Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield Announces Rise Higher Detroit Transition Committees and Hosts First Meeting of Transition Co-Chairs
DETROIT – Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield today announced the formation of 18 policy committees to support the Rise Higher Detroit transition effort. These appointments represent a significant step forward in assembling an administration that reflects Detroit’s diverse voices and is ready to deliver bold, community-driven results from day one. The announcement and first-ever convening of the committees were held at Marygrove Conservancy, the official headquarters of the Rise Higher Detroit transition initiative. Mayor-elect Sheffield’s decision to headquarter at Marygrove marks the first time a transition has set up base in one of Detroit’s neighborhoods.
The transition committees will collaborate with civic and community leaders to develop policy recommendations and identify priorities for the first 100 days that align with Mayor-elect Sheffield’s and residents’ vision for an inclusive and equitable Detroit. The 18 committees will play a pivotal role in shaping the Sheffield administration and Detroit’s next chapter. The committees are (1) Finance, (2) Neighborhood Revitalization, (3) Economic Development, Workforce Development & Small Business, (4) Education & Youth Affairs, (5) Innovation & Emerging Industries, (6) Transit Improvement & Mobility Innovation, (7) Health, Human Services, Homelessness & Poverty Solutions (8) Infrastructure, Sustainability & Climate Change, (9) Housing Development & Planning, (10) Internal Administration & Operations, (11) Ethics Compliance, (12) Law & Civil Rights, (13) Philanthropic Services, (14) Arts, Culture & Entertainment, (15) HR & Labor Relations, (16) Tourism, Branding & Special Events, (17) Public Safety & Emergency Services and (18) Public Policy.
“I am laser-focused on building an administration made up of talented public servants who are ready to deliver for Detroiters on day one, said Mayor-elect Sheffield. “These co-chairs reflect the best of Detroit — people who lead with heart, vision and a deep belief in what’s possible for our city. Their work will shape our transition priorities, inform our policies and ensure that every decision we make as a city is rooted in partnership and the collective voice of our people.”
Finance
Led by Co-Chairs Suzanne Shank (CEO and Co-Founder of Sibert Williams Shank & Co., LLC) and Dave Massaron (Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship for General Motors).
The Finance Committee will strategize on maximizing city revenue, securing grant funding and reforming procurement processes to ensure fiscal responsibility, streamlined vendor relations and effective resource allocation.
Neighborhood Revitalization
Led by Co-Chairs Kenyetta Campbell (Exec. Director, Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance), Anika Goss (President and CEO, Detroit Future City), Eva Garza Dewaelsche (President and CEO, SER Metro-Detroit) and Zeke Williams (Founder, New Era Detroit).
The Neighborhood Revitalization Committee will develop targeted plans and programs for investment, beautification and infrastructure improvements to strengthen and stabilize Detroit's diverse neighborhoods.
Workforce, Economic Development & Small Business
Led by Co-Chairs Gary Torgow (Chairman, Huntington National Bank), Nicole Sherard-Freeman (President and CEO, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan) and Dwan Dandridge (CEO, Black Leaders Detroit)
The Workforce, Economic Development & Small Business committee will develop strategies to attract business investment, stimulate job growth, develop a skilled local workforce and manage relationships with corporate partners. The committee will also begin to frame an overall population growth strategy.
Education & Youth Affairs
Led by Co-Chairs Angelique Power, Ralph Bland (President and CEO, New Paradigm for Education), Shawn Wilson (President, Boys & Girls Club) and Damon Pitt (Education Achievement Expert).
The Education & Youth Affairs Committee will develop plans that support and improve public education, create opportunities for youth development, and coordinate city efforts with local school systems and youth programs, building strategies that support families and youth from cradle to career.
Transit Improvement & Mobility Innovation
Led by Co-Chairs Tiffany Gunter (General Manager, CEO, SMART), Megan Owens (Executive Director, Transportation Riders United) and Dessa Cosma (Founder, Exec. Director, Detroit Disability Power).
The Transit Improvement & Mobility Innovation Committee will focus on improving the public transit system and exploring innovative mobility solutions to ensure all residents have reliable, accessible and affordable transportation options.
Innovation & Emerging Industries
Led by Co-Chairs Dug Song (Co-Founder, The Song Foundation; CEO, Duo Security), Lisa Lunsford (Co-Founder and CEO, GS3 Global) and Johnnie Turnage (CEO and Co-founder, Black Tech Saturdays).
The Innovation & Emerging Industries Committee will focus on identifying and promoting new technologies and high-growth sectors to diversify Detroit's economy and position the city as a hub for future industries.
Health, Human Services, Homelessness & Poverty Solutions
Led by Co-Chairs Denise Brooks-Williams (Exec. Vice President and COO, Henry Ford Health) and Linda Little (President and CEO, Neighborhood Service Organization – NSO)
The Health, Human Services, Homelessness & Poverty Solutions Committee will focus on ensuring equitable service and targeted assistance provision to the City’s most marginalized residents. The committee will design strategies to improve health outcomes, enhance social services, and implement solutions to address homelessness and reduce poverty.
Infrastructure, Sustainability & Climate Change
Led by Co-Chairs Tony Reames (Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice, University of Michigan), Nate Ford (Assoc. Vice President, HNTB) and Natalie King (President, Dunamis Clean Energy).
The Infrastructure, Sustainability & Climate Change Committee will focus on strategic plans around upgrading and maintaining critical city infrastructure, developing sustainable practices around decarbonization and resource efficiency and framing policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Housing Development & Planning
Led by Co-Chairs Donna Givens Davidson (President and CEO, Eastside Community Network) and Rob Lockett (Executive Director, Lisc Detroit).
The Housing Development & Planning Committee will focus on creating and preserving affordable housing, promoting equitable development and implementing comprehensive land-use plans for sustainable city growth. It will also outline a plan to gradually increase infill housing within a strategic pivot to homeownership-focused initiatives.
Internal Administration & Operations
Led by Co-Chairs Hakim Berry (Executive Consultant, former Chief of Staff, Mayor of Detroit) and Sharon Madison (Owner, Madison Madison International)
The Internal Administration & Operations Committee will focus on streamlining city government processes, improving departmental efficiency and optimizing internal operations to ensure effective service delivery to residents.
Ethics Compliance
Led by Co-Chairs Elliott Hall (President, Elliott Hall PLLC; Former City of Detroit Corporation Counsel) and Ellen Ha (Chief of Staff, Wayne County Corporation Counsel; Former Inspector General, City of Detroit)
The Ethics Committee will focus on ensuring the highest standards of integrity and transparency. This committee will develop procedures and strategies to guarantee the mayor's administration and all city operations comply with all ethical and legal mandates.
Law & Civil Rights
Led by Co-Chairs Cinnamon A. Plonka (Executive Shareholder, Zausmer, P.C.), Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony (President, Detroit Branch NAACP) and Nabih Ayad (Founder, Arab-American Civil Rights League).
The Law & Civil Rights Committee will advise on legal matters impacting the city, analyze the efficacy of the City’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity capacity and develop best practices around the protection of residents' civil rights, ensuring all City policies and actions align with federal, state and local laws.
Philanthropic Services
Led by Co-Chairs Donald Rencher and Laura Grannemann (Executive Director, Gilbert Family Foundation).
The Philanthropy Committee will develop strategies to align philanthropic and City interests into multi-layered funding partnerships, foster open and continuous communication and relationships with the foundation community and strategize around uniting disparate networks of foundation-supported grantee programs and organizations under easily accessible service ecosystems.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Led by Co-Chairs Shahida Mausi (CEO, Aretha Franklin Amphitheater), Lane Coleman (Chairman, Detroit Institute of Arts; Founder, President and CEO, Strike Group LLC) and John Collins (Chairman, Detroit Entertainment Commission; President, Detroit-Berlin Connection)
The Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee will explore ways to support Detroit's vibrant cultural scene, leverage arts and entertainment for economic benefit and ensure cultural enrichment is accessible to all residents.
HR & Labor Relations
Led by Co-Chairs Mikyia Aaron (Secretary-Treasurer, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 1191) and Brandice Mullen (Vice President, SEIU Michigan).
The HR & Labor Relations Committee will focus on the city’s workforce. The committee will review human resources policies, ensure fair labor practices and maintain constructive relationships with labor unions.
Tourism, Branding & Special Events
Led by Co-Chairs Arn Tellem (Vice Chairman, Detroit Pistons) and Claude Molinari (President and CEO, Visit Detroit).
The Tourism, Marketing & Events Committee will focus on promoting Detroit nationally and internationally. The committee will develop strategies to boost tourism, enhance the city's image, and attract and manage major city events.
Public Safety & Emergency Services
Led by Co-Chairs James E. White (CEO, Detroit Wayne Integrated Network; Former Chief of Police, Detroit Police Department), Dawn Ison (Former United States Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan) and Teferi Brent (Dignity4Detroit - Co-Founder, Urban Peace and Justice Activist/Organizer/Leader & Policy Advisor).
The Public Safety & Emergency Services Committee will develop strategies to reduce crime through community collaboration and innovation, strengthen prevention and intervention strategies, enhance police-community relations and ensure the city's emergency response systems are effective and equitable.
Public Policy
Led by Co-Chairs Angela L. Baldwin (Partner, The Miller Law Firm Regional Governor, The National Hispanic Bar Association) and Samuel “Buzz” Thomas (President and Principal, Activate Detroit).
The Public Policy Committee will analyze existing state and federal policies against the goals of the Sheffield Administration, and create strategies to modify, change or otherwise propose and lobby for new policies that operationalize the Administration’s stated goals. The committee will frame a lobbying strategy to drive state and federal dollars directly to Detroit to fund key initiatives.
About Rise Higher Detroit
Rise Higher Detroit, the official transition initiative of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, aims to be the boldest and most inclusive engagement effort in Detroit’s history. The transition will help develop an official Transition Action Plan—a roadmap that reflects the voices, values, and aspirations of Detroiters. Together, we will help Mayor-Elect Sheffield realize her vision of an administration built on the voices and priorities of the people.
No public or campaign dollars are being used to fund the activities of the Rise Higher Detroit transition committee. The Mayor-elect and Detroit’s philanthropic community have collaborated to create a fund, established at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and supported by a variety of foundations and other civic institutions, to fund transition efforts, including community engagement and talent acquisition.