Donna Bauer is the Hospitality (Food Industry) Specialist for Oakland County. She turns struggling/failing businesses into profitable businesses. Bauer specializes in business turnarounds and start-ups (think Bar Rescue with Jon Taffer or The Profit with Marcus Lemonis) and has demonstrated successes in every food-related concept and has helped countless business owners. She has the expertise to implement operational, strategic and organizational changes to manage risk and mitigate underperformance. Bauer earned her MBA and a Specialization in Finance from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration and also taught at the renowned International Culinary Institute of Arts for many years. Donna has opened and turned around countless businesses over the years and is sought after by many in the industry for her expertise. (248)466-9603

Meet Jamar Bray, a dedicated business consultant with a passion for nonprofit development and marketing. Known for his innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to social impact, Bray has made significant contributions to the nonprofit sector. His expertise in business consulting has helped numerous organizations achieve their goals and make a positive difference in their communities. Bray was honored with the Cleary University President Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of nonprofit development. His remarkable work has also been recognized by prominent media outlets such as WDIV, Fox 2 News, and Bally Sports, where he has been featured for his award-winning nonprofit initiatives. (248)931-7520

Jonathan deSanctis oversees a dedicated team of six consultants. With a background as a small business owner and extensive experience as a Vice President and Manager in the financial sector, deSanctis brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to his role. He serves as an Ambassador of the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, on the DEI Committee for the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce, and is an active member of the Pontiac Regional Chamber, where he advocates for the interests of local businesses and collaborates on initiatives to drive growth and prosperity, and inclusion. As an entrepreneur, he understands the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face firsthand. This perspective fuels his passion for supporting and guiding fellow entrepreneurs on their journey to success. Together with his team, he is committed to bridging prosperity gaps and leveling the playing field for businesses across Oakland County. (248)701-9294

Joy Dockham believes that everyone needs to make a difference, and she has tried to do this by working in the nonprofit world. She started her career as a teacher and later worked in higher education for nearly a decade. Before joining Oakland Thrive, Dockham worked at Pontiac Community Foundation, providing small businesses support in the City of Pontiac, and she is excited to continue this work with the small business owners in Pontiac. Dockham is a life-long Michigander who has lived or worked in Pontiac for the last decade. She is very excited about working with an Oakland Thrive team who is actively engaged in supporting the growth and development of Pontiac.

With a robust educational foundation and over 25 years of professional experience, Nia Fields is a seasoned marketing and sales expert who has dedicated her career to driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth. Holding a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Eastern Michigan University, a Master's of Science in Administration (MSA) from Central Michigan University, and a MBA from Michigan State University, Nia combines academic excellence with hands-on industry expertise. Certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, Nia has a proven track record of implementing process improvements and creating innovative solutions. One of her standout achievements includes developing a balanced scorecard for a non-profit organization, helping align its strategic objectives with measurable performance indicators. With a long and successful tenure in the telecommunications/entertainment industry, Nia has held key roles as a Marketing and Sales Manager, where she consistently delivered results and led teams to success. After transitioning into education as a substitute teacher, she discovered a new passion for making a positive impact in the community. Now, Nia is fully dedicated to Oakland T.H.R.I.V.E.'s mission, working with enthusiasm and dedication to support its goals and contribute to its continued success. With a wealth of experience in both corporate and educational settings, Nia brings a unique perspective and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Sairy Garcia’s professional journey is driven by a commitment to continuous growth and a hunger for new challenges. Throughout her career, she’s honed her expertise in accounting, data analysis, business development, strategic management, and resource planning, enabling her to exceed client expectations and obtain excellent results. Garcia thrives in collaborative environments, where her ability to problem-solve and build relationships helps her contribute positively to projects and inspire others. Her current focus is helping small businesses to grow and thrive, providing resources, planning strategies, and ideas for new small business opportunities. She’s excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and is always eager to connect with fellow professionals who share similar interests or are open to networking and collaboration. (248)466-9255

Justin Ibe’s career spans across business consultancy, entrepreneurship, and a palpable commitment to community service. At Oakland Thrive, he will be instrumental in catalyzing the growth and success of businesses in Troy, offering a comprehensive suite of resources, insights, and strategies designed to propel local enterprises forward. His open invitation to business owners from neighboring cities underscores his inclusive approach and unwavering commitment to fostering business excellence beyond geographical constraints. Justin's entrepreneurial journey is marked by a deep-seated dedication to addressing the affordable housing crisis in Southeastern Michigan. Through Creek Valley Properties, he has pioneered innovative solutions in the manufactured homes sector. His contributions towards alleviating the affordable housing challenges in Metro Detroit reflect his profound connection to the community and his desire to enact meaningful change.

Joyce Kreger is an experienced entrepreneur who founded and managed a thriving eCommerce party favor business for 17 years. Throughout this journey, she volunteered as a coach to small businesses, offering guidance on areas including local Google listings and presentation delivery skills. Additionally, Kreger has worked with major companies like General Motors, McDonald’s, and Caterpillar to facilitate training programs in communication and career development. She also provided job and career coaching services to third-generation welfare recipients and low-income individuals in Detroit. Before joining Oakland Thrive, Kreger had a Chief of Staff role within Ford Motor Company’s Enterprise Technology area. Beyond her entrepreneurial and corporate pursuits, she is a voice-over artist, lending her narration skills to commercials, industrial videos, and phone menus. She has a passion for helping small businesses and is committed to offering the support and resources she didn't have when starting her own business.

Marlon serves the Commerce, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Orchard Lake, White Lake Township areas. His journey has been shaped by service and commitment, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted sense of purpose to everything he does. Having served with pride in the US Navy’s intelligence sector, Marlon honed invaluable skills in analysis, foresight, and teamwork. He has developed a diverse background spanning both military and corporate sectors, and brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and sales expertise to the table. Marlon transitioned seamlessly into a dynamic career in sales, where he spent the past 15 plus years specializing in Life, Health, and Financial Services. Through strategic relationship-building and a deep understanding of client needs, Lyons has cultivated lasting partnerships and helped countless individuals and families secure their financial futures. His time in the Navy instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and integrity, values that continue to guide his approach to both business and life. Beyond the boardroom, his passion for service extends into the community, where he has dedicated himself to initiatives aimed at empowering and uplifting others whether through volunteer work, mentorship programs, or local outreach efforts.

Prior to joining Business Forward/Small Business Services Daryl L. Peguese, Sr. was director of business development for a minority-owned IT consulting firm. With over 30 years of sales and marketing experience, Peguese, Sr. has focused on helping clients to design, build, and secure systems necessary to run profitable businesses. He was educated in the Detroit Public School System and Detroit College of Business with an industrial management major and a marketing minor. (248)931-8046

Drake Phifer's unwavering dedication to entrepreneurship and community development through Urban Organic Arts + Culture + Music Co. has garnered him recognition from esteemed publications such as The Detroit News, Free Press, Crain's Detroit, Rollingout.com, and Billboard Magazine, solidifying his status as a prominent influencer in the Detroit area. His commitment to fostering positive change extends far beyond his professional role at Oakland Thrive, drawing strength from over two decades of experience in small business support and advocacy efforts. (248)466-4551

Tracey Williams is a small business advocate with experience in eCommerce, project management, marketing, sales, data collection and evaluation, leadership, management, event planning and, of course, entrepreneurship. She is deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in economic development wherever possible and is an advocate for economic change; driven by a vision for an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all. While serving in the city of Southfield, Tracey saw the urgent need to create opportunities for local small businesses while working with small businesses in a Detroit-area Museum. This experience led her to specialize in emerging trends and untapped niches so that she can create opportunities and open doors for others. (248)931-8048