“Volunteer work is not just an item on a resume or college application – it’s an essential part of a functioning society. The benefits of volunteer work reach far and wide with a ripple effect that begins with the individual and nonprofit organization and extends beyond the larger community, benefiting everyone in its wake.” -learnhowtobecome.org
A Colorado native, Rodney Lontine graduated from Western State Colorado University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, and a minor in Fine Arts. Mr. Lontine brings an exceptional record of executive leadership, arts programming, fundraising, performance and marketing success to the position.
Mr. Lontine is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Flint Institute of Music (FIM). FIM is made up of the Flint Symphony Orchestra (FSO), Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA), Flint Repertory Theatre (REP), the Whiting Auditorium and Capitol Theatre. The FSO, in its 103rd season is one of the finest orchestras of its size in the nation. FSPA is Michigan's largest community school of the arts and among the largest in the United States. REP is a professional regional theatre. The Whiting Auditorium is a 2,043-capacity concert hall and the Capitol Theatre is a 1,500 capacity multi-discipline proscenium stage theatre.
Prior to joining the Flint Institute of Music in Flint, MI, he served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA) for nearly twenty years. In that role, Mr. Lontine was responsible for growing and directing a multi-million dollar arts, education and entertainment institution including Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, a world-class 18,000 capacity outdoor Amphitheatre. The Museum's programs include art exhibition, education, and a veritable "who's who" of professionals from National Recording Artists, Orchestra, Dance, Opera, Film and Music Festivals. Rodney worked with both Live Nation and AEG Live in promoting and hosting concerts and music festivals.
Preceding his time at MOA, Mr. Lontine co-founded one of the largest advertising agencies in Colorado, Garrison • Lontine Advertising, with offices in Denver, Dallas and Boston. Clients included the Coca-Cola Company, Nestle, Little Caesars Enterprises, TCB and the G. Heileman Brewing Company. Mr. Lontine grew the agency from start-up to $18 million in billings in 5 years.
Amber Cade is an enthusiastic Registered Nurse at Hurley Medical Center with a calm disposition, exceptional crisis management skills, and a strong foundation in quality healthcare. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing and completed her studies with honors in 2019, earning an A.S. in Nursing from Mott Community College.
Amber's healthcare journey includes providing support to children and adults as a student nurse at the Corcoran House Substance Abuse Treatment Center and working as a behavior technician at Merakey Autism Center. Her educational path involved being a dual enrollment student at the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott College, enabling her to secure a spot in the nursing clinical rotation. In 2015, she graduated with high honors and received an A.A. in Art from Mott College.
Amber is an active member of the international organization for registered professional nurses and student nurses, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and the National Black Nurses Association. She is dedicated to delivering efficient healthcare, ensuring quality care, and prioritizing patient education while staying abreast of evolving medical knowledge, networking, and technology in the field to contribute to a healthier world.
Kim Hitchye is one who uses wisdom and experience to inspire younger and older generations. With over 30 years of experience in the financial and insurance industries, her down-to-earth personality aids her while working as a financial consultant and funeral home owner of McFadden & Hitchye Funeral Enterprises.
Kim has obtained several degrees and licenses including, Series 7 and 63, Life & Health and Variable Contracts, an ABA from Baker College, and an AAS in Funeral Service from University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. Prior to investing in the funeral home in Hope, AR, Kim serviced five Chase Bank branches in Flint, MI where she supported, coached and managed bankers as an investment representative. Kim secured multi-million dollar clients in Michigan as well as Los Angeles. She received many awards for her outstanding work ethic and social skills.
Currently, Kim is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director who not only runs a successful business but also educates young professionals, provides superior service, and stands for economic funeral practices. She is also no stranger to the microphone or television screens. Using her angelic voice, she has hosted and performed in front of thousands of people.
Kay Smith, a Flint, Michigan native, is a multifaceted individual who has made significant strides in various fields. She graduated with honors from Grand Blanc High School and chose Michigan State University (MSU) over out-of-state basketball scholarships. At MSU, she became the president of a multicultural student organization, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Communications. Later, she earned a magna cum laude M.A. in Public Relations and interned at Capitol Records and the Los Angeles Clippers in Communications and Publicity departments. She also studied mass media abroad in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Additionally, Kay served as a Visiting Professor at DeVry University for nearly a decade. Fostering her entrepreneurial spirit, Kay invented an urn and co-founded McFadden & Hitchye Funeral Enterprises, where she now serves as the Chief Communications Officer. Notably, her invention, The Diamond Urn, has successfully made it to the second round of NBC's Shark Tank twice.
Kay also earned an M.F.A. in acting from Harvard University's American Repertory Theater | Moscow Art Theatre School Institute. She is credited as a vocalist and actor in various domains, including music, theater, television, and film.
Growing up with a brother who lost his biological father to Legionnaires disease during the Flint Water Crisis, Kay felt a deep calling to make a difference. This led her to found the Flint Water Festival, create the character DRIPPIE the water mascot, and establish RICH Kids, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities and leveling the playing field for all. She later earned certifications in Construction Project Management and Construction Finance Management at Columbia University to build her leadership skills for charitable real estate projects.
Kay’s dedication to philanthropy and education extends beyond Flint, Michigan. In essence, her integrity drives her success in business, athletics, arts, and education, embodying determination and a commitment to positive change.
LaCretia Malone brings over 20 years of operational expertise from her work with top Fortune 500 companies in the automotive, semiconductor, and aerospace industries. Her passion for business and proficiency in supply chain management have led her to manage teams globally, significantly impacting business growth. She is currently employed as the Director, Surface PC & Accessories at Microsoft.
LaCretia Malone's journey includes various leadership roles at Honeywell Aerospace in Phoenix, AZ, where she contributed to supply chain management and customer product and support organizations. In her role as Senior Program Manager, she led global teams in high-level projects aimed at improving the customer experience at Honeywell.
LaCretia holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. During her time at Michigan State, she tutored in math and served as the first President of the Multicultural Business Students Tutorial Association, providing support to her peers in achieving their academic goals.
In addition to her successful career, LaCretia developed a passion for the arts from an early age. Despite her shy and mild-mannered disposition, she began dancing at the age of three and later became a member of Creative Expressions Dance Studio in Flint, MI, where she danced and received awards on the repertory competition team. Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in the training of younger dancers as a teacher assistant. Concurrently, she participated in numerous piano competitions and recitals at the Flint Institute of Music.
Growing up in the Flint, MI area, LaCretia witnessed economic disparities among families. This experience has fueled her commitment to using her passion for arts, education, and business to give back and help others reach their full potential.
Stylés Akira is a strategic branding and marketing expert. He currently serves as a lecturer for the Communication Management Graduate Program at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Stylés is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, with over a decade of experience working at both large and small firms in New York City and Los Angeles.
With a background as a trained social scientist and critical theorist, he has extensive professional experience in strategic client work, collaborating on projects for major brands such as Google, Samsung, Pepsi, Bacardi/Grey Goose, Darden, McKinsey, Coke, Barefoot Wines, Walmart, and General Motors. Drawing from this wealth of experience, Stylés founded a full-service marketing startup called The Annie Agency. In this endeavor, he brought together elite Annenberg MCM Alumni and accomplished individuals from his professional network to pioneer a groundbreaking approach to marketing strategy rooted in the principles of Positive Deviance.
Stylés holds a PhD and M.A. in Communication from the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles. His academic journey allowed him to refine his expertise in various disciplines, including strategic branding and marketing, advertising, mass media effects, semiotics, and behavioral economics. His dissertation, titled 'Project Designer ID: Brands, T-shirts, & the Communication of Identity,' is complemented by a documentary film. It delves into the use of T-shirt design as a medium for mass communication, exploring its role in signaling social identity and the perceived positioning of brand values.
Notably, Stylés is an award-winning writer and artist who has developed several intellectual properties under his Casa La Doniccé umbrella. These include an educational entertainment brand, a fashion label, and a recording label featuring a diverse catalog of musical compositions.
Shumetris (Meme) Halford is an accomplished entertainment professional with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. Having previously held the title of Senior Director of Partnerships and Business Development at The Recording Academy, renowned for hosting the GRAMMY Awards, Meme has recently transitioned to the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Sponsorships at City National Bank. Meme also served as the Experiential Marketing & Partnerships Lead for Nestle IPW, S. Pellegrino, and Acqua Panna.
Meme's educational journey led her to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, providing her with a solid foundation for her career in the entertainment industry. Her passion for music was evident during her college years, where she worked in radio. This early experience set the stage for her move to Los Angeles, where she embarked on a successful career in the music business.
Meme's professional journey has been marked by remarkable achievements. She gained valuable experience in A&R working under the guidance of music industry luminaries such as Jermaine Dupri and Dr. Dre. Her time working with Dr. Dre during the launch of Beats By Dre ignited a new perspective on artists and their creative careers, particularly from a branding standpoint. This experience inspired Meme to venture into brand marketing, and she founded Creative Collaborators Inc., a company dedicated to connecting talent with brands. In this capacity, she has had the privilege of working with esteemed clients such as Tina Knowles on her Wearable Art Gala and James Beard award-winning Chef Joseph Johnson. Meme's dedication to the arts knows no bounds.
In addition to her impressive professional career, Meme plays an active role in her community by serving on the board of Music Professionals for York College of Pennsylvania. Her commitment to the music industry and her dedication to fostering connections between artists and brands continue to drive her work and passion for the arts.
