Trade Secrets, a Fun and Inspiring Fundraising Event to Support Gesher Human Services’ Programs Benefitting Women to be Held on April 23, 2026, Troy, MI!

Photo by Yan Krukau

Free, life-changing, Women to Work program, helping metro Detroit women gain skills to quickly gain employment, has informational meeting April 21.

  The 17th annual Trade Secrets event, a fundraiser for Gesher Human Services’ many workforce initiatives for metro Detroit women including career exploration, financial education, computer and support services, will be held at the Detroit Marriott Troy (200 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084) on Thursday April 23 at 6 p.m. The event is an enjoyable and inspiring event, and this year’s honoree and keynote speaker will be community advocate Kristen Gross, a past president of the Board at Gesher Human Services and the founding member and owner of the Law Offices of Kristen R. Gross, P.C. For images click here. To purchase tickets, go to geshermi.org/events.

Trade Secrets is a vital fundraiser for Gesher’s flagship Women to Work program.

The free four-week program has an informational meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Southfield (29699 Southfield Road) on Tuesday April 21 from 9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The program will then be held every Tuesday and Thursday from April 28 until May 21, from 9.30 a.m. until noon. Women to Work provides in-depth vocational assessment, employment-related group counseling, help with networking, resume writing and interviewing and how to use AI in job searches plus much more, all aimed at helping women find jobs quickly whether they are re-entering the workforce or in need of different employment.

One recent graduate of Women to Work, Colleen Finnerty, of West Bloomfield, had been out of the workforce and then became a caregiver for her husband for many years because he had Alzheimer’s Disease. When her husband passed away in July 2025, she knew she wanted to reenter the workforce. “I really needed to be around people, but job applications had changed so much that I didn’t really know where to start,” she says. Finnerty joined the Women to Work program earlier this year and describes it as “inspiring”.

“The women with me were so bright and articulate and we learned so much, all about AI algorithms, how to format resumes, basically everything I needed to apply for a job successfully,” said Finnerty, who now has a job she is enjoying at Whole Foods Market.

CEO of Gesher Human Services, Paul Blatt,

said that Trade Secrets was a wonderful night, celebrating the thousands of women, like Colleen, served each year. “Our honoree Kristen Gross is a fearless advocate for financial stability and independence for women, and that’s what we work to achieve for our participants every day,” he said. “We help them cross the bridge to where they want to be – whether that is towards a new career or buying a home. We’re able to create these life-changing opportunities for women and their families because of the generous support of our community so I go into the evening feeling much gratitude.”

As in previous years, raffle tickets and a silent auction with exciting prizes will be available at Trade Secrets. The silent auction will be accessible to everyone, not just those in attendance, and will go live on April 16, ending on Thursday April 23 at 7:30 PM. Some prize highlights this year include: a $2,000 shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue including Styling by Betsy Gould, light bites and champagne; a $500 Gardner White gift card; two in-person and digital subscriptions to Chamber Music Detroit ($1065 FMV); a one-night stay in a luxury king guest room at the MGM Grand Detroit plus dinner for two at D Prime; and a Florence Knoll Bench by MillerKnoll (FMV $4,000).

Premier sponsors for Trade Secrets 2026 include:

Diamond Sponsors – Globe Midwest/Adjusters International and Anonymous; Sapphire Sponsors – DTE Foundation, Elaine Feldman, Law Offices of Kristen R. Gross, P.C. , Stone Foundation of Michigan and Katie and Evan Leibhan; Ruby Sponsors – Gallagher, skinnytees, Lisa London, Lisa and Brian Meer, Harriet and Richard Shapack and The Torgow Family.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities for Trade Secrets contact Lindsey Fox on 248.233.4343 or email lfox@geshermi.org. For more information on Women to Work go to geshermi.org/events; to register for the program email Women to Work Coordinator Judy Richmond at jrichmond@geshermi.org or call 248.233.4232.

About Gesher Human Services

Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home, and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming, and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community. The organization works with job seekers, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and the broader community to provide the skills, support, and equitable opportunities necessary for people to succeed. Gesher draws on over 110 years of combined experience to facilitate equitable employment opportunities and enhance mental health outcomes for Metro Detroiters. With a network of almost 500 employees and volunteers across more than 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of nearly 34,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.