trustee of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law and Walsh College.

Eric and his wife Paula (‘85 B.A., Teach.Cert.) have been long-time supporters of UM-Dearborn. They have hosted UM-Dearborn alumni events in their home and established multiple scholarships supporting funds across campus. Eric has mentored students and represented the alumni voice at many alumni and university events, including sitting on the most recent Chancellor Search Advisory Committee. Over the years, Eric has also served in many leadership positions, including co-chair for the Victors for Michigan Campaign and member of the CASL Dean’s Advisory Board.

College of Business Alum of the Year

Adelaide Prendushi, ’05 B.B.A., ’16 M.S., is the senior area manager of local government and community affairs for ITC Holdings Corp. She develops and implements strategy in southeastern Michigan, fostering relationships with communities and local officials while advancing ITC's philanthropic priorities through partnerships with charitable organizations. Before this role, Adelaide held leadership positions in IT and is a certified project management professional. 

Adelaide serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Eight Mile Boulevard Association, Advancing Women in Energy, Community Foundation of Monroe, and the River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation. She is also the founder of Mission You, a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty domestically and internationally. Since its inception in early 2020, Mission You has helped over a dozen families in need, including building a home for a disabled family in Albania, Adelaide’s birth country.

While at UM-Dearborn, Adelaide was an active member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and participated in the Victors for Michigan fundraising campaign. She has been a champion for UM-Dearborn through her work in promoting programs to current students and appearing in promotional videos for campus. Adelaide has also partnered with UM-Dearborn to increase recruitment and engagement between campus and ITC.

Adelaide earned an M.B.A. from Wayne State University and served as the vice president of the Wayne State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. She is a Leadership Detroit Class 40 alumna and was selected for Oakland County's 2019 40 Under 40 class. Adelaide also holds the honor of being named one of Michigan’s 2021 Most Valuable Millennials by Corp! Magazine. Recently, Adelaide became a Harvard Business School alumna by completing the Program for Leadership Development. She is an active member of the HBS Women's Association and serves as an Alumni Career Guide volunteer.

College of Education, Health, and Human Services Alum of the Year

Kamara Gardner, ’21 B.A., is dedicated to serving marginalized communities and advocating for equity in public health through her personal and professional endeavors. While at UM-Dearborn, she held leadership roles in the Black Student Union, Mental Health and Wellness Peer Mentor Program, University Unions and Events team, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Kamara was also awarded the distinguished title of UM-Dearborn student Difference Maker in 2020. These experiences helped cultivate her leadership skills, bolster inclusivity, and enhance peer well-being. 

Raised in Redford and Novi, Michigan, Kamara developed a passion for mental health and public health. After leaving UM-Dearborn, she obtained a master’s in public health degree with a certificate in injury science at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, solidifying her commitment to public health and social justice.

Currently, Kamara is a mental health project manager at the University of Michigan, where she manages projects to create a holistic, public health-informed mental health delivery system. Her work integrates services, breaks down departmental silos, and develops programming to improve student mental health. Previously, she was assistant program coordinator at the Wayne County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Unit, leading initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, elevated lead levels in public drinking water, and severe weather events.

In her spare time, Kamara advances the values of the UM-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services by volunteering with local mental health nonprofits, such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She is dedicated to improving lives, promoting health equity, and enhancing mental health and well-being. Kamara aims to create safe, accessible, and sustainable spaces for overlooked identities, advocating for public health holistically.

College of Engineering and Computer Science Alum of the Year

May Russell, ’98 B.S., is a seasoned technology executive and digital and IT corporate officer known for delivering digital transformations and creating digital products. Currently, she is the chief digital transformation executive at Toyota Motor, where she is responsible for revolutionizing the enterprise for the future.

Prior to Toyota, May served as the chief digital and information officer at Fortune Brands, overseeing digital transformation, connected product engineering, cyber security, data and AI, IT simplification, and operations. She holds a pending patent in smart home IoT digital access technologies.

May spent 20 years at Ford Motor Company, culminating as chief technology officer of Ford Cloud Commercial Solution and global head of Connected Vehicle Services. She built a global software engineering organization of over 2,000 engineers and founded the Ventilator Exchange Software, a AI-based ventilator logistics software during COVID-19 in collaboration with FEMA, the American Hospital Association, and the White House.

Earlier, she led Ford's Global Delivery of consumer-facing products, including the FordPass app, growing the team to over 1,000 engineers and achieving top app ratings. Her diverse global experience includes leading teams in Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe.

A strong advocate for increasing women's participation in technology, May serves as the chief mission officer for K-12 at the Michigan Council of Women in Technology. She has founded programs such as "Girls Rock IT" and "Girls Solve IT" to inspire and engage girls in technology, including hackathons and robotics competitions.

May serves on the board of GreenPath Financial Innovations and has previously served as the co-chair of the Visiting Committee for UM-Dearborn’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. May is also a past member of the UM-Dearborn Alumni Society Board. May holds an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.