LEADING BY EXAMPLE

ZENNA ELHASAN JD '04 Kresge Foundation, General Counsel

"It’s very rare that you graduate from law school and have an opportunity to oversee and lead major development projects in the city that you love,"said Zenna Elhasan '04. Currently, Elhasan serves as General Counsel for the Kresge Foundation in Detroit; however, she has been leading and serving since she graduated from Detroit Mercy Law almost two decades ago.

Elhasan credits her education at Detroit Mercy Law for forming her into a servant-leader. “Detroit Mercy Law allowed me to participate in law clinics and externships to get real life experience in practice that enhanced my learning and challenged me as a law student. This provided me with the opportunity to not only learn academics but also learn important leadership and service skills that translated into my career after law school.”

“My first year of law school, I was appropriately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of reading, assignments, and work. Over the course of my first year, I learned to manage my time. These lessons in time management will serve me well for a lifetime.”

Elhasan explained that being a leader is not only about delegating, but also doing work with her team. “I believe a great leader is one who influences those around them to become better at what they’re doing. I have led by the principle of never asking others to do what I wouldn’t do myself.”

During her time at Detroit Mercy Law, Elhasan had the opportunity to meet leaders who would influence her for years to come. "I met some of the most prominent leaders in the field through taking courses, attending learning opportunities hosted by the law school, and networking through the incredible alumni group. These connections helped me discover my first job out of law school."

Being a leader for Elhasan is not only about having influence on others, but also being open to learning from other leaders and those she is leading. “I have had the good fortune of learning how to lead and make decisions from some of the best mentors and managers over the course of my career,” she said.

“I have learned to build on the strength of others and acknowledge their skills, values and contributions. There is so much joy in lifting others and leading them, or at least helping lead them to the success they want to achieve. I believe greatly in empowering others and giving them the ability to contribute to decision making.”