2025 Alumni Difference Makers
Distinguished Alum of the Year
Reda Taleb, ‘05 BA, is a proud native Detroiter and daughter of Lebanese Muslim immigrants, recognized for her transformative leadership in social justice, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship. With 15 years of nonprofit experience, Reda is the founder and CEO of Dream Catcher Innovations™, serving clients nationwide in nonprofit development, program and strategy design, fundraising, DEI advocacy, and movement building. She is also a decarceration advocate, certified trauma-informed healing justice facilitator, children’s book author, and spoken word poet.
Reda’s grassroots servant leadership bridges decarceration, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. She is nationally recognized for her children’s book series, “Ordinary People with Extraordinary Superpowers,” which centers the Arab and Muslim family experience with incarceration, uplifting often-marginalized voices. Her book tour led to her recognition as keynote speaker for the National Education Association’s Minority and Women’s Leadership Seminars.
Reda’s entrepreneurial impact is reflected in her service at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she is a dedicated collaborator, alumna, and advocate. As program coordinator for Dearborn WORKS—a partnership with the Arab American Women’s Business Council and the City of Dearborn—Reda helped secure a $1 million U.S. Department of Labor grant. She played a key role in designing and launching the initiative, which provides workforce training, mentorship, and seed funding for Arab American and immigrant women. She also created and led the “She Means Business” Pitch Competition at UM-Dearborn’s College of Business, coaching participants and ensuring wrap-around services for their growth.
Her UM-Dearborn commitment includes leading workshops, mentorship, and being featured as an alumni spotlight, helping foster connections among students and the Metro Detroit community. Reda continues to champion Arab and Muslim representation, hosting voter registration and civic engagement drives like “Count MENA Communities!” during Arab American Heritage Month and “My Muslim Vote” on campus.
Beyond UM-Dearborn, Reda’s leadership with the Arab American Women’s Business Council has brought vital resources to hundreds of small business owners—including youth leadership initiatives and cross-industry partnerships, most notably with the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. She is active in policy advocacy statewide and nationally, collaborating on legislative efforts such as Michigan’s Fair Chance to Housing Access Bill and New York’s Close Rikers Campaign.
Featured by NPR, the University of Michigan, and Arab America Foundation, Reda’s lifelong commitment centers on uplifting communities, expanding opportunity, and cultivating future changemakers.
Alumni Business of the Year
Pop Daddy Snacks is a Michigan-based company recognized for its adventurous approach to snacking. Founded in 2013 by Mark and Erin Sarafa, Pop Daddy began with a quest to create delicious, better-for-you popcorn in their family basement. With encouragement from Erin and their children, J.T. and Grace, Mark transformed his homemade recipes into a fast-growing business guided by the mantra, “Bold Snacks made with Big Heart.”
Built on a foundation of local sourcing and premium ingredients, Pop Daddy features signature Ruby Red popcorn kernels from a nearby family farm, popped in olive oil and seasoned with creative blends—never anything artificial. In 2018, the launch of their seasoned pretzels propelled Pop Daddy into new realms of popularity, fueled by viral attention and customer demand for bold, unique flavors. Today, Pop Daddy offers over 25 snack varieties, free of MSG and artificial additives.
Mark Sarafa, ‘89 BBA, brings over twenty years of experience in the food and beverage industry, building Pop Daddy’s national presence through strategic leadership and innovation. The company now employs more than 140 people across a 56,000-square-foot production facility in Howell and a Novi distribution center, supplying snacks to over 30,000 retail locations in the U.S. and six countries worldwide.
Mark’s commitment to his alma mater, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, shines through his exceptional generosity and engagement with the campus. He has donated Pop Daddy Snacks to signature events such as the Alumni & Family Picnic and the Dreams in Practice: A Soiree in the City, and recently served as a judge for the UM-Dearborn Business Idea Pitch Competition. While engaging within the community, Pop Daddy Snacks also stays connected in outreaching through local sponsorships and offering fundraising programs for community groups.
Pop Daddy Snacks continues to redefine snack time—blending Michigan pride, bold flavors, and heartfelt quality in every bag.
Graduate of the Last Decade Alum of the Year
Matthew Carter, ‘18 BA, is a distinguished leader and dedicated community advocate whose career bridges professional excellence and committed service. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Matthew honed leadership, discipline, and integrity as a Military Police Officer before embarking on a remarkable journey in the insurance industry.
Currently serving as senior underwriter in excess casualty at Chubb, Matthew pairs technical expertise with strategic foresight, managing complex risk portfolios for the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. His prior role as vice president - commercial lines at USI Insurance Services saw him driving business growth and client satisfaction across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Matthew’s contributions to the industry were recognized with his inclusion in the Michigan Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2020.
Matthew’s professional breadth also includes leading strategic communication at The Carter Henry Group and earning accolades as a sales consultant with Tamaroff Automotive Group. Beyond his impactful career, Matthew has been a steadfast advocate for students, having testified before the Michigan Senate on behalf of over 100,000 college students.
A University of Michigan-Dearborn graduate, Matthew holds a BA in public culture and communication studies and a certificate in public relations. Since graduating, he has remained deeply engaged with his alma mater. Demonstrating a commitment to supporting fellow veterans, he participated in an alumni panel, where he shared how lessons from his military service and his UM-Dearborn education shaped his success. In 2023, Matthew joined the UM-Dearborn Alumni Society Board, where he has continued to mentor students and champion alumni engagement. That same year, he was honored to serve as the keynote speaker for the Military Affiliated Commencement Celebration for Fall term graduates. His dedication and leadership continued in July 2025 with his appointment as the board’s chair.
Matthew’s distinguished commitment to service, leadership, and excellence continues to inspire those around him.
Alumni Service Award
Mary Lore Brown, ’79 BBA, is an internationally recognized thought leader, author, and public speaker who has made extraordinary contributions to the University of Michigan-Dearborn while building a distinguished professional career spanning more than four decades. A proud College of Business alum with a degree in finance and a minor in philosophy, Mary is deeply committed to advancing student, alumni, and community success at UM-Dearborn.
Her strong connection to the university is shown in years of leadership and service. Mary received the Distinguished Alum of the Year award and served as a founding member of the College of Business Dean’s Board of Advisors from 1993 to 2015, rejoining in 2024 to lead the Executive Skills Task Force, which works to boost executive skill development in the curriculum and prepare future leaders.
Professionally, Mary has excelled as a CPA, senior executive, startup and turnaround expert, and mentor to corporate leaders. She serves as an expert resource for Vistage International, leading leadership workshops for CEOs and emerging executives worldwide since 2018. As the award-winning author of “Managing Thought,” her work is endorsed by business leaders and educators globally. She was named one of Michigan’s Top 25 Women Business Owners of Distinction, and her company was recognized as one of Metro Detroit’s Future 50 Companies for three years.
Mary’s vision has driven alumni and student engagement. She founded the Celebration of Excellence in 2002 to re-engage alumni and support vital endowments, and led fundraising for the Richard E. Czarnecki Scholarship and Collegiate Professorship Celebration Event in 2020. As a college ambassador, she makes industry introductions, mentors students and young alumni, and represents UM-Dearborn’s values through her networks.
Mary has delivered numerous seminars and workshops for UM-Dearborn on leadership, self-awareness, entrepreneurship, and career success, and continues to champion the university through mentorship, education, and service, exemplifying its spirit of leadership and engagement.
College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Alum of the Year
Robert Picchi, '81 BGS, is the co-founder and president of Blue Ridge Advisory Services Group, a consulting firm specializing in the telecommunications and energy sectors. With a distinguished career spanning over 35 years, Bob has established himself as a leading authority in his field, having written and spoken extensively on telecommunications and community development.
Before founding Blue Ridge Advisory Services Group 24 years ago, Bob served as senior vice president of consulting at Chicago-based Utilities International. Under his leadership, Blue Ridge has worked to close the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet access to un- and underserved communities. As a result, hundreds of thousands of citizens have been connected—many via direct fiber optic networks—transforming lives and fostering economic growth.
Bob holds a graduate business degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He serves on the board of directors for Mid-Atlantic Broadband (MBC), where he chairs the technology and strategic planning committees, and is a proud member of the Fuqua School’s Ile Maligne Society.
Bob is deeply committed to advancing the mission of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL). Since beginning his service to CASL in 2018, he has provided invaluable guidance as a member and, currently, as chair of the CASL Advisory Board and advisor to the CASL Dean. Bob and his wife, Colleen, have supported the campus and college financially since the 1980s. Their philanthropic legacy includes the establishment of the Robert and Colleen Picchi Scholarship in 2016, created to provide financial support to UM-Dearborn students, with a preference for CASL students. Bob and Colleen reside in North Carolina and are also dedicated members of the University of Michigan’s John Monteith Legacy Society.
College of Business Alum of the Year
Jeffrey Smith, ’77 BBA, is a seasoned business consultant with more than four decades of automotive industry leadership. As principal of Jeffrey R. Smith LLC, he provides expert guidance in sales, business development, strategic planning, and business transformation.
Jeff retired in 2012 following a 31-year career with Johnson Controls (JCI) and Adient, where he served as vice president and general manager of the Global Toyota Customer Business Unit, overseeing operations and partnerships on multiple continents with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. Earlier in his career, he held key roles at Ernst & Whinney, Hoover Universal, and JCI, with assignments that included Ann Arbor, Kentucky, and the United Kingdom.
As an engaged alum, Jeff has made significant contributions to the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business. From 2012 to 2025, he served on the Board of Advisors, playing an active role in shaping the College’s mission and supporting its students. Jeff devoted his time to mentoring future business leaders, conducting mock interviews, and serving as a judge in student club competitions, all while offering invaluable guidance to student organizations and faculty. His dedication has left a lasting impact on the UM-Dearborn community, helping to enrich the experiences and professional readiness of countless students.
Jeff is also a dedicated community leader. He has been active in the Northville Rotary Club as president and foundation leader, and founded the Golf de Ville Charity Golf Classic. He volunteers with AARP Tax-Aide, Free Bikes 4 Kidz, and serves on the Board of Directors for iQUE Insurance Company.
Jeff also earned a master’s degree in taxation from Walsh College in 1986. He and his wife, Donna, reside in Michigan and cherish time with their two daughters (MSU Spartans) and seven grandchildren.
College of Education, Health, and Human Services Alum of the Year
Mary Starr, PhD, ‘86 BA, is a champion for STEM education, a dedicated University of Michigan alum, and a devoted supporter of the UM-Dearborn community. She serves as executive director of the Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network, advancing equitable, high-quality mathematics and science education across the state since 2013. Mary also leads Starr and Associates, supporting STEM innovation, curriculum development, and teacher professional learning nationwide.
A proud three-time graduate of the University of Michigan, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree with honors and teaching certificate from UM-Dearborn, and both her MA (’89) and PhD (’96) in science education from U-M Ann Arbor. Deeply engaged in the UM-Dearborn community, she is a valued member of the Alumni Society Board, a former employee of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, and a regular participant in campus events such as the Alumni & Family Picnic and UM-Dearborn Reception at Detroit Pistons game.
Mary has co-led state and national STEM initiatives, including OpenSciEd and NSF-funded projects, authored project-based curricula, and played key roles in science leadership organizations such as CASTLK-12 and COESEE. As a member of Michigan’s science assessment writing panel, she continues to shape K-12 education throughout the state. Her outstanding contributions earned her the National Science Education Leadership Association’s Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award in 2024.
With a distinguished career bridging research, leadership, and outreach, Mary remains committed to strengthening the University of Michigan-Dearborn community and fostering opportunity for all learners.
College of Engineering and Computer Science Alum of the Year
Ashwini Balasubramanian, ‘05 MSE, serves as head of Motorcycle Development (MD) Strategy & Operations at Harley-Davidson, overseeing MD strategy and efficiency, Test Operations, Product Regulatory Affairs, and Innovation/Advanced Development teams. She leads a team of over 200 engineers and drives the development of tools and techniques that advance motorcycle design and development. Ashwini is known for her strategic vision and ability to deliver results, drawing on leadership experience from Bosch, Toyota, ZF, and Martinrea.
Her dynamic leadership has earned Ashwini significant industry recognition. Automotive News named her a “Rising Star” in 2019 for her industry contributions. She received the Society of Women Engineers’ Engaged Advocate award and the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion, and Advancement (CADIA) Power of One award in 2023. Most recently, Inforum—a Michigan organization focused on women’s advancement—named her an Inner Circle Honoree in 2024 for her impact on women in automotive.
Deeply committed to higher education, Ashwini serves on the industry advisory board at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and was honored to serve as the commencement speaker for UM-Dearborn’s graduate ceremony in Spring 2024, illustrating her ongoing dedication to the university community.
Additionally, Ashwini serves on the board of OLSOM Inc., a privately held manufacturing automation company, and is president of the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF), a nonprofit advancing women in the automotive sector through advocacy. Under her leadership, AWAF has flourished as a voice for women’s empowerment.
Ashwini earned her BS in mechanical engineering from SSM College of Engineering in India and her MSE in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She is also a Certified Sustainability Excellence Associate from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.