Detroit PBS’ board recently elected three new members to usher in diverse perspectives, business acumen, and strategic insight to help steer the organization as it contends with the loss of federal funding which was recently passed by Congress. This transition will require thoughtful decision-making by the Detroit PBS governing board. Joining the ranks of Detroit PBS’ board of trustees, Lonnie Edwards, Victoria Kovari, and Elizabeth May will be tasked with helping to guide the organization through these challenging times.

“It is an honor and a privilege to welcome these bright and experienced professionals to our board at this unprecedented time,” said Rich Homberg, president and CEO of Detroit PBS. “With their leadership, deep experience and strong commitment to public media, they bring the passion, determination and energy we need to continue our meaningful work of engaging the community and delivering diverse programming and trusted information.”

About Delonaka Edwards:

Lonnie has devoted nearly 30 years to the financial services industry, with over a decade of her career at Michigan First Credit Union. She currently serves as the chief operations officer, a position she has held since August 2022. In this role she provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the credit union has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people in place to effectively deliver service to its members.

Prior, she served in various roles at Michigan First Credit Union including the assistant vice-president of in-store branch operations, assistant vice-president of the member service center and administrative support manager.

Earlier in her career she worked for First Merit Bank as the assistant vice president and branch manager for seven years; and her first decade in financial services was spent at Flagstar Bank and National City Bank as branch manager.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from Eastern Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School.

She resides in Ypsilanti.

About Victoria Kovari:

Victoria has devoted her entire 40-year career to public service — best known as a national community engagement professional and faith-based community organizer. In her most recent position, she was the outreach and canvassing director for Detroit Votes 2022, leading the campaign to increase voter turnout in the City of Detroit.  Prior to that role, she worked for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as a senior executive assistant, serving as the first general manager of the Department of Neighborhoods and director of the city’s 2020 census campaign.

Earlier in her career, she was a lead organizer for the MOSES organization and the interim president and national field director for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

Victoria graduated from the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s in Social Work.

She resides in Detroit.

About Elizabeth Mays:

For over a decade, Elizabeth has blended innovation and tradition, navigating the corporate landscape of printing and publishing. She currently leads her family-owned printing and publishing business – Mays Multimedia and Valley Publishing Group.

A native Detroiter, she believes in the tradition of giving back to her hometown. Elizabeth is active and serves on the audit committee for Diversified Members Credit Union, as vice president of AIGA Detroit (American Institute of Graphic Arts), on the steering committee at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and as a mentor for Girls Destined for Greater Mentoring Group.

A graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, she has also lectured at Notting Hill College in Cairo, Egypt.

Elizabeth is the co-host of The Creative Voice podcast, interviewing Detroit-based creatives in an effort to inspire current and up-and-coming artists.

She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in film, video, and media services and a minor in graphic and printing science.

She resides in Detroit.