Adelaide Pascaris is the Senior Manager of Local and Community Affairs for ITC Holdings Corp. and implements organizational strategy in the southeastern Michigan region and enhances relationships with area communities and local government groups and officials. She also oversees partnerships with charitable organizations, has held positions in information technology, and is a certified project management professional.
PODCASTS:
July 26, 2021 ~ Adelaide Pascaris speaks with Guy Gordon about her position as Senior Manager of Local Government and Community Affairs with ITC Holdings Corp. and how she enhances relationships with area communities to advance her organization\’s philanthropic priorities. Adelaide also talks about her recent appointment as one of the Detroit Economic Club’s 2021 Rising Stars.
Adelaide also serves as Vice President for the Wayne State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. As a Wayne State University Alumni Association Board Vice President, she plays an active role in guiding the efforts and initiatives of the Alumni Association and creates meaningful connections for all alumni. As the Nominations Committee Chair, Adelaide found her calling as a DE&I champion in bringing together existing board members, Wayne State University staff, and faculty to form one of the most diverse Alumni Boards in the history of Wayne State University.
She is a board member of Advancing Women in Energy, an organization that recruits, promotes, and empowers women in the energy industry through education, networking, and mentoring. Adelaide is a board member of the Eight Mile Boulevard Association Board, a socioeconomic conduit of 13 communities and 3 counties, a span of 27 miles along the 8-Mile Rd corridor with representation from local government, businesses, and community leaders to work together to revitalize and drive economic growth in the corridor. Adelaide is a passionate mentor who frequently volunteers with the Michigan Science Center, the Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan, and the Distributive Education Clubs of America.
In her involvement with the DEC Young Leaders, Adelaide is a current mentor for International Academy-East students with the Detroit Economic Club Career Readiness Academy and is on the Speaker Committee for the Young Leaders Conference.
Adelaide is a public speaker, has appeared on several panels with the Detroit Economic Club Young Leaders Professional Development, Wayne State Alumni Town Halls and Warrior Conversations, DTE Women in Energy panel, and was recently a speaker at the Coalition of Minority Professional Engineering Societies and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 2021 Professional Development Conference. In the past, Adelaide has appeared on PBS kids, in the Curious about Careers show.
Outside of her work at ITC, Adelaide is the Founder and Board Chair for Mission You. Mission You is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in February of 2020 with the mission to alleviate poverty for the most vulnerable members of society both domestically and internationally. Since its inception, Mission You has helped over 100 individuals with basic needs such as food and shelter. During the COVID crisis, Mission You has provided rent assistance for Southeast Michigan residents.
Adelaide is a Leadership Detroit Class 40 alumna. Adelaide was selected to the Oakland County Elite Executive’s 2019 40 Under 40 program and was named as one of Michigan’s 2021 Most Valuable Millennials by Corp! Magazine. Adelaide was recognized as a 2020 Distinguished Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter for her volunteer work with Wayne State University. Adelaide is a results-oriented, innovative, a servant leader, and kind.
Adelaide was recently accepted to the prestigious Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development, a fast-track alternative to the executive MBA which she plans to complete in Q3 of 2022.\”
A little bit more about Adelaide:
When I reflect on a moment that I am proud of, I think of…
\”Being accepted to Harvard Business School\’s Executive Education Program. When I emigrated from my birth country of Albania over 20 years ago, I never thought that one day I would end up in one of the world’s top-ranked educational institutions. I recently mentored a high school student who had Harvard at the top of her college application list but hesitated because she was afraid that she would not get in. I encouraged her to apply anyway. I told her that \’even if you do not get in at 18, you may have a pretty good chance at 38 (like myself). If I can do it, you can do it too.\’ Dreams can become a reality through hard work, grit, and determination.\”
As I continue to grow, I am hopeful for…
\”Opportunities to make a difference by helping solve important problems, to provide sustainable infrastructure solutions through collaboration, and advocacy with governmental agencies, business leaders, and communities.\”
During my free time, I …
\”Run a nonprofit organization with my siblings, cheer loudly as a soccer mom to my two daughters, travel and discover new places, and connect with individuals from different backgrounds.\”
If I could give advice to my 20-year-old self, I would say…
\”Take more chances. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. Everything will work out in the end.\”
20 years from now, I see myself…
\”Continue to help solve problems that impact positive change. I could see myself becoming an angel investor, as I am passionate about innovation, technology and mentorship. In 20 years, I hope to also have more time to engage in philanthropic work and to travel the world.\”
