Photo credit: City of Detroit
December 31, 2025 | By Stephanie Washington
Some jobs build a resumé. Others build leaders.
Twelve years ago, I joined Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration with a clear conviction: Detroit was worth fighting for. At a time when the city was too often framed by skepticism rather than possibility, Mayor Duggan advanced a different vision, one grounded in action, accountability, and an unwavering belief in Detroiters. That leadership helped restore confidence in the city’s future, and I wanted to be part of the work required to move it forward.
I left my career in marketing and took a leap of faith as a scheduler, learning city government from the ground up. Those early years offered a close, unfiltered view of leadership. I saw how decisions are made, how priorities are set, and why consistency matters as much as vision. Leadership, I learned, is not defined by moments of recognition, but by the daily discipline of showing up, making hard choices, and staying focused on outcomes that serve residents.
Over time, my responsibilities expanded, and I later served as Chief of Staff, helping guide a complex municipal organization through a period of historic transformation. Detroit during this time was a city in motion. Abandoned spaces became opportunities. Long overlooked neighborhoods received meaningful investment. Infrastructure, public services, housing, and community engagement were elevated as central priorities, not afterthoughts.
Under Mayor Duggan’s leadership, progress was tangible. Streetlights were restored. Blight was removed. Roads were repaired. Businesses and workers were supported. Neighborhood voices were brought into the decision making process. These were not abstract policy wins. They were changes residents could see, feel, and trust. Together, they strengthened daily life and rebuilt confidence in local government.
Detroit demands commitment, and that commitment was consistently directed toward people and neighborhoods. The administration’s focus on results reinforced a fundamental lesson in governance. It requires disciplined decision making, consistency over convenience, and a willingness to do the hard, often unseen work that produces lasting outcomes. City government also brings long meetings, unexpected challenges, and perseverance fueled by strong coffee, but the purpose behind the work never wavered. Earlier this year, I transitioned to the campaign, motivated by a desire to continue growing and to help lead the effort to elect an independent governor. While the work requires a different approach, it remains rooted in the same belief that principled leadership, focused on people rather than politics, can change the direction of a city and a state.
As Mayor Duggan enters the final chapter of his final term, this moment feels less like a farewell and more like a time for reflection and gratitude. Detroit’s progress over the past twelve years was not accidental. It was the result of steady decisions, clear priorities, and a sustained belief that cities can be restored when leadership remains focused on results and responsibility to residents.
Throughout this work, I learned what accountable governance requires. A willingness to do the hard, often unseen work that produces lasting outcomes. City government also came with long meetings, unexpected turns, and perseverance fueled by strong coffee, yet the purpose behind the work remained clear.
Earlier in this year, I transitioned to Mike Duggan's gubernatorial campaign: Duggan for Governor, eager to continue growing and to help lead the effort to elect an independent governor. The work demands a different approach, yet it remained rooted in the same belief that principled leadership can change the direction of a city and a state.
My gratitude to Mayor Duggan is profound. Thank you for the trust, the leadership, and the unwavering belief in Detroit and me.
The city is stronger. And, so am I.
As I step into the new year and the next chapter, I carry forward twelve years of experience, momentum, and enduring pride in the city we helped move forward.
This chapter represents more than an ending. It reflects a standard for public leadership rooted in preparation, persistence, and responsibility to residents. Detroit’s progress was not accidental. It was built through steady decisions, clear priorities, and a belief that cities can be restored when leadership remains focused on people rather than politics. Serving during this period reinforced my respect for public institutions and the role they play in shaping daily life. The lessons from these years will continue to inform how I lead, how I collaborate, and how I measure success. Detroit’s story remains unfinished, yet its direction is clear. The work accomplished over the past twelve years demonstrates what is possible when commitment meets action, and when hope is supported by follow-through, trust, and accountability. These principles will guide future work, service, and leadership wherever the path continues in Detroit always.
Thank you, Mayor.
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You are an incredible leader. So proud of all that you've accomplished. Thank you to you and Mayor Duggan!