Meet the team

Moussa Traore is a highly accomplished professional with a Master's degree in International Development Administration and currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO). Before assuming this role, Moussa made a significant impact as the Executive Director of the Hazel Park a Post Secondary Success coach and a College Advisor at Hazel Park High School, where he earned the esteemed MCAN  Ombudsman Award in 2018 for his outstanding service.

Moussa is the visionary behind the first-ever Post-Secondary Success Coaching Program in Hazel Park, which provides essential support to first-generation college students. His dedication to enhancing college access extends beyond Hazel Park; he co-founded the Detroit Alumni Success Collective (DASC), a highly respected organization focused on improving college access and success in Southeast Michigan.

His leadership and expertise are recognized through his service on the Michigan Association for Evaluation board and the DASC Executive Committee. Additionally, Moussa is an alumni of the prestigious Aspen Institute’s 2023 Southeast Michigan Workforce Leadership Fellowship, reflecting his commitment to educational equity and workforce development.

As a true champion of college access in Southeast Michigan, Moussa's exceptional leadership has profoundly impacted countless students and communities, solidifying his reputation as a driving force for educational success.

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.

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.

Amina Khan joined Hazel Park Promise Zone as a Post Secondary Success Coach in the fall of 2024. Amina recently just completed two years as a college adviser under Michigan College Access Network’s program, AdviseMI. During her time as a college adviser, she worked with the Class of 2023 and Class of 2024 at South Lake High School to get the conversation about college going! Amina assisted with college applications, field trips, rep visits, and financial aid. She was able to get above 50% FAFSA completion for both Class of 23 and Class of 24! Amina asserted that her experience as a college adviser was one of a kind and most meaningful.

Amina attended Wayne State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. As a first generation student, Amina understands what barriers around post secondary higher education can feel like. Her goals are to continue breaking down barriers around college for students who are racially, economically, and academically disadvantaged. She believes it is important to make college accessible to everyone! She believes every student is college material! Amina’s favorite quote is “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, which is Nelson Mandela’s well known saying.

Monica Rattee joined the Promise Program in the Fall of 2014 as it's bookkeeper. Her commitment to youth and ensuring the Promise Program shared its message of supporting youth she began coordinating fundraising and community initiatives to share the program's mission of supporting students to and through college. Monica is a full-time licensed real estate agent, broker, and a certified military relocation professional.