Board of Directors
Board President, Ken Elkins, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Renewed Ken Elkins is a visionary entrepreneur, nonprofit leader and systems builder with over 20 years of experience leading social impact work. With a deep commitment to equity, Ken has founded and co-founded several transformative organizations including Renewed, Black Leaders Detroit, BLACK (Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge) and Mentoring Through Media, all dedicated to empowering historically excluded communities through mentorship, education, access to capital and long-term stability.Ken’s leadership is rooted in action and accountability. He is known for his ability to align strategy with impact, strengthen ecosystems and mobilize collective power for lasting change. Whether improving nonprofit infrastructure or bridging diverse communities, Ken leads with integrity, inclusivity and an unwavering belief that results, not rhetoric, create trust and transformation. His work continues to inspire a future where marginalized voices are not only heard but resourced and elevated.
Board Vice-President, Monique Phillips, Vice-President of Development and Marketing, Matrix Human Services Monique Phillips is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience driving large-scale development initiatives. She has a proven track record of securing major corporate, government and private foundation support, leveraging her expertise in fundraising, strategic planning and program execution. As the founder of M.P. Consulting Group, LLC, and a former Corporate Development Officer in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Detroit, where she helped secure over $400 million annually in philanthropic support, Monique, has dedicated her career to expanding the impact of mission-driven organizations.She holds a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Oakland University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Passionate about advocating for youth and families affected by the legal system, Monique is committed to creating opportunities that foster stability, empowerment and lasting change in the community.
Board Treasurer, Alexander Simpson, Attorney, Go With Canvas Alexander Simpson is a devoted legal professional and digital transformation advisor with a strong resolve towards empowering youth and guiding them towards more successful futures. He is deeply motivated by Tiffany Brown’s mission to uplift children of incarcerated families through mentoring and educational programs. An Alumnus of Northwestern University, Simpson serves as a Digital Transformation advisor at Go with Canvas, a boutique law firm specializing in providing legal services to start-ups and big tech companies. In addition to his civilian career, Simpson is a proud member of the United States Air Force Reserves, serving the position as a Judge Advocate General (JAG). His devotion and work ethic to 3D, his community, and his profession have earned him several awards and recognitions, including: the Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Award, the Detroit Young Professionals Vanguard Award, and Eastern Michigan University’s Young Alumni Award. He has also been acknowledged as Member of the Year and Board Member of the Year for Detroit’s Wolverine Bar Association.Simpson’s dedication to community empowerment and legal expertise has been effective in advancing the mission of 3D. As a board member, he provides critical guidance and mentoring that benefit the children of incarcerated parents. Through his commitment to 3D, Alexander continues to use his skills and resources to make lasting positive impacts on the lives of young people in Detroit, helping to pave the way for the next generation of leaders.
Board Secretary, Dr. Alexandria Pech, Assistant Research Professor, Arizona State University Dr. Alexandria Pech brings both lived experience and professional expertise to advance 3D’s mission. As a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of an incarcerated father, she has dedicated her career to advocating for equitable opportunities for communities affected by incarceration. After meeting 3D’s founder, Tiffany Brown, in 2019, she joined the inaugural cohort of We Got Us Now “Actionists” in 2020 and played a key role in securing the United Way for Southwestern Michigan Racial Equity Fund for 3D in 2022, ensuring the organization’s lasting impact.Since joining Arizona State University in 2022, Dr. Pech has advanced to her role as an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Social Work and the Center for Child Well-Being, where she focuses on systemic change for children and families impacted by incarceration. Her work continues to strengthen 3D’s mission as she helps break cycles of incarceration and create pathways for future generations to thrive.
Board Member, Kiylise Lowe, Chief Dream Officer, The DreamBuilding Consultancy Kiylise Lowe is the founder and CEO of The DreamBuilding Consultancy, dedicated to supporting nonprofits and community-based organizations, including Developing Despite Distance (3D). With over 15 years of experience in advancing equity and inclusion, she specializes in innovative training and facilitation programs focused on adult learning and business development. Her leadership spans roles at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, The Forum for Youth Investment, and Detroit’s Youth Development Resource Center, where she has designed and led equity-focused initiatives and capacity-building efforts. Through The DreamBuilding Consultancy and her work with 3D, Kiylise continues to create transformative programs that empower BIPOC nonprofit leaders, youth workers, and community stakeholders. Renowned for her dedication to fostering equitable solutions, she remains a driving force for community-driven change in Detroit, Michigan.