Tanya Stoudemire has made history as Detroit's first woman Chief Financial Officer following a unanimous confirmation by the City Council. Stoudemire, succeeding Jay Rising who retired last month, previously served as Detroit's Chief Deputy CFO for four years, acting as an essential policy liaison and helping manage significant funds to bolster the city's financial health, reports from the City of Detroit's official website indicate.
In her previous role, Stoudemire was key in seeing Detroit regain its investment grade status alongside Rising, during which time the Office of the Chief Financial Officer handled the city's allocation of $826.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, this was the largest federal grant Detroit has ever received, which they utilized to maintain fiscal discipline and balance the city's budgets effectively. Her 30 years of service includes a stellar legacy of guiding Detroit post-bankruptcy toward resilient and sustainable budgeting.
"I am honored to be appointed by Mayor Duggan as the Chief Financial Officer and confirmed by Detroit City Council. It is a privilege to work with such a great team in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and across City departments for the residents of the great City of Detroit," Stoudemire said in a statement. "As CFO, I look forward to continuing our mission to maintain a financial infrastructure that results in balanced budgets and long-term sustainability - all while enabling the City to make investments that improve the quality of life for Detroiters."
Mayor Duggan has lauded Stoudemire for her longstanding dedication to financial stewardship, expressing "Her extensive experience and commitment to financial excellence will be invaluable as we continue to strive to provide the excellent service Detroiters expect and deserve," as per the official City of Detroit's announcement. Stoudemire's educational background includes a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wayne State University, she is married and has three children and has been pivotal in maintaining the city's fiscal solidity through trying times like the COVID-19 pandemic, where a cost savings plan she managed helped keep Detroit's economy afloat.
