Founder

Annette Anderson, RN, is the Founder and CEO of 1st Step Healthcare Training, a Detroit-based healthcare certification school dedicated to building the next generation of skilled healthcare workers. A first-generation college graduate and registered nurse, Annette launched 1st Step in 2024 to provide accelerated, affordable pathways into healthcare careers — offering CNA, Phlebotomy, EKG Technician, CPR/BLS, and Pharmacy Technician programs. Since opening, the school has trained 400+ students with a 90% state exam pass rate and strong job placement outcomes. Annette also leads NextStep Workforce Health Foundation, a companion nonprofit expanding access to healthcare education in underserved communities. Her work sits at the intersection of workforce development, community empowerment, and healthcare equity — and she brings the same energy to fundraising that she brings to the classroom: bold, purposeful, and built to last.