Theresa Rich

 Theresa Rich, PhD, is Mayor of the City of Farmington Hills. A suburb of Detroit, Michigan, with 84,000 residents that speak 67 languages in their homes, Farmington Hills is one of the most diverse cities of its size in the US. Dr. Rich is a probate attorney, small business owner, protector of senior citizens, defender of children, and advocate for families who teaches at Wayne State University. Following a three decade automotive corporate career where she did everything from tax law to strategy to leading seminars in a dozen countries, Dr. Rich’s attention has been primarily focused on public service.
In her first 14 months on the job as mayor, Mayor Rich is proud to share that she appointed nearly 40 residents to the city’s various boards and commissions. These appointees are people who had not previously been involved in Farmington Hills government. With these appointments, the city’s boards and commissions now reflect the demographics of the city and were done without displacing board members who wished to continue to serve. She also supported veterans by paving the way for the American Legion to relocated its hall to Farmington Hills, began studies to enhance two of the city’s corridors and more effectively use facilities, is sponsoring funding of public art, and brought together the local school board and nearest city to work together more collaboratively.
A big believer in the importance of being a life long learner, Mayor Rich holds a PhD and two law degrees. She recently completed a Public Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School.