Our clients are doing great things in and around Detroit, and each month we will be highlighting a new person to let others know what great people we have as a part of the PT in the D community.
Since I met him around 2010–prior to the launch of PT in the D–Dierk has had an intense interest in health and fitness, as well as a powerful drive to advance community initiatives and generate social change. When he's not breaking a sweat at PT in the D, he's serving as president and CEO of Connect Detroit. The nonprofit serves as a community intermediatory, standing ready to support grassroots and nonprofit organizations through fund development, project management, technical assistance consulting, collaborative facilitation, incubation of innovative change initiatives and more.
Here is a bit more about his story...
"Nearly 10 years ago as I approached a milestone birthday, I realized it was time to get in physical shape to make sure the next chapter of my life was as impactful as the first. I needed to be able to continue to lead Connect Detroit with the ultimate strength and energy that’s required to generate the types of change we’re committed to. I connected with Rob and we’ve worked together since. His workouts help me target some of my problem areas, chasing away everyday aches and pains. He’s not only a trainer, but he often serves as my impartial sounding board, as I’m actively thinking through the administrative ebb and flow of our programs, too.
Connect Detroit is celebrating 22 years this year and there’s so much more work to be done. Since its founding in 2001, Connect Detroit has organized, managed and led more than four dozen community change initiatives and mobilized more than $200 million in support of their good work. These resulting collaboratives have addressed a range of community problems, including the need for better data for decision-making, a lack of after school programming, the threat of home-based lead hazards and limited access to healthy foods and safe recreational opportunities. Connect Detroit also is behind Detroit’s well-known youth employment program, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, and we’re excited about continuing the growth of this program and its workforce development opportunities for our city’s youth. A lot of people are counting on me, and I have to stay on top of my game. Rob is the guy to make sure I do.”
– Dierk
