WDET-FM 101.9 General Manager Michelle Srbinovich and Sean Gray, business support services director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses' Detroit program, were recently selected into the 2015-16 Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

Srbinovich and Gray are among 76 Marshall Memorial Fellows -- 42 from Europe, 34 from the United States -- recently announced by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). The fellowship is GMF's flagship leadership development program.

The GMF grants fellowship awards to leaders from all sectors, including business, government and civil society. Fellows engage in six months of preparation designed to enhance their understanding of transatlantic relations before embarking on 24 days of policy immersion.

"It is an incredible honor to represent Detroit as a Marshall Memorial Fellow," said Srbinovich (pictured, left). "There are so many amazing young leaders here, and I feel fortunate to have even made it through to the interview process."

Gray said he is excited about the opportunity to learn more about economic development and other cultures across the Atlantic. Gray was raised in an entrepreneurial family and has worked in small business development for more than 10 years.

"The greatest part of being selected for the opportunity is that the program has so many lessons to teach me professionally and personally," said Gray (pictured, right). "I'm genuinely excited to participate in the important work of cultural and intellectual exchange with professionals from varied backgrounds."

Fellows were selected from 700 nominations across 39 countries in a highly competitive process, with just 10 percent of nominated candidates selected for the prestigious fellowship. In total, this year's fellows represent 21 European countries and 17 U.S. states.

"My parents immigrated here as children from a tiny village in Macedonia for a better life. Sharing the news with them and the rest of my family was an emotional moment," Srbinovich said. "This wouldn't be possible without the sacrifices they made to create a better future for me, and the work ethic and integrity they instilled from an early age."

Srbinovich said she will use her time during the fellowship to explore the future of media and its role in creating informed and engaged democratic societies, the impact arts and culture can have on revitalizing communities, immigration and integration policies, inclusive redevelopment in cities, and the democratization of institutions.

"My aspiration has been to build a highly engaged public media organization here in Detroit that continues to inspire and mobilize our region and share Detroit's voices with the world," Srbinovich said. "I look forward to refreshing my thinking abroad, sharing Detroit's stories with other leaders, and bringing back new ideas to our city and region."

Gray agreed.

"I am eager to bring back the lessons I learn to continue supporting entrepreneurs in Michigan," he said.