Staff

Samantha Ellens Preservation Associate Samantha is pursuing her PhD in Anthropology (Archaeology) at Wayne State University. She joined Preservation Detroit in November 2018, where she brings a love for public outreach, community archaeology, and the protection of our shared heritage. Samantha received a Masters in Anthropology from Wayne State as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Windsor. At Wayne State, she remains heavily involved with the Unearthing Detroit Project, a community-based initiative dedicated to providing public access to the archaeology of the city. Email samantha@preservationdetroit.org

Samantha Ellens
Preservation Associate
Samantha is pursuing her PhD in Anthropology (Archaeology) at Wayne State University. She joined Preservation Detroit in November 2018, where she brings a love for public outreach, community archaeology, and the protection of our shared heritage. Samantha received a Masters in Anthropology from Wayne State as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Windsor. At Wayne State, she remains heavily involved with the Unearthing Detroit Project, a community-based initiative dedicated to providing public access to the archaeology of the city.
Email samantha@preservationdetroit.org

Board of Directors

 
Devan Anderson President | Board of directors Devan joined the Board of Directors in February 2020. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1999, his architecture license in 2007, and is currently a Seni…

Devan Anderson
President | Board of directors
Devan joined the Board of Directors in February 2020. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1999, his architecture license in 2007, and is currently a Senior Project Architect in Quinn Evans’ Detroit Office. He served on the Detroit Historic Districts Commission from March 2001 to April 2018, and was its chairperson from December 2006. Devan has been a resident of Detroit for over 20 years, and was a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award in 2010 for his work with the Detroit Synergy Group. He is also a member of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network and the State Historic Preservation Commission.
Email: danderson@preservationdetroit.org

Richard Summersett Treasurer | Board of Directors Richard joined the Board of Directors, and was elected as Treasurer in October, 2020.  Richard owns and operates his own Accounting and Technology Supports practice, providing Accounting, Tax, and Information Technology services to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and residents throughout Southeast Michigan and neighboring states.  He has a BS degree in Accounting from Wayne State University and enjoys appreciating the rich architectural history and culture throughout much of Detroit.  As a proud Detroit resident and avid cyclist, he routinely explores the city on two wheels, and marvels at its many architectural gems. Email: richard@preservationdetroit.org

Richard Summersett
Treasurer | Board of Directors
Richard joined the Board of Directors, and was elected as Treasurer in October, 2020.  Richard owns and operates his own Accounting and Technology Supports practice, providing Accounting, Tax, and Information Technology services to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and residents throughout Southeast Michigan and neighboring states.  He has a BS degree in Accounting from Wayne State University and enjoys appreciating the rich architectural history and culture throughout much of Detroit.  As a proud Detroit resident and avid cyclist, he routinely explores the city on two wheels, and marvels at its many architectural gems.
Email: richard@preservationdetroit.org

Mark Hall
Director | Board of Directors
Mark Hall, a Detroit native, earned a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from College For Creative Studies in 2019. Mark currently lives near Virginia Park and is restoring a 1916 duplex to its original craftsman style. He is passionate for saving architecturally and culturally significant places here in Detroit. Also in his free time Mark photographs much of Detroit's historic architecture to highlight the beauty of the built environment.
Email: mhall@preservationdetroit.org

Jeff Richards  Director | Board of Directors Jeff joined Preservation Detroit as a volunteer in 2014. He joined the board of directors in early 2016, and was elected as Secretary at the end of 2017. He has a BA degree in Communications from Wayne State University. Jeff has a passion for architecture and historic preservation, particularly in Detroit. He is also an interactive producer, working in online advertising for one of the Big Three. Email jeff@preservationdetroit.org

Jeff Richards
Director | Board of Directors
Jeff joined Preservation Detroit as a volunteer in 2014. He joined the board of directors in early 2016, and was elected as Secretary at the end of 2017. He has a BA degree in Communications from Wayne State University. Jeff has a passion for architecture and historic preservation, particularly in Detroit. He is also an interactive producer, working in online advertising for one of the Big Three.
Email jeff@preservationdetroit.org

Tanya Stephens
Director | Board of Directors

Tanya J. Stephens is a cultural preservationist, independent curator, and art & design historian whose professional career spans over 20 years working in the intersection of art, design, cultural heritage, history and land preservation. 

In 2015, she founded Detroit Curated, a Detroit-based curatorial consulting and cultural arts advisory practice dedicated to promoting Detroit art, design, history, and cultural heritage preservation. (detroitcurated.org)

Email: tanya@preservationdetroit.org

Nate Lindsey
Director | Board of Directors

Nate is a Michigan native who joined Preservation Detroit in 2023. He is a licensed architect who earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture at Illinois Tech in Chicago in 1995. He lived and worked in New York for many years and and has been working in Detroit since 2016. Nate’s work experience is primarily in adaptive-reuse and preservation projects and he has long been researching the history of high-rise buildings. Driven by a deep interest in cities and in architecture, he has spent much of his free time exploring and documenting cities by foot and by bicycle for over 35 years.

Alex Hill
Director | Board of Directors

Alex B. Hill is a Director of Data and Community Research. His work highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director of the Detroit Food Map Initiative, which has been mapping food access locations in Detroit since 2011. Alex started DETROITography (detroitography.com) in 2013 to bring together Detroit cartographers and their work. He teaches in urban studies, public health, geography and data visualization. Alex is the author and cartographer of the books, Detroit in 50 Maps (2021) and Great Lakes in 50 Maps (forthcoming) from Belt Publishing. He is a contributor to Detroit Public Television's “Great Lakes Now,” Model D Media, among other local media engagements. Alex serves on a number of boards and committees, including the City of Detroit's GO DATA Advisory Commission, Black Bottom Archives Advisory Board, and the Michigan United Way's ALICE Research Advisory Committee.