Happenstance and luck aren’t the secret ingredients to Danielle’s success — it’s faith. Her unique knowledge in health policy and business management has prepared her for a career in human resources, a perfect fit for someone who is passionate about helping others. Danielle’s Christian values led her to join InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she led bible study sessions and served as communications administrator. This faith-based foundation equipped Jourdan with the confidence to pursue other leadership opportunities. Currently, she serves as president of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), where she mentors underclassmen and helps members attend conferences. She’s also vice president of the Association of Women Veterans. In this role, she hosts packing parties to send care packages overseas, participates in volunteering at local veterans’ homeless shelters and plans workshops. For Danielle, she doesn’t want to be remembered for the awards she’s accumulated, but by the kindness and selflessness her faith continues to teach — and that’s what makes her a Difference Maker.

Danielle, in her own words

On being president of the Society of Human Resources Management. “As the president for the Society of Human Resource Management First, we’ve seen a 50% growth rate in our membership. In the fall, we had about five or six members coming and now we have probably about a consistent number of 15-20 students participating. Some of the things we’ve accomplished this semester specifically was, we were able to go to a few HR professional conferences to network with other HR professionals. We were also more active at mentoring students to figure out what [was] best for them. It's not just HR majors coming to our group. [We have] accounting and supply chain majors as well, and I think we're definitely a group that I think other student leaders notice that are different. We want to help develop better leaders.”

On her defining moment. “My defining moment would have to be joining InterVarsity Christian Fellowship because if I hadn’t, then I wouldn’t have met Nadine, and therefore gotten involved with the Association of Women Veterans. InterVarsity also taught me different ways of helping students like [how to] mentor them and being able to recruit better. I used some of those strategies in how IVCF did their recruitment process and [applied it to] SHRM [Society of Human Resource Management].”

On what makes her a Difference Maker. “I’m the type of person that would actually be out there doing something than actually being recognized. I’m not the type of person that likes the spotlight. If I see a need, I want to meet that need. I’m willing to serve however I can — whether that’s by listening closely to what others have to say and act. I’ve shown that throughout all of my different leadership opportunities. In fact, every organization that I've joined, I've held a leadership role. I’m a UM-Dearborn Difference Maker because I would rather be out there helping people than to have the spotlight. I don’t need an award to know that what I'm doing is glorifying God. At the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I served faithfully, cared deeply and showed God’s love to everyone.”