Welcoming the 2023 SIC Challenge leads
Get to know our new Leads for the 2023 Social Innovation Challenge!
In preparation for the upcoming year’s SIC, six dedicated Support Team Members recently took on new roles as Challenge Leads. We look forward to their leadership next fall as they guide the organizing team in putting on a phenomenal program for our 12th Cohort of Social Innovators. We would love to give a warm welcome to Erin, Andrew, Abbie, Turner, Abby, and Anne!
Andrew
Business, Class of 2025
Co-President
What do you hope to get out of the experience?
What has surprised me most about optiMize has been the sheer diversity of projects that come through the SIC. There is no one definition for social impact and no one way that it can be achieved, and I am excited to develop my knowledge of entrepreneurship and social strategy as I continue to engage with teams.
What are you excited for this year? I am excited to see what great new ideas come through the SIC and to discover the new ways that optiMize can support them in their work. I am also excited to work alongside fellow challenge leads to continue optiMize’s mission and develop the sense of community that I have already experienced in the organization.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? “Dog Years” by Maggie Rogers
Erin
Organizational Studies & UX Design, Class of 2025
Co-President
Why did you want to join Leadership Team? I wanted to see people's projects turn from ideas into reality. I wanted to see their passion and interests in helping people come to life, which I think is a unique experience. The optiMize open and supportive culture was ultimately why I wanted to continue being in the organization.
What impact do you hope to make on the organization? I hope to continue to promote the optiMize culture through creating a welcoming environment for everyone. The optiMize culture was what really made me want to stay, and I hope that I'll be able to leave and construct the same experience for future members.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift
Abbie
Economics with Minors in Statistics and Community Action & Social Change, Class of 2025
Community and Organizational Culture
Why did you want to join the leadership team? I loved support team and wanted to become involved in the mechanics in the SIC to further promote our question of "why not me?". Joining the leadership team also gave me the opportunity to be inspiring to other Michigan students looking for their home.
What skills are you looking forward to developing? I hope to grow into a part of umich that values the importance of social impact and the importance of our small but special communities at this university. In this position I will further my communication and collaboration skills in order to ask myself the questions that optiMize holds so dear.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? "The Middle" By Jimmy Eat World
Turner
Business, Class of 2025
Mentorship
Why did you join optiMize? I found myself interested in joining a positive community looking to make a unique impact on the business and social innovation worlds.
What impact do you hope to make on the organization? I hope to leave a positive impact that allows future SIC leads to more efficiently and effectively fulfill their obligations as members of the leadership team. On a daily basis, I hope to make everyone's day better by engaging with the optiMize community.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? “Yellow” by Coldplay
Abby
Business with UX Design minor, Class of 2025
Creative
Why did you join optiMize? I joined optiMize because I was really interested in the social impact side of innovation. I loved the positive energy at each workshop as well as how inclusive the community was. It was always so fun to attend every optiMize event and I always left super inspired by everyone's projects and passion to be here
What are you excited for this year? I'm excited to meet more people, both participants in the SIC and staff in optiMize! I'm also looking forward to seeing new SIC projects develop, as well as new initiatives from the optiMize leadership team.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
Anne
Biochemistry, Class of 2025
Tech-Ops
Why did you join optiMize? I found out about optiMize when I was researching the school when applying. I saw our website and absolutely loved our motto "why not me." Seeing some of the past projects, I was curious and excited and learn more about what optiMize is about.
What impact do you hope to make on the organization? I want to join in and amplify our effort to promote positive impact and social entrepreneurship. As the incoming Tech-Ops Challenge Lead, I hope to continue the work to create memorable user experiences and make processes during the challenge smoother.
What is the intro song to the movie of your life? “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
Our new Social Innovation Leads are excited to get to know and work with everyone! Join us in welcoming them to the community!