Meet the UDCA Board Candidates   Recently Updated!

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Meet the Candidates

The Elections Committee is pleased to report that we have 8 qualified candidates for the 5 positions that will be open to serve a 2026 – 2028 term. You can Meet the Candidates via a Zoom session on Wednesday, October 29 from 8-9pm.

Board Election

In October, ballots and related materials will be printed and hand-delivered to all households whose UDCA membership is current/paid. They will be in a distinctive envelope and marked “UDCA Board Election”.

Candidate Statements

MARGRIT ALLEN 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you?  
    • As a native Detroiter, my roots in this area run deep. I grew up in the Bagley neighborhood and attended  Gesu School from kindergarten through eighth grade, followed by Cass Tech for high school. I continued  my education at Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy, anchor institutions that have  shaped both this city and this neighborhood. My connection to the University District began early as a  Gesu student. Most of my friends lived here, and I spent my childhood walking these streets and building  friendships in this community. In third grade, when I would visit my best friend at her beautiful historic  home on Oak Drive, I decided that someday I would be her neighbor. That dream took root and grew  stronger over the years. It became more than a childhood fantasy; it was a concrete goal. Though it took  decades, that dream was finally realized in 2024 when I became a resident of Muirland, Block 5. I love  this city and neighborhood deeply. I am a Detroiter: born, raised, and remained- with great intentionality.  Even in the face of taxes and insurance rates that far surpass the suburbs’ in many cases, I am proudly  planted here. This deliberate commitment is an exercise of values that drive me to continually invest in  the things that built me, and the people, places, and institutions that shaped who I am today. My passion  for this neighborhood, my love for our city, and my commitment to keeping Detroit’s neighborhoods  thriving drive my desire to serve on the UDCA board.  
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
    • Service has been the cornerstone of my personal and professional journey, and I see joining UDCA as a  natural extension of my lifelong commitment to Detroit. My professional experience combined with my  extensive nonprofit leadership background, positions me to contribute meaningfully to UDCA. I am no stranger to volunteerism, board work, and the dedication required to sustain community organizations. I  bring strategic thinking, coalition-building skills, and a deep understanding of how to leverage resources for community benefit. Most importantly, I bring a commitment to preserving the University District’s  strengths while helping to enhance the intentional community that so many residents have built and nurtured over the years.  
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
    • In my professional work in workforce development and reentry services, I successfully worked in  coalition with other supporting organizations to advocate for the repeal of a law that banned  Michiganders with certain convictions from lifetime eligibility for food assistance. This policy change  removed a significant barrier that prevented people from rebuilding their lives after justice involvement.  The campaign required building unlikely alliances, navigating complex political dynamics, and centering  the voices of those most affected. This achievement demonstrated what is possible when we organize,  advocate, and refuse to accept policies that perpetuate cycles of poverty. It reinforced my belief that  systemic change requires both individual commitment and collective action, all principles that I would  bring to serving the University District. 

DANIELLE BLUFORD 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you? 
    • I love this neighborhood and feel proud to call it home. My dad grew up on Parkside many moons ago, and  it was a dream of mine to live here. I value the diversity, history, and the many stories and people that  make up our community. I also work at University of Detroit Mercy across the street, so this neighborhood  truly feels like home to me in every way. 
  • Why do you want to be a Board member? 
    • I already see myself as an advocate for the neighborhood and would love to deepen connections among  residents, local businesses, and our neighboring institutions: UDM, Marygrove, and the Kresge  Foundation (to come down the road). I’m a natural connector and enjoy bringing people and ideas  together to make our community even stronger and more connected. Community involvement has always been important to me. I grew up active in my synagogue and youth  volunteer programs, and I continue to stay engaged through initiatives that build community. Currently,  I’m involved with the Puritan Avenue Business Association through my master’s program, supporting  efforts to revitalize that corridor. I also volunteered for three years at the MUFI urban farm in New Center  and currently serve on the UDCA Membership and Home Tour Committees. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements. 
    • Professionally, I’m proud of my work in fundraising at University of Detroit Mercy, where I’ve been for a  year and a half. While I’ve done other kinds of community-based fundraising before, this is my first formal  role in the field, and it’s been both challenging and deeply rewarding. I enjoy building relationships and  supporting meaningful work through philanthropy. I’m also proud to be pursuing my master’s degree part time while working full time—it’s been busy, but a very rewarding experience to meet and spend time with  people doing amazing things all across the city. I’d love to further share that energy and connections with  our neighborhood! 

CHRISTINA CARROLL 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you? 
    • I have always made giving a portion of my time & skills to causes in the community a priority. First,  as a fitness instructor & small business owner, I was able to teach classes often in support of  community causes (and still can!). Second, I became involved with the University District  Community Association in 2021 and have been compiling & distributing the email newsletter to (as of today) over 1,600 subscribers for the last four years (hi, it’s me!). Third, I proudly enrolled my  eldest in the neighborhood school – Palmer Park Prep – this year and have enthusiastically  volunteered with the PTA.  
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
    • I’m a 7+ year resident of the University District and I hope to make it my home for decades to  come. I have a proven track record of volunteering my time to support the mission of the UDCA  and as I have more time available, I’d like to devote it in service to this wonderful community. I am eager to hear from my neighbors about how the UDCA can better support them and their  community goals.  
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
    • Before moving to Michigan, I worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for 10 years as a Senate Press  Secretary. While there, I completed an MBA at Georgetown University which I put to use in opening a  small fitness business in downtown Detroit in early 2018. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of that business, the community I built and the small business support system I fostered over those 2+ years was one of my most significant achievements. 

DINAH DITTMAN 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you? 
    • I am a “roll up your sleeves” type of leader; I take action to connect with neighbors and to address their  concerns. I don’t ask people to do something that I wouldn’t do myself, and I’m happy to help people  learn and grow through service. I also like to create opportunities for newcomers to connect with long term residents and foster cohesion. I grew up in Michigan and have always loved Detroit, but had to leave  for career opportunities. My husband and I were thrilled to move here in 2019 and start renovating our 1935-built home. We hired Detroiters to do the work with us as often as we could.  
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
    • I was first elected to the Board in December 2022. Before running in that election, I started volunteering  with Membership in 2019 and am still involved. In 2022 and 2024, I Co-Chaired the University District  Home Tour and we mobilized over 100 wonderful volunteers to create successful and inclusive events in  our neighborhood. I am active on the Beautification Committee, with the transformation to native  perennial, pollinator-friendly plants in flowerbox at Curtis & Livernois (SavOn parking lot) and am the  Liaison with the City of Detroit and Detroit Parks Coalition on the renovation and reopening of Belden Santa Maria Park. In January of this year, my fellow Board members nominated me to fill the role of Vice President, and it is my privilege to serve you in that role. I have enjoyed my first term on the Board and am seeking re-election to continue to contribute to the momentum we are building. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
    • For UDCA, I worked on Membership systems, starting in 2019. I observed gaps in operations and  confusion as to how software programs worked. Volunteers were hesitant to interact with the software, at  the same time that UDCA was relying more on online tools to promote membership, collect payments, etc. Given my professional background in business management and familiarity with technology and  human-centered design, I could see that continuing down that path would further confuse and  potentially alienate residents from supporting UDCA financially. I led the process to migrate back to  software-supported manual systems, which volunteers are familiar with and saved approximately $600 in  annual software subscription fees. I partnered with the Membership Committee co-chairs and volunteers to sort out a path forward. The result is an increase in membership, engagement and revenue, with numbers growing from around 120 in 2021 to 365 at the end of September 2025. An increase of 104 members in 2 months came as a result of a postcard reminder campaign that I developed and implemented in July 2025. The result of this work is that UDCA has an increasingly predicable revenue  source from membership to support social events, business operations, communications. Through a  software donation of QuickBooks that I secured, a team of volunteers are working on implementation.  The result will be UDCA having easy-to-access data, clearer reporting, and a better balance of manual vs automated work for volunteers. 

JONATHAN GLYMPH 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you?  
    • I’m a proud fifth-generation University District resident whose family roots here date back to the late 60s.  My grandfather raised children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren in UDCA, and I’m honored to  carry that legacy forward. With a deep love for this community and a fresh perspective, I’m excited to use  my experience to help new residents feel the same sense of belonging and pride that my family has cherished for decades. 
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
    • I want to make the UDCA experience unforgettable for every neighbor—whether they’re just arriving or  moving on. My vision is to launch a Membership Experience Committee that creates warm welcomes,  meaningful connections, and heartfelt farewells. Everyone in our community should feel valued, seen,  and celebrated. I’ve been honored with the Spirit of Detroit Award for my service. I’ve proudly volunteered  with Motor City Makeover and participated in many beautification projects across the city. Giving back  and building stronger communities is part of who I am. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
    • I launched a business unit dedicated to supporting diverse business owners—helping them increase  year-to-date sales by an average of 20%. Seeing their success grow has been one of my proudest  professional and personal accomplishments. 

JENNIFER PEEPLES 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you?  
    • I am go-getter! Since moving into the district in 2019, I have been committed to collaborating and pitching  in wherever needed. My goal is to continue being a reliable, approachable voice for our neighborhood and  to help keep our community connected and thriving. 
  • Why do you want to be a Board member? 
    • I have had the privilege of serving on the Board for the past year and a half, including as Board Secretary  and on the Membership Committee. Continuing to serve on the Board allows me to contribute to making  our neighborhood a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and proud to live. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
    • One of my proudest accomplishments is the work I’ve helped with on the Membership Committee. To  find ways to engage and connect with neighbors has been exciting and so rewarding. Whether helping  plan gatherings, supporting with getting the word out, or stepping in wherever needed, I’ve been able to  strengthen relationships and foster a greater sense of community. 

KATHLEEN SAMUL 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you? 
  • I have lived in Detroit my entire life. I support the Riverfront Conservancy, the various Detroit museums,  and arts and cultural organizations. I support businesses in the city and try to be a good citizen. I’ve been  a University District resident since 1977 and active volunteer in my community and internationally. 
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
  • I am presently serving on the UDCA Board. I was asked to step in and fill a vacancy; that term ends in  December 2025. I recently accepted the appointment of Co-Chair of the University District Historic  Home Tour 2026 and look forward to the opportunity. I think it’s important to support the work of our  community association. It’s important to make sure that our neighbors feel supported in all areas. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements. 
  • I have been an educator for 50 years, working with children and their families, professionally and as a  volunteer. As a teacher, I successfully communicated with students, parents, colleagues, and  administrators for many years. I received many lovely letters from students, families, and fellow teachers.  I also was Teacher of the Year and received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Cranbrook  Educational Community. As a volunteer, I spent many years serving with an international organization,  Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV). As a member of CISV, I planned international  educational multi-cultural programing for young children, teens, and adults. I am a past President of CISV USA and of CISV Detroit.  

NAVNEET STRICKLAND 

  • Why should UDCA Members vote for you? 
  • UDCA members should vote for me because I am committed to strengthening our community through collaboration, advocacy, and inclusive leadership. I bring years of experience serving on professional and organizational boards, where I have led initiatives that improved engagement, transparency, and  measurable outcomes. I believe in listening to all voices, creating solutions that reflect community priorities, and ensuring that UDCA continues to thrive as a strong, connected, and forward-thinking organization. I have extensive experience with community service. I have worked on multiple health equity initiatives, such as improving access to pain management for underserved populations, creating wellness programs for healthcare workers, and advancing education on opioid safety. Beyond healthcare, I have volunteered with neighborhood groups, supported local schools, and served on professional organization boards  where I built programs to support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Why do you want to be a Board member?  
  • I want to be a Board member because I am passionate about building a vibrant, safe, and engaged  community. Serving on the UDCA Board will give me the opportunity to contribute my leadership skills,  professional expertise, and dedication to service in a way that directly benefits my neighbors. I value  teamwork, advocacy, and long-term planning, and I see Board membership as a way to help shape  UDCA’s future. 
  • Tell us about one of your most significant achievements.  
  • One of my most significant achievements was leading a community-based health initiative that brought  life-saving naloxone kits to underserved neighborhoods in Detroit. By working with local leaders,  healthcare providers, and residents, I helped establish accessible distribution stands and educational  outreach. This project not only saved lives but also built trust and reinforced the message that our  community is cared for.

Purpose of the Board

The purpose of the UDCA Board is to:

  • Maintain and support the neighborhood integrity;
  • Promote active partnership and membership;
  • Coordinate cultural and family events;
  • Maintain and enforce zoning ordinances and equitable tax assessments related to the use of property in the District;
  • Promote and monitor public improvements;
  • Facilitate regular communications among the members;
  • Represent the District concerning property taxes, levies, etc.