Born and raised in Southwest Detroit, I jumped at the opportunity to serve on the board as a former SDEV employee in fund development. After over 40 years in law enforcement, I am currently a City of Detroit employee and am proud of the collaboration between SDEV and the City. I have been honored to be elected Board President and continue to be passionate about the issues addressed by SDEV.

As the owner and founder of Understory Studio, Roger Van Tol leads an architecture and interior design firm that crafts spaces deeply integrated with their surroundings and inhabitants. Based in his hometown of Detroit, Roger’s firm is guided by the foundational principle that humanity is an inherent part of the natural world. He believes that by acknowledging the subconscious influences on conscious perception, designed spaces can be created to exist in seamless harmony with their community, environment, and the people who inhabit them. A dedicated community leader and environmental advocate, Roger has served on the SDEV Board of Directors for more than three years, is an active Citizen Forester with the Greening of Detroit, and shares his expertise by teaching architectural design at The University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development.

Christina Heximer has lived in southwest Detroit for over 23 years. She is also the Co-Executive Director of the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture & Community Development (SACD) and adjunct faculty in the school’s Master of Community Development (MCD) program. Christina graduated from the University of Michigan is 2002 with a Master of Architecture and a Master of Social Work with a focus in community organizing and social systems. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University.

Coming Soon!

Aman K Sidhu leads AKS Communications, a Strategic Engagement & Creative House specialising in advisory for food systems, climate, energy, finance & nature interlacing art & culture. AKS is home to L’Atelier by P ਕੌਰ and the LF Fund,  a trinity specializing in: Building community + activating solutions for people, markets + nature; Creating narratives + moments that spur action; Orchestrating dissonance within the climate, food & economic paradigm  

Andy joined the SDEV board in 2025.  Andy's career brings 30+ years of perspective from several industries, including: automotive; artificial intelligence; quality and environmental standards and consulting.  His most recent professional experiences have focused on environmental impact - carbon, micro contaminants, and well-being.  Collaborating with global organizations, Andy has successfully brought  forward creative, robust solutions that address many of the challenges faced today and tomorrow. Andy's first became aware of the significance of diesel emissions while leading Delphi Automotive Systems' solid oxide fuel program commercial activities.  During this program, he worked with the largest heavy duty truck manufactures to introduce an auxiliary power unit with the purpose of reducing harmful emissions during heavy idle times.  The program was also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Dr. Leach is an Assistant Professor of Research at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University. She serves as Co-Director of the Community Engagement Core for the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) and as Associate Center Director for Community Inclusion at the Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP). A health communication expert with over 15 years of experience, Dr. Leach specializes in community engagement and community-based participatory research, particularly with people ages 65 and older. Her work aims to address health inequities by co-developing community-driven solutions through collaboration. She is deeply invested in fostering University in-reach to actively connect Detroiters with the resources and opportunities available at WSU. She is intentional about leveraging her position and access to institutional resources to benefit the communities she engages, ensuring that they can utilize those assets to advocate for more just environments and improvements in their lives, homes and neighborhoods. Dr. Leach played a key role in establishing WSU as an age-friendly university, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusivity and University in-reach.

Don‑Q Patterson is a mission-driven executive, educator, and public servant with deep roots in leadership, curriculum development, and community engagement. As CEO, he leads strategic initiatives that fuse academic innovation with social impact, particularly through youth education programs in Detroit.

With a Master’s in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and ongoing doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership at Liberty University, Don‑Q brings academic rigor and practical insight to every role. His career includes senior leadership in data strategy, IT governance, and curriculum design, along with a passion for public speaking and faith-based mentorship.

A Christ-centered leader, husband, and father, Don‑Q is known for his authenticity, integrity, and dedication to empowering communities—especially through platforms like Inspirational Learning and the Joique Bell Charity.

A resident of southeast Michigan for decades, Ionel has been advocating over the years for closer interactions between the various communities in the region, which are intrinsically linked economically and socially. As a member of SDEV’s Board of Directors, he supports the organization’s mission and governance, by using his vast experience in the energy industry. Ionel’s career has been centered around functions like portfolio optimization, risk management, trading and hedging, which helped strengthen the operations of energy companies, banks and consulting firms. An innovator in the applied research of uncertainty and its impact on economic activities, Ionel designed, analyzed and implemented new methods and metrics for quantifying risk and helping decision-making processes marked by unpredictability of economic, regulatory, social and political factors and outcomes. Ionel earned graduate degrees in Financial Engineering and Economics from the University of Michigan.

Kelly (“KJ”) brings a strong background in administration, urban policy, and community development to the SDEV board. She earned her undergraduate degree in urban policy from the University of Michigan–Dearborn (2019) and a Master’s in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy (2023). During her Master’s program, Kelly had the opportunity to collaborate with SDEV as the community partner for her Capstone Project, where she worked alongside Kelly Sweeny to explore how natural elements such as plants and trees can help mitigate air, noise, and water pollution in Southwest Detroit. Kelly looks forward to contributing to SDEV’s ongoing efforts to improve air and water quality for the communities in Southwest Detroit as well as Southeastern Michigan. She currently serves as the Executive Assistant at Rare Plant Fairy, an indoor nursery in Detroit that specializes in cultivating and growing rare tropical plants.

Kelly Sweeny serves as the Public Engagement & Communications Director and Associate Vice President, where she leads strategic initiatives to foster transparent communication, build community trust, and amplify stakeholder voices across transportation projects. With a strong background in public affairs and a passion for inclusive engagement, Kelly brings a collaborative spirit and deep commitment to environmental justice to her role on the Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision Board of Directors.

Her work bridges the gap between policy and people, ensuring that community perspectives are heard and drive meaningful change. Previously, Kelly was the Communications Director for the Detroit Regional Chamber for more than five years, and she obtained her Master of Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy. Kelly’s leadership in cross-sector partnerships and her experience navigating complex stakeholder landscapes make her a valuable advocate for sustainable and equitable development.

With over 28 years of experience in engineering and leadership, Paul has worked across the heavy-duty equipment, trucking, and automotive sectors. His career has focused on designing and developing a wide range of systems, including axles, transfer cases, and suspensions for heavy trucks, off-highway vehicles, and defense applications. He has also been at the forefront of innovation, leading projects in autonomous and robotic development, as well as integrating EV systems into both new and existing heavy trucks.

His passion for engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and product innovation has driven his career, which includes roles such as Senior Engineering Director at Meritor and Technical Director at Pratt Miller Mobility. He also holds an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.

When he isn't focused on engineering, you can find him embracing the outdoors. He is an avid enthusiast for mountain biking and backpacking and enjoys spending time with his two children and his wife, Stephanie.