10TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF INFLUENCE SUMMIT

UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN’S 10TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF INFLUENCE SUMMIT

Honoring Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield at this Milestone event

WHAT: The tenth annual Women of Influence Summit, hosted by United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Women United, will celebrate the leadership and contributions of women in the community while raising funds for early childhood education programs.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be honored with the Woman of the Decade Award, newly elected Mayor of the City of Detroit, Mayor Mary Sheffield will receive the Woman of Influence Award, CEO of Black Family Development, Alice Thompson will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Susan Packard, media entrepreneur and co-founder of HGTV, will deliver the keynote address.

In addition to the awards and keynote, the event will feature a Women and Small Business Marketplace showcasing local, women-owned businesses. Since launching, the Women of Influence Summit has raised more than $2 million supporting early childhood education and youth programs across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

WHO:

· Keynote Speaker: Susan Packard, co-founder of HGTV

· Woman of the Decade Honoree: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State of Michigan Governor

· 2026 Woman of Influence Honoree: Mayor Mary Sheffield, City of Detroit Mayor

· Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: Alice Thompson, CEO of Black Family Development

· 14 Women-Owned Marketplace Businesses: Browse the marketplace here.

WHEN: Friday, March 13, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: Ford Field, 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

WHY: The Women of Influence Summit celebrates International Women’s Day and raises critical funds to support early childhood education initiatives in Southeastern Michigan. This inspiring event highlights the power of women working together to drive positive change.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

· Interviews with keynote speaker, Susan Packard

· Interviews with Dr. Darienne Hudson, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan

· Interviews with honorees and event attendees

· Photo and video opportunities with honorees, attendees, and sponsors

· Coverage of the Women and Small Business Marketplace featuring fourteen locally and women–owned companies

Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact Jerome Espy at (248) 417-9567 or Jerome.Espy@LiveUnitedSEM.org to request credentials.

About United Way for Southeastern Michigan

United Way for Southeastern Michigan, a member of the United Way Worldwide network and an independently governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to help households become stable and ensure children have the support they need to thrive. For more than one hundred years, United Way has been a leader in creating positive, measurable, and sustainable change in communities throughout southeast Michigan. United Way works in partnership with donors, agencies, corporate and municipal partners to help families meet their basic needs of housing, food, health care and family finances, and ensure children start school ready to learn and graduate ready for life. To give, advocate, volunteer or learn more, visit UnitedWaySEM.org.

Ashley Orr
Manager, Social Media and Public Relations