Alumni Council

Co-chair

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  Constance Thomas

  Constance Thomas currently holds the office of Co-Chair of the CFPCA Alumni Advisory Board, and has served in this capacity since 2021. She joined the council immediately after graduation in 2012.  She works as the Campaign Marketing Manager for Detroit Public Schools Community District. Her primary focus is showcasing the 40k students in the 106 schools representing the city of Detroit. Constance's former experience as a Multicultural Marketing Events Coordinator for General Motors helped bring forth new and exciting ideas when engaging with the diverse communities. While at GM she serviced the four GM brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC) and the corporation’s 36 Corporate Diversity programs. Prior to working at GM, Constance was the Event Manager for Cobo Center (now Huntington Place), where she managed the North American International Auto Show, NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner, and the Motor Golf & Travel Show, to name a few.

  Early in her career she was the Public Relations Director for a traveling non-profit youth theatrical troupe in Detroit. Constance worked alongside Detroit native, Margo Williams at Margo Williams and Associates to help enhance brand awareness and publicity of brands such as Molina HealthCare and White Castle and events such as Mix 92.3′s Sista Strut and Toys for Tots.  Continuing in the industry, Constance worked with Arian Reed of Arian Simone Enterprises in social media, public relations, and promotional efforts on national motion pictures such as “Sparkle”, “Mirror Mirror”, “Immortals”, “Act of Valor” and “Step Up Revolution." She also is the Founder and President of Renee Aaron Events, LLC.

  Constance holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Wayne State University 12’ and Masters of Arts in New Media and Journalism from Full Sail University 13’ where her capstone project focused on Education Vs. Fine Arts: Finding the Balance between the Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit School of Arts. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Detroit Alumnae Chapter where she actively serves.

  Constance is a native Detroiter, where she resides with her husband, their four sons and their Shih Tzu, Teddy Riley “Jam” Thomas.

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  Stan Simek

  Stan holds a Bachelor of Arts Radio/TV/Film '93 and Master of Arts in Public Relations and Organizational Communications '06 from Wayne State University / CFPCA. He serves as a Director at Ascension Michigan Foundations and is an emeritus member of the WSU MISB Alumni Council.

  Stan also served on the WSU Alumni board of Director 2017-2021 and is a member of Wayne Loyal and the Old Main Society. He currently serves on the WSU MISB Alumni Council, WSU Alumni Association Board Directors and the WSU CFPCA Alumni Council since 2001. Stan resides in St. Clair Shores and is an avid bicyclist. 

Council

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  Ana Jaquim

  Ana Jaquim is an experienced entrepreneur, performer, and digital marketing professional. Growing up in Mexico, she found her passion for music through one of El Sistema's sister organizations and became dedicated to igniting change for underrepresented communities. During her college journey, she moved to the Metro Detroit Area in Michigan, where she founded the booking agency Preludio Entertainment, to connect and employ string musicians in the area.

  She is a graduate of Wayne State University and holds her Bachelor's of Music in Music Business. Currently is the Director of Marketing & Digital Productions of Chamber Music Detroit, bringing together inspired musicians and passionate listeners for extraordinary chamber music experiences. In her free time, she can be found baking, playing violin, or planning her next adventure.

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  Sasha Johnson

  Sasha Johnson is an experienced professional in Marketing and Social Media Analytics, with over 16 years of experience in the industry. She holds a Master's degree in Arts in Communication (Public Relations and Organizational Communication) from Wayne State University ’10 and a Graduate Certificate in Technology, specializing in Project Management. Sasha's expertise in evaluating market conditions, consumer behavior, and emerging trends, combined with her strategic foresight and analytical prowess, makes her an asset to any organization. She is known for her detail-oriented nature, charismatic leadership, and exceptional critical-thinking abilities, which make her an effective team player. Sasha is committed to ethical hard work and is devoted to being a transformative force for her team and organization. Her multi-faceted personality is highly proficient in time-management and continually seeks ways to give back to her community. 

  Sasha is also the co-founder of African Americans in Marketing (AAIM) and is a member of several groups including the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society, National Black MBA Association, and Digital Analytics Association.

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  Phillip Moss

  Dr. Phillip W. Moss is chair of the creative and performing arts department at University Liggett School. He oversees curriculum and staff development in drama, music and visual arts in a program that spans PreK through 12th grades.

  Dr. Moss is a member of the Educational Theatre Association/International Thespian Society, National Arts Educational Association, Americans for the Arts, Michigan Youth Arts Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

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  Catia Sabak

  Catia Sabak is the communications director at the Detroit Regional Chamber. She leads the Chamber’s media relations efforts and oversees Chamber messaging and communications across print and digital platforms. Sabak also serves on a staff subcommittee of the Chamber’s Equity Task Force. Previously at the Chamber, she served as the communications manager and integrated marketing specialist, supporting editorial strategy and the project management and production of marketing campaigns and materials for programs including MICHauto and the Detroit Promise, as well as signature events like the Mackinac Policy Conference and State of the Region.

  Prior to joining the Chamber, Sabak was a senior account executive at public relations agency, Finn Partners, leading media relations, social media content creation and moderation, and reporting for clients in the health care, economic development and real estate, telecommunication, and nonprofit industries.

  Sabak graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Wayne State University. She is a board member of the Detroit Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts Alumni Council.

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  Chris Simpson

  Chris Simpson graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelors of Music with a focus in Music Business.(22’) During Chris’s time at Wayne State, Chris had previously held jobs/ internships working for Live Nation, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Axis Music Academy, Benow. Media, Detroit Sound Conservancy and Warner Music Group. Chris was selected a candidate for the top 10 Artist Manager’s through the Motown Music Accelerator program. Chris is also one of the cofounders of the WSU student run record label Old Main Records.

  Chris is currently Business Development Manager at Gen Admission spearheading the development of education and partnerships to provide music business resources to the next generation of music business professionals. Chris holds the role as Patron Engagement Manager at the Flint Institute of Music and is the co-founder of SayHeySounds, a music studio and music sync company.

  Chris maintains an active role as an educator and performer. Chris has served as a mentor for 1520 Vision and currently serves on the Alumni Council for the College of Fine Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University. Chris is also one of Detroit Community Curators for the Digilogue. Previously Chris has held positions on Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Next Gen Committee and the Michigan Music Alliance.

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  Tara Tomcsik-Husak

  Tara Tomcsik-Husak is the President and CEO of the Troy Chamber of Commerce serving over 700 businesses/nonprofit organizations in her role. In addition, she is also the Founder and CEO of Feline Fund, a nonprofit that funds veterinary care to feral, rescued, and pet cats in need throughout metro Detroit.

  Her career started in hospitality, working in operations and sales in numerous hotel and restaurant chains in Michigan and New York City, yet she was most passionate about making the world a better place in the non-profit sector. She transitioned into the nonprofit world serving as the Vice President of Mission Advancement for the American Heart Association and then as the Executive Director of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

  Tara was recognized in 2018 as one of Oakland County’s 40 under 40, in 2022 as Corp! Magazine’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award, and in Crain’s Detroit Business 2022 Class of Notable Women in Nonprofits.

  In addition, her work as an actress provided her with the ability to travel the world. Performing professionally in theatres and concert halls in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Poland, Alaska, Hawaii, NYC, and Michigan. You may have seen her in many local/national commercials, films, and TV shows such as "All My Children" and the "Detroiters." She is also the current host of a podcast series, "Members on the Mic."

  Tara graduated with degrees in Communications and Peace and Conflict Studies from Wayne State University in Detroit. In animal welfare, she also an Apprenticeship for Feline Lifesaving with Maddie's Fund and teaches conflict resolution and customer service to animal shelters and rescues across the country.