Nov 16, 2022
“You gotta walk away from the elephant to see that sometimes adversity opens up new opportunities.” Brooke Lites
Denise talks to Brooke Lites, a woman with an established love of learning about to embark on a new career path, and Denise’s daughter! Brooke says her experiences in higher education have been a great foundation for approaching problem solving. Her love of justice and fair-mindedness initially drew her to study law.
The toughest situation she’s faced was her divorce in 2018, which she wasn’t as equipped to handle as she thought. She’s learned that whether the problem is personal or professional, keeping a sense of humor and rolling with the punches help get you through. Stressing the importance of asking for help, she’s grateful to have a strong tribe to lean on; having an emotional support animal was a plus.
She says maintaining confidence is a daily exercise—that and going to the gym to get her endorphins going. She knows herself well enough to see the signs of self-doubt; that’s when she leans into the present moment, changing what she can and accepting what she cannot. Instead of comparing herself to other women who seem like they have it all together, she honors all parts of herself as making her whole.
Brooke credits her mom for always making time for her and staying connected and the two enjoy a wonderful, loving friendship now. Growing up with a mom who ‘did it all’ Brooke knows now that moms are more than the sum of the hats they wear. Seeing her siblings and their spouses enjoy parenthood is a privilege she hopes to one day share.
She says that working on big problems makes room for the opportunity to create big solutions and she reminds us of the words of Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Brooke’s sage advice to her younger self is good medicine for everyone:
- Be more accountable.
- Be softer and kinder with yourself.
- Remember your worth.
- Establish boundaries.
- Put yourself out there; make friends.
- Hit the travel button more!
- Laugh at your mistakes.
Brooke says she’ll proudly represent Detroit forever; stay tuned to learn some of her favorite Motor City moments.
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Brooke Lites, currently studying to become a certified personal trainer, previously owned and founded Boudoir B a luxury and vintage clothing store after working as a substitute teacher in Oakland and Washtenaw County, Michigan. Lites was an anti-bullying educator for Defeat the Label, a nonprofit aiming to end bullying by putting the power to do so in the hands of students. Lites earned a BA at the University of Michigan, a JD at the University of Detroit Law School and a master’s in psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. She resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years. As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world. Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Law School.
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