The people helping Oakland County thrive
Our consultants, staff, and board bring decades of combined experience in business, finance, government, and community development — and a shared commitment to your success.
Meet the team
Camille Walker Banks
Chief Executive Officer
A visionary executive and transformative leader in economic and community development. Previously Executive Director of LISC Detroit, Camille guided multi-million-dollar fundraising and investment efforts that advanced equitable development across Detroit neighborhoods. Her leadership extends to NPower, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. A Wayne State University alumna, Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, and Harvard-certified Leadership and Executive Coach, she is an award-winning changemaker and global speaker dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and inclusive economic opportunity.
Tony Cook
Vice President of Operations
Tony's background spans government contracting, education, EMS, agricultural and pharmaceutical sales. He holds four advanced degrees — a testament to his commitment to continuous learning — and brings resilience, adaptability, and quick thinking to Oakland Thrive's operations.
Gloria Larkins
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Gloria Larkins, CPA/MBA, provides financial leadership, reporting, compliance, and strategic fiscal oversight. President of GJWL Analytics & Associates, she was formerly CFO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Detroit Receiving Hospital, and held senior finance roles at DMC hospitals and the Karmanos Cancer Institute. She earned her MBA and BS from the University of Detroit and completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Kent Spencer
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives
Kent develops corporate, financial, philanthropic, government, and community partnerships to expand resources for Oakland County entrepreneurs. With more than 18 years in economic development, he previously managed a $1.3 billion project pipeline at the Detroit Regional Partnership and supported billions in capital investment at Invest Atlanta. He holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School and a BA in Economics from Wayne State University.
Nia Fields
Senior Manager of Client Engagement & Outreach
With over 25 years of professional experience, Nia is a seasoned marketing and sales expert who drives strategic initiatives and growth. She holds a bachelor's in marketing from Eastern Michigan University, an MSA from Central Michigan University, and an MBA from Michigan State University, and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt fully dedicated to Oakland Thrive's mission.
Angelica Glenn-Martin
Manager of Fund Development & Partnerships
A PMP-certified Project Manager with over 10 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives, Angelica holds an MPA and a BBA in Finance from Eastern Michigan University. She specializes in strategic planning, program development, and cross-functional team management, driving efficiency and sustainable growth for Oakland Thrive.
Marion Green
Executive Administrative Assistant & Board Liaison
Marion joined Oakland Thrive because she believes in the mission to help businesses across Oakland County sustain, thrive, and grow. She supports staff and is grateful to help the public by connecting them with the right resource for guidance or assistance.
Your consulting team
Free, one-on-one guidance from consultants who understand Oakland County's business climate.
Jonathan deSanctis
Manager of Small Business Services
A senior operations and people leader with more than 20 years of experience across human resources, financial services, manufacturing, and economic development. Jonathan provides executive oversight for regional initiatives supporting small businesses across multiple municipalities, and previously served as Vice President and Branch Manager at JPMorgan Chase.
Tracey Williams
Assistant Manager of Small Business Services
A small business advocate with experience in eCommerce, project management, marketing, sales, data evaluation, event planning, and entrepreneurship. Tracey is driven by a vision for an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future and specializes in creating opportunities in emerging trends and untapped niches.
Sairy Garcia
Manager of Global Resources & Entrepreneur Support Programs
Sairy's expertise spans accounting, data analysis, business development, strategic management, and resource planning. She thrives in collaborative environments, helping small businesses grow with resources, planning strategies, and ideas for new opportunities. She was named a 2026 Michigan MVP.
Donna Bauer
Small Business Services & Hospitality Consultant
Oakland Thrive's Hospitality, Retail & Service Industry Specialist and a Business Startup & Turnaround Specialist. Donna helps entrepreneurs launch, strengthen, and transform businesses through strategic planning, financial analysis, and operational improvement. She earned her MBA with a specialization in Finance from Walsh College and previously served as a Culinary Professor.
Justin Ibe
Small Business Services Consultant
Justin's career spans business consultancy, entrepreneurship, and community service. He is instrumental in catalyzing the growth of businesses in Troy and neighboring cities, and through Creek Valley Properties has pioneered innovative solutions in the affordable-housing space in Metro Detroit.
Joyce Kreger
Small Business Services Consultant
An experienced entrepreneur who founded and managed a thriving eCommerce business for 17 years. Joyce has facilitated training for companies including General Motors, McDonald's, and Caterpillar, and held a Chief of Staff role within Ford Motor Company's Enterprise Technology area. She is passionate about helping small businesses.
Drake R. Phifer
Small Business Services Consultant
Through Urban Organic Arts + Culture + Music Co., Drake has earned recognition from The Detroit News, Free Press, Crain's Detroit, Rollingout.com, and Billboard Magazine. He draws on over two decades of experience in small business support and advocacy.
Guiding our mission
Community and industry leaders who steward Oakland Thrive's vision for an inclusive, vibrant economy.
Laura Dodd
Board Chair
Deputy Director of Economic Development for Oakland County. Laura was instrumental in launching Oakland Thrive as its Chief Operating Officer, building core operations from the ground up and securing a $17 million contract with Oakland County to implement the Business Forward small-business program. She holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration from Notre Dame.
John Gardner
Board Member
Founder and owner of Precision Consulting Services LLC, a veteran-owned talent-acquisition firm. With 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, John serves on several boards, including a gubernatorial appointment to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.
Alan Kiriluk
Board Member
Founder and chairman of KIRCO, a Michigan-based commercial real estate development, construction, and property management company established in 1974. Alan is a recognized leader in the real estate industry and in healthcare and transportation community endeavors.
Grace Lee
Board Member
CEO/President of Ashford Connex, LLC and co-founder and former CFO of Logic Solutions, Inc. With over 20 years in accounting and human resources, Grace serves as Vice Chair of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and is a passionate advocate of diversity and entrepreneurship.
Renee Pipis Axt
Board Member
Founder and President of RCP Associates, LLC and SOSWorks. Renee has demonstrated experience in the public and private sectors, including leadership positions within the Wayne County Executive's Office and the Wayne County Airport Authority Board. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Cinnamon Plonka
Board Member
A distinguished civil litigator specializing in complex no-fault, employment litigation, and insurance-fraud cases. A past President of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Cinnamon is deeply committed to community service, including work with Forgotten Harvest.
Want to work with our team?
Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, our consultants are here to help — for free.