After surviving a life-altering car crash, our founder Susie Dahlmann sought coaching guidance that would change the course of her life — and become the foundation for Reaching Higher.

Susie had been a second-grade teacher for years but was concerned the extensive brain injuries sustained in the crash would limit her ability to teach. Susie was determined to not allow this trauma to dictate her life and enrolled in the Dale Carnegie course to help her regain her self-confidence. The course changed her life, and she decided to try her hand at becoming a Dale Carnegie instructor — a very exclusive and competitive endeavor. Not only did Susie win one of the six spots, she placed second out of 60 instructor hopefuls.

Susie then knew what she wanted to do with her life — bring personal development leadership and coaching to everyone, including youths. After traveling with author and self-help guru Deepak Chopra, Susie returned home to her 50th birthday party that provided the seed money for Reaching Higher. The youth curriculum soon debuted, and quickly after was in area schools. The adult program has continued upon Reaching Higher’s proven success. “My greatest joy is to help kids reach their full potential,” Susie said.

Reaching Higher’s Executive Board is a working board that’s actively engaged in the development and ongoing growth of its programs. Board members provide key expertise in the areas of finance, instruction, marketing, fundraising and ethics.

MARK HEMEYER (board president)

Mark Hemeyer has been affiliated with Reaching Higher since 2010. Mark is the president of Kennedy Industries in Wixom, Mich. He has worked at Kennedy for over 31 years developing a world-class environmental company with his 85 amazing teammates. Many Kennedy teammates participate in Reaching Higher as mentors or in the adult Reaching Higher class. 

TROY WEIDMAN (board vice president, director of strategy)

Troy Weidman serves Reaching Higher as its director of strategy and board vice president.  Weidman serves Reaching Higher due to his belief that our future is dependent on equipping our youth to become tomorrow’s future leaders.  Troy possesses an MBA degree from Wayne State University which is coupled with his diverse background in leadership as a high school basketball coach, a non-profit entrepreneur and as a leader in the corporate sector. Troy is also the founder of Competitors Leadership Services LLC.  

Marisol McCormick (board secretary)

Marisol McCormick has been affiliated with Reaching Higher since 2015. Marisol, an industrial engineer who graduated from Purdue University, is retired from General Motors (GM), where she worked alongside many outstanding leaders. Her 16-year career at GM prepared her to be the leader she is today. She is a servant leader who walks the talk and strongly believes in her mission to serve others. Today, besides being a Reaching Higher facilitator, she balances being a wife, mom, coach and personal trainer.  She does whatever it takes to get the job done.

Tom Archer (board treasurer)

Thomas Archer is a seasoned Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with over 25 years of experience in wealth management. Born and raised in Brighton, Mich., Thomas has deep roots in his community and a strong commitment to its well-being. 

Driven by a passion for helping individuals achieve their financial goals, Thomas founded 7 Pillars Wealth Management. His firm is dedicated to stewarding the dreams of his clients, providing personalized financial planning and investment strategies tailored to their aspirations.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Thomas is actively involved in giving back to his community. He believes in the importance of education and empowerment.

Thomas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Eastern Michigan University, where he laid the foundation for his successful career in wealth management. 

DR. DAVID BAZZETTA (board member, director of integration and stewardship)

Dr. Bazzetta is Reaching Higher’s director of integration and stewardship. Since 2005, Dr. Bazzetta has worked as a business advisor at BASF. Dr. Bazzetta is an adjunct professor at Northwood University, teaching “Ethical Leadership and Moral Development.” Dr. Bazzetta also is managing partner of BlackTree Advisors and partner & finance director at RYB Pilates, LLC.

STAN BRISH

STAN BRISH is an entrepreneur and a semi-retired design-build general contractor who has successfully transitioned his career to a commercial and industrial real estate developer. Stan also serves as a Reaching Higher keynote speaker and Instructor while also being a high school football coach. Stan is passionate about leadership development, attributing his success as an entrepreneur to his personal growth through leadership development. Stan believes Reaching Higher is the perfect platform for creating future leaders in every walk of life.

Jo Bruce (board member)

Jo Bruce is a keynote speaker, executive coach and corporate trainer/consultant with more than 25 years of experience. Her expertise is in leadership, customer service, sales, and helping companies and individuals “Better Their Best!’ She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, a large law firm for 17 years and a former Congressman. Currently she is a part of Reaching Higher 360. People are her passion, and it is her privilege to serve.

BRIAN CLARK (board member)

Brian Clark was introduced to Reaching Higher by being invited to a Gala. He was so moved by the stories he heard of how it impacted the lives of others, he felt compelled to financially support the organization. He reached out to see how his business could sponsor a student. During that conversation, he was invited to mentor at a local high schools.

Although Brian has a background in coaching high school football and wrestling, he had no idea how that class was going to impact him, his marriage, the way he parents, his business and his relationships. 

Brian’s journey went from writing a check, to mentoring, to teaching, to piloting a Reaching Higher class at the Livingston County Jail, to being an advisor to the board, to present day, where he sits on our Executive Board.

Brian and his wife Angie are the owners of Clark Family Agency of Farmers Insurance. Along with raising and loving on their son, Isaiah Thomas Clark, they believe their mission in life is investing in people. 

TIFFANY GRAYDON (board member)

Tiffany Graydon is Focus: HOPE’s Director of Workforce Development and Education. She is committed to developing innovative social impact solutions and challenging systemic racism and gender bias within the workforce. Graydon also is a Christian, wife, mother of three, daughter, sister, family member, teacher, mentor and community stakeholder. 

For more than 16 years, she has worked toward increased employment equity, particularly in her field of expertise (Information Technology) and has advocated passionately for support to end the digital divide in Detroit. Graydon has been a mentor for Girls Who Code, a member of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, Microsoft’s Women in Technology Network, and the American Association of University Women. 

STEVE GRONOW  (board member)

Steve Gronow is CEO at Chestnut Development and Real Estate. He is also CEO, Developer, Builder and owner/operator of the 3 Chestnut Apartment communities, located in Howell and Northfield Township. He is the Primary Developer and Builder of several single-family residential communities in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. He also is VP and Director of Livingston County Home Builders Association, Michigan HBA State Legislative Committee member, member of Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club, Director of LSRC Charitable Foundation, Livingston Educational Services Administration Advisory Council. Steve also is an avid boater and has been married 49 years to his amazing wife Patty. He has two sons and five grandchildren.

STEVE LIVINGWAY (board member, director of Reaching Higher For Youth)

Steve Livingway is the director of Reaching Higher For Youth. He spent 32 years in public education, including 20 years as a middle school principal in Hartland, Mich. He has been a Reaching Higher instructor for 10 years and has served on the RH Board for one year. He also dedicates time to Hartland Enrichment and Recreation Organization (HERO) and the Hartland Teen Center.

Ann Mettetal  (board member, director of facilitation)

Ann Mettetal is the director of facilitation and an instructor for Reaching Higher. Her professional experience has been working with organizations in the areas of human resource development, training, coaching, marketing and retention initiatives. She also has served as marketing and communications director for Reaching Higher, marketing and event coordinator at Howell Conference and Nature Center and director of marketing and professional placement at Total Rehabilitation, Inc.

Sarah Pettengill (board member, director of identity)

Sarah Pettengill is the Director of Identity for Reaching Higher. She is a Michigan State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She was a reporter and then managing editor for The Argus-Press in Owosso, Mich., before transitioning to marketing and social media development. She also does freelance social media development contract work and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.