Her appointment has been years in the making — and now it’s official.

This September, Joi Harris will make history as the first woman and first African American to serve as president and CEO of DTE Energy, a milestone that marks a major shift in leadership for one of the Midwest’s largest and most influential utility companies. A proud Detroit native and a two-time graduate of Wayne State University, Harris will oversee the company’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure strategy, clean-energy transition, and the long-term reliability of Southeast Michigan’s power systems. Her appointment has been widely reported as a transformational moment for the company and the region (Michigan Chronicle; Detroit News).

Harris expressed both gratitude and determination as she reflected on the role ahead. “I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for our company and industry,” she shared. “We are in a time of transformation, and I’m committed to executing our strategy with urgency — modernizing infrastructure, delivering for our customers, and building the energy systems that will power future generations.” Her remarks echo broader industry conversations about grid resilience and sustainability reported across national energy coverage (CBS News; Crain’s Detroit Business).

Harris’ story with DTE began more than 30 years ago, when she joined the company as a high school engineering co-op, learning firsthand the technical and operational details that would later shape her leadership style. Over the decades, she rose through the ranks in roles across operations, gas distribution, customer service, and corporate strategy. Her path included overseeing critical reliability projects and managing frontline teams during some of the region’s most challenging weather and outage events — experience that colleagues say prepared her for executive leadership (Detroit News).

As president and COO, Harris oversaw major modernizations and large-scale capital projects, including the $1 billion Blue Water Energy Center, a state-of-the-art natural gas facility hailed as one of Michigan’s most efficient and environmentally modern plants (Crain’s Detroit Business). Throughout her career, she has been recognized for championing equity, innovation, and community engagement — priorities that local reporters note have defined her leadership footprint in Detroit.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Harris is deeply committed to investing in the next generation. She is actively involved in STEM-focused organizations such as DAPCEP and partners with institutions like the Skillman Foundation to expand educational access for Detroit youth. Her community work has been highlighted as a key part of her identity, grounded in giving back to the city that shaped her (Michigan Chronicle).

Harris’ milestone represents more than a new role — it marks a powerful chapter for Detroit, for women in engineering, and for African American leadership in the energy sector. Her appointment signals both progress and possibility, and many see it as a defining step forward for the communities DTE serves.

A well-earned achievement for a leader who has spent decades building, serving, and advancing the future of Michigan’s energy landscape.