Why She Was Nominated:

Dr. Danyal decided at age 15 that she would be a dentist. Earning her bachelor’s in biology at 19, Dr. Danyal graduated with honors from Detroit Mercy, into whose dental school she was immediately accepted despite lacking a master’s. Now the owner of multiple practices in Metro Detroit, Dr. Danyal employs more than 50 people, including eight dentists.

Tool She Can’t Live Without:

“My notebook. Whenever I have a thought, I write in there so I can keep up with both patient and administrative tasks. I use it when I have conversations with employees to write down what was discussed, as a checklist for when I’m working through a big case and for having my goals written out.”

Inspiration:

“The director of dental admissions [at Detroit Mercy] at the time of my admission, Karin, believed in me when no one else took me seriously. Nearly 15 years later, I still look up to when I make decisions, both personally and professionally.

I hope always to make her proud.”