Detroit is buzzing with fresh energy as Dana Williams, the strategic mastermind behind Detroit Employment Solutions, steps into the spotlight as its new President and CEO. Following the transition of the astute Terri Weems to her new role as the Group Executive of Workforce Development and ‘Detroit at Work’, Dana is ready to take the torch forward.
Overseeing the operations of the ‘Detroit at Work’ system, Williams will be the driving force behind the city’s ambitious talent strategies. These initiatives, aimed at fueling economic development, have been pivotal in connecting local employers with the right talent and offering Detroit residents invaluable training and other vital services.
“I am honored to continue my Detroit at Work System career and become a part of the strong legacy of leadership at DESC, and especially at a time when economic opportunities for Detroiters abound,” said Williams. “It is our system that helps unlock the vast talent we have here ensuring our residents can take part.”
Since its inception in 2017 under Mayor Duggan, ‘Detroit at Work’ has been a success story we all cherish. Just last year, this groundbreaking initiative trained over 3,200 eager job seekers and placed nearly 6,000 in fulfilling roles. This massive effort played a significant role in bringing Detroit’s unemployment rate to a remarkable 30-year low as of April 2023.
But it doesn’t stop there. Under the expert guidance of DESC, the ‘Grow Detroit’s Young Talent’ program offered over 8,500 Detroit youth, aged between 14 and 24, coveted summer jobs. Additionally, more than 2,200 employers found the resources they needed through ‘Detroit at Work’ career centers scattered around our beloved city.
Having previously served DESC as its Chief Strategy Officer, Dana Williams isn’t new to challenges. She has been the linchpin in championing workforce in economic development activities, laying down employer strategies, and leading crucial engagements with various industry partners. Her commitment to data-driven foundations ensures a robust system that benefits all Detroiters.
As a side note for those keen on the specifics: Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, under the leadership of Mayor Duggan and the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board (MWDB), functions as the city’s fiscal and administrative workforce agency. And as Dana steps into her role, Terri Weems shines in her new position as the Executive Director of MWDB.
“After working closely with Dana for three years, I’m confident that I could not be leaving DESC in better hands,” said Weems. “The close working partnership between the Mayor’s office, the Workforce Board and DESC is a key enabler of the workforce development successes that Detroit has seen in recent years.”
In essence, with Williams at the helm and the vibrant legacy of initiatives like ‘Detroit at Work’, the future of Detroit’s employment landscape looks brighter than ever.
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