March 8, 2024
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
 Dear Friends,
Trailblazers, groundbreakers - and sometimes rule breakers - and true geniuses.
Those are just a few ways to describe the extraordinary women who have called Oakland County home in the last couple centuries.
From Elizabeth Denison Forth, who became the first Black property owner in Michigan when she purchased land in Pontiac in 1825 to Matilda Dodge Wilson, Michigan’s first female Lieutenant Governor whose generosity paved the way for Oakland University, and so many more, it seems a bit stingy to just have 31 days devoted to Women’s History Month.
The contributions women have made to science, technology, philanthropy, social services, education, law, public policy, arts and culture, business and leisure have often been unheralded, but nonetheless innovative and revolutionary.
And that doesn’t count the sacrifices that women have made for their families, neighborhoods and communities, keeping the metaphorical trains running on time.
Let’s look at a few Michigan Women Hall of Famers with Oakland ties:
- Atlas Ruth Westbrook, who grew up in Pontiac and was a high school math teacher, was a computer programmer at NASA who made significant contributions to the Apollo 11 and 13 missions and got a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.
- Martha Baldwin was a suffragette and teacher in Birmingham who founded and financially supported the Baldwin Public Library. She also left money in her will designated for a new school that would include a female locker room to encourage girls to participate in sports.
- Elizabeth Seaman Leggett was an active abolitionist, and her Waterford home was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
- Elizabeth Sparks Adams, of Waterford, was the first curator of the Michigan Bentley Historical Museum and the first female president of the Michigan Historical Commission.
- West Bloomfield resident Elizabeth Wetzel was the first female director of design at General Motors who worked on interior and exterior designs for the Cadillac and Buick brands.
- Former legislators Gilda Jacobs, of Huntington Woods, and Maxine Berman, of Southfield, were fierce advocates for women’s rights and social justice while in the Legislature.
The list of influential women continues to grow. With five women representing portions of Oakland County in the U.S. House of Representatives; three female state Senators, seven state Representatives; two countywide elected officials and 10 county commissioners, along with 14 Circuit Court, three Probate and 16 District Court judges along with 19 women leading the county’s cities, villages and townships, I have no doubt that Oakland County women will be well represented in future Michigan Women Hall of Fame inductions.
And that’s a big step in the right direction. Dozens of studies over the years have shown that when women are in leadership roles, collaboration, productivity and workplace fairness increase.
I like to lead by example and that’s why I’ve included many strong, talented and brilliant women in my leadership team. They provide wise counsel and expertise, creativity and a work ethic that is unmatched. I’m thankful to them every day, not just during Women’s History Month.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
Coulter names new Oakland County CFO
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Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed municipal finance expert Brian Lefler as the county’s Chief Financial Officer.
Lefler started with the county on Monday after serving as managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2009. He has extensive experience working with the state, counties including Oakland County, cities and school districts, including Pontiac.
He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University and is a graduate of Birmingham Groves High School.
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 Oakland Together 40 under 40 Class of 2024 named.
The new members of the Oakland Together 40 under 40 Class of 2024 were named this week and include talented young professionals who combine success at work and service to their communities.
The 12th class includes a Michigan Supreme Court justice and the star of Bassquatch Hunter, a popular fishing and adventure show on the Discovery Channel.
The program honors young professionals who live and/or work in Oakland County. More than 290 people applied for the recognition.
 Register now for Diverse Connections
Registration closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 for Diverse Connections, an event co-hosted by Oakland County and Oakland Thrive to connect suppliers with buyers from government agencies, schools, universities and local businesses.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on March 20 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Tickets for the event are $20.
Diverse Connections is designed to expand the spectrum of suppliers who want to do business with government agencies.
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