Proudly declaring herself “a progressive byproduct of the Detroit Public School system,” DR. DANIELLE CATO-BENSON has tapped her expertise in business, communications and counseling to launch a powerful assortment of innovative businesses. She is founder and chief executive of the mental health resorts HealHER Virtual Spa and 1:11 THE COLLECTIVE, the latter constituting a brick-and-mortar space providing wellness services expressly designed for adults. As co-founder of Kaydense Galleria, she transformed the suburban Detroit clothing retailer into an elegantly affordable fast fashion boutique. Demonstrating her gift for outside-the-box thinking, Dr. Cato-Benson helped conceive and launch The Pose Experience, the self-styled “selfie boutique” and event space showcasing curated environments where customers can stage eye-popping photos for social media sites like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Dr. Cato-Benson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Oakland University, and a Master’s Degree in Community and School Counseling from the University of Detroit. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dr. Cato-Benson is also an inductee of the both the Michigan Chronicle and the Oakland County Elite “40 under 40” registries, she is a two-time recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award. She  hosts the weekly motivational message series Word Up Wednesday, and is a chartering member of W.I.N (Women InvestHER Network) where she serves as the co-chairman. Her take-charge philosophy is encapsulated in her personal motto: “I’m not waiting for a drummer. I’ll just make my own beat!”