DETROIT – It’s been just over a week since Detroit’s election, and Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield said she has spent that time focused on transition work.
On Thursday, she introduced and held the first meeting with co-chairs for 18 policy committees.
She gathered with the hand-selected group that will help shape the tone and policy priorities for her administration’s first 100 days and beyond.
Meeting at Detroit’s Marygrove Conservancy, Sheffield emphasized the collaborative and diverse makeup of the teams.
“Now it’s time to work, everyone!” Sheffield said. “We wanted diversity. We wanted community. We wanted business. We wanted labor. Faith. Everyone who represents the beautiful spirit of our city. We wanted to make sure that was incorporated in our selection process.”
Committee composition and goals
The Co-Chairs represent a cross-section of the city: community leaders, business representatives, labor, faith leaders and other stakeholders.
Sheffield said she is relying on them to make recommendations that are community-centered and actionable as her team prepares to assume office.
“It means a lot to me to know that you all are committed to not just my success, but to Detroit’s success,” Sheffield said.
Two core goals will guide the committees: ensuring decisions and recommendations are rooted in community needs, and producing concrete, implementable actions for the incoming administration to adopt.
Selecting the right cabinet and staff is a top priority for the Mayor-elect.
Her team plans to hire a Chief Talent Officer who will lead a nationwide search to fill senior roles. It’s a strategy Sheffield describes as balancing institutional knowledge with fresh, innovative perspectives.
“We want to keep some institutional knowledge, while also welcoming in some new, bold, and innovative people. So, we have a great combination of both,” Sheffield said.
Sheffield’s transition team said much of the heavy lifting will be completed between now and Christmas.
As part of that work, the administration plans to host a community forum where residents can hear from committee members and provide feedback on priorities and recommendations.
Residents can track the transition’s plans and progress at www.risehigherdetroit.com .