AYE People
Meet the dedicated people behind the organization
 David Abramson Vice President
David Abramson is a partner with his wife Ellen and oldest daughter in a business that sells printed promotional materials to the radio and television industries. Outside of his professional career, David is committed to making a difference in the community. His mission on earth is to create a world where all children are known and loved, celebrated and treated as precious. To that end he is very active in his support of the Challenge Day organization.
Abramson and his wife have been married for 20 years and live in Ann Arbor, Mich. They have two daughters together. His daughter from his first marriage is 35 years old.
 Margaret Steele Secretary
Margaret Steele has more than 30 years of experience in elementary and secondary education in the public school system. Prior to her retirement in July 2006, she served as High school Choral Director, Fine Arts Supervisor and an Assistant Principal for the Grosse Pointe Public Schools.
Steele, an active member in the faith community, enjoys gardening, piecing together jigsaw puzzles and traveling. Besides giving back to the community, her greatest joy is “being with my family.”
Jean Ritok, Executive Director
The second of 10 children, Jean Ritok has spent her professional career in various global projects in the field of information technology. She participates in numerous community activities affecting the environment and the lives of children.
She runs a major global outsourcing project from her home office in Grosse Pointe, Mich. and brings transformational programs to the Great Lakes area.
Ritok’s specialty is workshops for teens that celebrate diversity, truth and full expression.
Her proudest accomplishments are raising two daughters and rafting the Colorado River, both in partnership with her husband of 30 years, Joe.
 Robert G. Cooper President
Robert has been teaching Japanese for the Detroit Public School System since 1986. He loves to inspire people to take on growth and development through study, journal writing, meditation, travel and transformational programs.
Robert is married to Samella and has a nine-year-old son, Kwesi from a previous relationship.
 Susan Finan Administrative Assistant
Susan brings a background of both education and business to the board. A commitment to making a difference in her community has led her to work in various capacities with The Challenge Day Workshop programs in the Metro Detroit, the Interracial League of the Grosse Pointes, her daughter’s school as a parent volunteer and her faith community.
Her husband of 27 years, Mike supports and joins her in these endeavors along with their greatest joy Emily, their 21 yr old daughter.
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