Nicole has 30 years of tri-sector experience across corporate, non-profit, government, and philanthropic sectors. She has led complex cross-sector operations, public-private partnerships, and large-scale human capital initiatives. Notably, Nicole directed the overhaul of a public workforce system managing over $100M in federal, state, city, corporate, and philanthropic funding and led Detroit’s economic development efforts in the Duggan Administration.
As chief economic and workforce development officer for the City of Detroit and Detroit at Work, she oversaw securing more than $5B in real estate development, ensured over 70,000 youth summer jobs, and facilitated more than 40,000 adult job placements. Prior to this, she was president and CEO of Detroit’s workforce agency, doubling its revenue while reducing reliance on federal funding by 21% in four years. She also led the local workforce investment board a mayoral appointed Board of more than 30 business, labor, higher education, non-profit, and philanthropic leaders.
Before her government career, Nicole held senior roles managing large-scale operations for corporations. She has contributed to workforce development discussions and testified before the U.S. House and Senate on workforce issues. Throughout her career, Nicole has been recognized for her ability to drive innovative solutions in workforce systems and economic mobility, often focusing on public-private partnerships that deliver measurable community impact.
In July 2023, Nicole became COO of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, a $1B+ public charitable foundation awarding approximately $100M annually. Her leadership responsibilities include program, finance, strategic planning, donor services, project management operations, and special initiatives including the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership, New Economy Initiative, and Michigan Justice Fund. She is focused on ensuring the Foundation remains a trusted leader in philanthropy, responsive to the evolving needs of southeast Michigan.
Nicole serves as a senior advisor for the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions Initiatives and on the leadership board of the Urban Institute’s WorkRise. She has held multiple board positions, including with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Michigan Governor’s Workforce Development Board, and Detroit’s Economic Growth Corporation.
Nicole’s professional awards include Crain’s Detroit Business 50 Names to Know in Government in 2021, Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan – Class of 2021, and Crain’s Notables in Non-Profits 2018, named to the Michigan Chronicle’s Power 50: Most Powerful African Americans in Metro Detroit, and Axios 8 Most Powerful People in Detroit 2022.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and completed graduate studies in Organizational Development at Fielding Graduate University.