USA / English
عربى
Pусский / Россия
Meet Our ISM Team
Our team members come from a diverse set of backgrounds spanning across industries and disciplines. We have experience and expertise across the four ISM pillars of business as well -- Entrepreneurship, Global Leadership, Technology, and Community Outreach. Learn more about our team members individual experiences below.
Learn about additional Coaches & Contributors, Interns, and Professional Fellows!
Faris Alami,
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
As the CEO & Founder of ISM, Faris Alami works with international leaders and entrepreneurs on strategies and implementations, to create an empowering environment for startups and existing businesses to prosper and grow. Faris works with high-ranking officials including presidents of countries, ministries, universities, and private sectors to facilitate economic and workforce development programs on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, mentorship, and funding. His trademarked teaching methodology and facilitation of entrepreneurship activities have been sought out by more than 61 leaders of nations and organizations. A fun fact about Faris is that he collects stamps and coins and at a point had over 20,000 of them in his collection.
Visit FarisAlami.com for more information.
Sam Salem,
Chief Operations Officer
As the acting COO of ISM, Sam oversees international operations in the MENA Region. He leads the team through implementation of several programs within ISM. Sam’s expertise spans a wide range of areas encompassing strategic management, business diagnostics, sector analysis, needs assessment, statistical analysis, benchmarking, quality management, continuous performance improvement, national quality infrastructure, SME development, and enhancing entrepreneurship ecosystems. Sam holds 2 master’s degrees in Quality Management and International Business with an MBA in Finance alongside three diplomas in Project Management, Business Analysts and Six Sigma. A fun fact about Sam is that he is a gym enthusiast.
Kayla Schwartz,
Executive Assistant
Kayla heads-up Operations and HR at ISM. She also writes keynote, organizes grant proposals, runs Faris’ calendar, assists with program management and works on company marketing. Prior to her work at ISM, she was in the legal field working as an Executive Assistant and Paralegal for both individual attorneys and large firms across the fields of corporate formation, tax, and insurance law. Personally, Kayla sits on the TIFA and DDA boards in her local community.
Jason Walker,
Training Program Manager
Jason Walker is an experienced and current Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Community Volunteer and Former Executive. His 20+ year background in Information Technology, Marketing, Training and Business Operations has allowed him to coach and mentor entrepreneurs from all levels from start-up to seasoned owners and executives. Jason has an easygoing demeanor, an ability to see the big picture and a knack to be able to work with people from all levels. His accomplishments in implementing solutions in Technology, Business Development, Operations and winning two National Marketing Innovation Awards shows that he has a diverse foundation of skills. He is also a Certified Kauffman FastTrac Facilitator, a Business Mentor for SCORE Detroit, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Alumni, and a Graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Jason is always ready to accept the challenge to help your organization succeed.
Joe Licavoli,
Manager of Innovation, Acceleration and Technology
Joe Licavoli serves as the Managing Director of Aventura Business Consulting. Aventura BC works with a variety of businesses with aggressive growth plans, consulting in areas of technology, human capital management, finance, fundraising, and business development. Previous positions include Manager of Capital Programs and Manager of SPARK East Innovation Center for Ann Arbor SPARK,
Joe is currently involved as a coach and mentor in several programs and cohorts in Ann Arbor, Ypsi and Detroit, Connecting the Game Dev Community, AI and Machine Learning, Pitch Ypsi, and DTX Launch Detroit at TechTown, helping startup entrepreneurs perform customer discovery and customer validation projects. Joe earned his Bachelors of Arts from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business.
Rana Khatib,
Global Partnership Manager
Rana is a highly qualified international development professional with ten years of proven experience in project planning and operations. Fluent in English and Arabic and advanced in Spanish, Rana holds a master’s degree in International Development from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Economics and Business Administration. In addition to leading ISM Global Partnership Division Rana provides overall project management and personal development coaching to ISM’ clients. She supports ISM CEO in global partnership, programs monitoring & evaluation, and business development initiatives. In the past Rana worked with USAID funded projects in a conflict zone , and with leading development agencies in Washington D.C. Rana held a Human Resources Manager position in Dubai between 2007 -2010.
Dr. Joyce L Suber,
Program Data, Measurements, and Evaluation Analyst
Joyce’s focus with ISM is to provide strategic planning, tactical leadership, process improvement and international change that includes marketing and outreach support. She is also a strategic visionary, who has superior design facilitation and microenterprise advancement knowledge within the company. Joyce possesses a doctorate degree in Executive Leadership with over 20 years in setting up successful small businesses. Joyce is an accomplished Thought Leader, successful Entrepreneur Architect and proven DEI & Financial Strategist, who has worked with Entrepreneurs around the world. A fun fact about Joyce is that she is a life-long philanthropist, sitting on multiple boards that provide financial and physical support to the youth, women, and the underserved population of Metro Detroit
ANTONIA DILLION,
Women Empowerment Entrepreneurship Manager
Antonia Dillon is Metro Detroit native and a three-time startup founder who began entrepreneur coaching to help prevent new business owners from making the same mistakes she did as she launched and grew her companies. Driven by seeing entrepreneurs – particular women and entrepreneurs of color – thrive as their grow their own businesses, Antonia is passionate about helping to bring small business owners from where they are to where they aspire to be, and she takes pride in providing knowledge, support, guidance, and general enthusiasm to her coaching clients. Her expertise lies with customer acquisition, business strategy development, brand storytelling, and marketing.
Pat Salo,
MBA, Business Coach and Trainer
Pat Salo has 30+ years’ experience working with small companies. In her early career, she served as a controller and finance officer. Later, she worked as a director for the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) consulting with small business owners. Pat was recognized by the Detroit Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as Advocate of the Year for her role as a business consultant. She is a certified Kauffman Foundation FastTrac trainer.
Derrick Simpson,
Marketing Manager
Derrick manages web related issues, video editing , monthly newsletter and technical support for ISM for over 10 years. A proud Detroiter, with over 30 years of creative and technical film and print to digital expertise.
Simpson is an accomplished video editor and digital retoucher. His impressive background in the comic book industry includes his role as a colorist for the acclaimed comic book series illuminati as Arvell Jones of the Marvel and DC fame.
Linda Anger,
DTM, Writer/Editor, Marketing Communications Manager
Linda Anger is president of The Write Concept, Inc. She has over three decades experience in corporate communications, content development and management, and manuscript development. Linda has 20+ years of publication credits, and was the 2013-2015 President of Detroit Working Writers. She was recognized by the Detroit Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) with the 2011 Pioneering Spirit Award. Linda is an avid and active member of several Toastmaster International clubs, and facilitates workshops on Speaking Skills for writers, introverts, and other groups.