Christina Toma is an Analyst at Ford Motor Company and has also been a very active member of the Detroit Economic Club over the last three years. She was the first to complete the Young Leader Certificate Pilot Program at the DEC, and has recruited many to volunteer for the Career Readiness Academy. With her determination and resilience, she works to raise awareness for the DEC and plans to expand her role with the organization in the future.
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Over the last few years, Christina found herself some unique opportunities with DEC, such as being on stage with Judi Holler at the 2019 Young Leader Conference, volunteering and being captain for the Career Readiness Academy, and piloting the Human Resources group with DEC Connect.
Outside of being a young leader at the DEC, she also holds four college degrees; an Associates of Arts in General Studies from Macomb Community College, a Bachelor’s of Arts in Business Management from Walsh College, a Master Bachelor’s of Arts from Walsh College, and a Master’s of Science in Strategic Management from Walsh College. It was through her advisor at Walsh College that Christina heard about and eventually got connected with the DEC.
She is the oldest of four children; with two sisters and a brother. Her parents immigrated from Iraq and met each other in America, where they barely had the opportunity to adjust to the culture shock before starting a family.
Christina credits her parents for her resilience growing up as she recalls being bullied in high school and the challenge it posed on her academic growth. It was due to their support that she eventually found herself taking a break from a struggling college experience and moving on to cosmetology school, where she found her love for business.
Using this new passion to drive herself, Christina took classes to boost her GPA to transfer to Walsh, where she was given a second chance. During this time, she worked a part-time stylist job while also interning through college. She reflects on these years “I went from barely passing high school to graduating from grad school with a 3.6+ GPA. It took me eight years to complete my undergraduate degree, and only one year to complete both of my master’s degrees. Not only did Walsh better my life and situation, but it brought me to the Detroit Economic Club.“
Throughout these years, Christina made a priority of volunteering in her community and for the DEC, which she still does to this day. One of these is a youth refugee mentoring program called E’Rootha, where she mentors and tutors ESL students at local junior high schools.
A little bit more about Christina:
When I reflect on a moment that I am proud of, I think of…
“Graduating with my BA in Business Management from Walsh.”
As I continue to grow, I am hopeful for…
“Opportunities where I can use my story to make a difference for generations to come.“
During my free time, I …
“Volunteer, network professionally, and spend what free time I have left with my family and friends.”
If I could give advice to my 20-year-old self, I would say…
“You can do anything you set your mind to. There is nothing that you cannot do!“
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