Nicole Brown

Nicole Brown is a Cohort IV Detroit Revitalization Fellow serving as the Sustainable Landscapes Manager for Detroit Future City (DFC). In her role, Nicole works to equip Detroiters with the tools and resources needed to be land and water stewards. She also organizes, promotes and manages green infrastructure education forums and installation workshops, including assisting Detroit residents with efficiently transitioning to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s newly-revised water rates and drainage charges.

Nicole joins DFC with nearly 10 years of leadership in marketing, communications and community engagement in metro Detroit.

Most recently, Nicole spent four years as the community relations manager of M-1 RAIL, where she developed and managed community engagement campaigns, including public safety and internship programs.  Prior to serving at M-1 RAIL, Nicole worked as the communications and outreach coordinator for Midtown Detroit, Inc.’s Living Cities Integration Initiative and the Woodward Corridor Initiative. She also has worked in various capacities for organizations including Excellent Schools Detroit and the Woodward Avenue Action Association.

In 2015, Nicole was selected to participate in the White House Office of Social Innovation’s Fellowship program known as The Presidio Institute’s Cross Sector Leadership Fellowship. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in journalism specializing in public relations from Eastern Michigan University.

David Fiss

David Fiss serves on Sustainable Brand's leadership team as the Director Business Development, Partnerships & Event Strategy, having previously served as the Executive Producer for Live Events & Sponsorships. David brings years of cause related event and meeting producing and partnership development to his role with Sustainable Brands and enjoys delivering value to purpose driven brands through strategic partnerships, activations, and thought leadership in the SB Event, Member and Digital Platforms.

Active in the events and meetings communities, David is the past President of Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) Northern CA and is active with Events Industry Council Sustainability Network. David serves on several CVB Advisory Boards and Industry Forums. A graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science–Hospitality Administration and Management, David lives near Lake Merritt in Oakland and enjoys as much time as he can outdoors exploring trails, beaches, farm stands and wine country.

John Ziraldo

John Ziraldo is President of Commonwealth Consulting, LLC, a Detroit-based consulting firm with a focus on fostering greater impact for social impact organizations. Founded in 2003, the firm offers strategy development and capacity building services to nonprofits, intermediary organizations, and national and local foundations by assisting organizations to clarify their mission and build the knowledge, skills and resources needed to fulfill their goals. Clients have included national and local foundations and a broad range of nonprofits and intermediary organizations.

Most recently, Mr. Ziraldo returned to serve for two years as the Vice President of Program and Strategy for The Skillman Foundation. He oversaw development and launch of the Foundation’s revised programmatic vision and strategy and supported the development of program team members. The Foundation’s current strategy seeks to ensure that Detroit youth have access to high-quality educational and economic opportunities and a strong, broad network of champions that work on behalf of young people’s interests. Before returning to the Skillman Foundation, Mr. Ziraldo was a Senior Program officer for the William Davidson Foundation and oversaw its grantmaking work in Southeast Michigan. He was responsible for the Foundation’s entrepreneurship grants in Southeast Michigan and Israel.

Prior to that, he served for nearly ten years as the CEO/President of Lighthouse of Oakland County. The agency provides a comprehensive array of services designed to move low-income individuals and families from crisis to self-sufficiency. During his tenure, the organization significantly grew its ability to raise unrestricted revenue from individuals, foundations and businesses to provide flexible funding for crisis and self-sufficiency programs.

His previous positions also include Director of Programs for The Guidance Center, a comprehensive human service agency offering more than 40 behavior health programs in southern Wayne County. From 2000 until 2004 he was the Thompson-McCully Foundation’s first Executive Director and directed its operations and grantmaking programs. The Foundation was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Executives as the Outstanding Foundation of the Year in 2002. Mr. Ziraldo also served as Senior Program Officer at the Skillman Foundation, the largest philanthropy in Michigan with a primary focus on the needs of children. In his eleven years at Skillman, Mr. Ziraldo developed and oversaw the Foundation’s public school reform initiatives and helped establish the Foundation as the philanthropic leader for public school reform in Detroit.

Mr. Ziraldo has extensive experience as a member and officer of a wide variety of nonprofit boards and committees. He currently is Vice Chair of Detroit’s Promise Zone Authority Board and is a member of the board of Michigan’s Children, a statewide child advocacy organization. He previously has served as a member several other nonprofit boards, including United Way for Southeastern Michigan and New Detroit, Inc.

Mr. Ziraldo received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sacred Heart Seminary and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Michigan. He has completed executive education courses at the Harvard Business School in performance measurement and strategic nonprofit management. He is life- long Detroit resident and active community volunteer.