Meet the Driving Force Behind Detroit's Economic Transformation
When we think of Detroit, we often think of its automotive industry or its rich musical history. But a new driving force behind the city’s transformation is Nicole Sherard-Freeman. As the Group Executive for Jobs, Economy, and Detroit at Work in the Office of Mayor Mike Duggan, Nicole leads the city’s economic development and workforce development ecosystem, with a $90+ million budget supported by public, philanthropic, and employer investments.
Nicole brings over 25 years of experience across corporate, non-profit, and government entities, with a proven track record of leading complex, cross-sector operations and public-private partnerships at scale. Her deep interest in public-private partnership governance and operating models, business leadership in under-resourced communities, and creating a net-zero workforce has led to her being recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Business 50 Names to Know in Government in 2021 and one of the Axios 8 Most Powerful People in Detroit in 2022.