Young Leaders Focus on Economic Empowerment, Community Service

Ford’s Thirty Under 30 is back, albeit virtually. The class of 2020 is now the class of 2021, picking up where it left off before the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly hit the pause button.

Ford’s Thirty Under 30 is a yearlong course in philanthropic leadership and civic engagement that matches nonprofits with select Ford employees under the age of 30 in the U.S. and Canada. This year’s class will focus on economic empowerment – helping people become more self-sufficient by providing opportunities and resources for them to improve the quality of their life through education, job training or entrepreneurship.

“Empowering individuals to better control their own lives is where we can have the most impact,” said Rene Palileo, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “When you’re able to lift up minimum wage earners, first-time home buyers, small business start-ups and others in need, the positive result for families and the community runs much deeper.”

The Ford Thirty Under 30 fellows have been divided into six teams of five members who will learn the inner workings and needs of a nonprofit organization. In turn, the Ford employees will provide valuable insights and a different perspective on how to best engage younger generations of donors and volunteers who have been raised with technology and are skilled in using it to meet social challenges.

The six nonprofits working with this year’s class are:

• Accounting Aid Society – Tax assistance for low to middle-income families
• Eastern Market – Fortify growth of the food industry with healthier options
• Focus HOPE – Promote actions to overcome racism, poverty and injustice
• Habitat for Humanity Windsor/Essex County – Build affordable housing, break cycle of poverty
• SERMetro Detroit – Growing businesses and strengthening communities through education, employment, economic and community development
• Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency – Empowering people and communities to be strong, healthy and thriving

“Being a part of this program will provide me the opportunity to learn how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Serena Myles, dealer sales manager, Marketing Sales & Service, Ford of Canada. “By leaning into this discomfort, I hope to learn how to effectively leverage design thinking, all while helping others and connecting with amazing people. It truly is an all-around win for everyone involved.”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my nerves have settled after getting to meet everyone,” added Matt Leddy, business development manager, Ford Credit. “It appears we have a great diverse team that is going to work well together.”

The Thirty Under 30 Ford fellows are selected each year from hundreds of applications submitted by Ford employees who are driven to learn and uplift people in their communities. From time to time over the course of a year, they step away from their regular jobs as engineers, manufacturing and purchasing managers, IT, legal, HR, finance, marketing and communications professionals to help find solutions to pressing issues in their towns and neighborhoods. The COVID-19 pandemic may have detoured the class temporarily, but it couldn’t be stopped completely.

“This group and alumni from past classes continued to support the community during the pandemic,” said Palileo. “They packed hygiene kits and food baskets, sent packages, mentored and read children’s books.”

“I was so impressed by the other fellows, their insights and energy,” said Ashley Williams, IT product manager, Ford Credit. “Even through a computer screen, I could feel the passion and excitement for what’s to come.”

Launched in 2016, the innovative Ford Thirty Under 30 program is run by Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, as part of Executive Chairman Bill Ford’s vision to develop young employee philanthropic leaders. The course introduces employees to Design Thinking – a popular form of problem-solving that is sharply focused on the people being served.  Past Thirty Under 30 classes have focused their work on the following themes: basic needs; food insecurity; housing, homelessness and shelter; and community and neighborhood development.

“We need more leaders that understand how corporations impact society beyond their economic contribution,” added Alex Perkins, research engineer, Research & Advanced Engineering. “This program is an excellent platform for developing those skills and making connections early on with others who value impact in their careers.”

To meet the fellows and learn more about the nonprofits, please visit:
www.fordfund.org/employee-volunteering/30-under-30.