Meet the team

Fernando Monge joined the Promise Zone in the winter of 2023 as its new Program Director. In fall of 2024, he moved into the role of Executive Director. For the last ten years Fernando has worked at public and private universities in different capacities including recruitment, multicultural programming and education, and crisis management. Most recently Fernando worked as an Assistant Director for Central Michigan University recruiting high school students from across the Metro Detroit region. Fernando is passionate about working with high school and college students to help them reach their own version of educational success through a social justice and relationship-driven lens.

Originally from Ecuador, Fernando moved to and came of age in Miami, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida International University and a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

In his off time, Fernando teaches pottery to kids and adults of all ages.

Katrina "Kitty" Groeller joined the Hazel Park Promise Zone in Fall 2025. In her role, she designs and leads initiatives that empower Hazel Park School District alumni to persist, succeed, and graduate with a postsecondary credential. Kitty happily wears many hats beyond that programming: managing and leveraging current data for grant and community-level reporting, planning and facilitating events, and travelling to meet with students and fellow professionals, too.

She is currently completing her Ph.D in Sociology, having earned two others in the same department at Michigan State: a B.A. and M.A. Obviously it’s her favorite subject! Her journey in college access and success work began at Orchard View High School in Muskegon, MI, where she served as a College Adviser with the MSU College Advising Corps for the class of 2018 and 2019.

Kitty was born and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. In her spare time, Kitty enjoys a variety of hobbies, such as spending time outdoors birding, creating glass art, and reading Sanderson novels.

Monica Rattee joined the Hazel Park Promise Zone in the fall of 2014 as its bookkeeper. With more than 20 years of financial management experience, she has played a vital role in supporting the organization’s mission and ensuring its long-term success. Her dedication to youth and education quickly expanded beyond financial oversight, leading her to coordinate fundraising efforts, community initiatives, and outreach programs that helped share the Promise Zone’s mission of supporting students to and through college.

Monica is a full-time licensed real estate agent, broker, and Certified Military Relocation Professional. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting, further strengthening her commitment to financial stewardship and organizational leadership.

A passionate advocate for students and families, Monica credits her involvement with the Promise Zone for inspiring her to take on additional leadership roles within the community. Her experience working alongside students, educators, and community partners motivated her to become a school board member, where she continues to champion opportunities that positively impact young people and their futures.

In recognition of her professional accomplishments, leadership, and community service, Monica was honored as one of Oakland County’s 40 Under 40. Whether through her work in education, real estate, nonprofit service, or local government, Monica remains committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and helping create opportunities for future generations.

Shaunti Finley is the Hazel Park High School's new College Adviser for the 2024-2025 school year! Shaunti graduated from Michigan State University in April 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy. She also studied Korean and African & African American Studies at MSU. Shaunti is from Detroit, MI, and a first-generation college graduate. The college-going process was scary and overwhelming as a first-gen student, so she hopes to make that process smoother for all of her students.

Drai Hall is a College & Education Navigator for Oakland80 at Hazel Park Advantage High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and another in Human Resources from Saginaw Valley State University. She has spent over six years working in a youth and family development center, mentoring and supporting disadvantaged youth and families.

Jacob Yonan is a College & Education Navigator for Oakland80 stationed at INVEST Roosevelt Alternative High School. His alma maters are Oakland Community College and Michigan State University, Go Spartans & Owls (OG Raider). In his free time, he loves to be outside and stay physically active, such as going to the gym, taking hikes, or playing just pickup basketball at the park. That however, doesn't stop him from being a homebody. He loves a great movie or TV series! He also loves doing group activities like hanging out with friends, going out with family, or just meeting awesome new people! Jacob loves any & everything sports, especially football (Go Lions).

Ryan Drew joined the Hazel Park Promise Zone in 2024 as their dedicated Web Developer. He is a previous Hazel Park Promise Zone scholarship recipient, which he used to attend the University of Michigan and earn a BSE in Computer Science. Ryan brought his newfound skills back to the Promise Zone to help redesign, develop, and maintain their new website. He hopes that his work makes it easier for students and families to access the resources available to them.

Outside of the Promise Zone, Ryan is a full-stack developer at McGreadie Group, where he develops software that handles the accountability and management of investigational drugs. In his free time, Ryan enjoys video games with friends and playing the bass guitar.