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Global Ties Detroit Board Chairman Steven Rybicki Honored by Crain’s Detroit Business as 2021 Notable Nonprofit Board Member

March 29, 2021

Global Ties Detroit (GTD) Board Chairman Steven Rybicki has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a 2021 Notable Nonprofit Board Member. The award was given to Metro-Detroit nonprofit board leaders who have delivered innovative programs and initiatives in response to the safety protocols and guidelines that have become a way of life in the wake of the pandemic. While this award is specific to Steven’s leadership throughout the past year, his innovation and commitment to the Detroit community has made Crain’s headlines before.

In 2008, he was profiled as a Crain’s 40 Under 40 leader for guiding Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters into a new era of business while doubling their event capacity. The yacht charter business is owned by Continental Services, Michigan's top corporate dining, refreshments, and events company. Today, he serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Continental, in addition to serving as President of Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters, and since his previous Crain’s feature has led another organization to exceptional growth.

GTD hosts international exchange programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other governmental organizations, universities, and think tanks to promote global exchange and citizen diplomacy. Since joining the GTD Board of Directors in 2007, he has met with dozens of delegations from around the world, welcoming them into his home. Steven has introduced international professionals and changemakers to their Detroit counterparts, turning these introductions into powerful long-lasting relationships and partnerships that are used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. In the process, he has shared his own professional insights, becoming Southeast Michigan’s leading citizen diplomat and advocate for Detroit’s revitalization and place on the global stage.

The U.S Department of State-sponsored Professional Fellows Program is one of Steven’s favorite exchange projects hosted by GTD. A group of dynamic business professionals and civic leaders from Belarus, Russia and other nations visited Detroit for four weeks, living with homestay families such as Steven’s, and participating in work experiences, volunteering, social and cultural activities. Upon the conclusion of the program, Steven joined GTD Board Members and staff in reconnecting with the Belarus delegation and traveled to Belarus (and later to Russia) to meet with U.S. embassy officials. In addition to the professional connections and conferences, the Detroit delegation had the opportunity to understand Belarus’ history, education, economy, and culture better by visiting homes, businesses, universities, museums, and UNESCO sites. For Steven, the best part about the exchange program was being able to visit his former fellows and experience Belarus the same way the exchange participants experienced the United States for the first time.

In 2019, Steven was elected as the Board Chairman, and his passion for international exchange drove him to lead new initiatives such as increasing GTD’s visibility and recognition in the metro-Detroit area to give more Detroiters the opportunity to meet the world. That passion gave him the determination to lead the organization through its most challenging year.

While international travel ceased during the pandemic, international exchange programs never stopped. GTD pivoted to virtual programming and executed a community-based virtual talk series where local leaders shared their expertise and built upon the community’s global connection. Despite the innovative response to COVID, GTD still anticipated nearly 50% revenue loss for its annual fundraiser. Steven guided GTD’s Annual Dinner design, finding new ways to secure much needed funding and attracting new corporate sponsors and patrons. He envisioned and achieved a Virtual Annual Dinner with:

Michigan’s business & diplomatic leaders
- Jerry Norcia, President & CEO, DTE Energy
- U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Emirates John Rakolta
- Mary Kramer, Detroit Crain’s Business
Gourmet meals delivered to attendees’ homes
Live streamed interactive program with interviews, information and entertainment
35% more net revenue than GTD's 2019 fundraiser.

“Steve is a very authentic and community minded person and his leadership of Global Ties Detroit board has been exemplary. The fact that GTD continues to thrive in a global pandemic is in large part due to Steve’s passion and hard work. He leverages his personal energy and builds a solid team to propel the organization forward.” - Jaspreet Singh, Global Ties Detroit Board Member, Director of Supply Chain Management, DTE Energy

“Steven’s exceptional leadership and commitment to international exchange led Global Ties Detroit to success and growth in a year of unprecedented challenges. In 2021 we celebrate 50 years of citizen diplomacy, and thanks to Steven’s leadership, our organization is in a strong position to serve Detroit and the world for 50 more.” - Marian Reich, Global Ties Detroit President

GTD’s Board, staff, and supporters look forward to Steven’s continued leadership and innovation throughout 2021.

Access the full Crain’s article here. Subscription required.

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