Sheffield taps new leaders to helm Detroit’s fight against poverty

January 12, 2026 Bridge Detroit

Group photo of Benita R. Miller stands with Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and Luke Shaefer — Benita R. Miller, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Luke Shaefer at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2026, to announce Miller as director of Detroit's new Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services and Shaefer as chief executive of Health, Human...

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield plans to reshuffle city departments focused on health and human services and has tapped Luke Shaefer, a well-known Michigan poverty and social policy scholar, to take the helm.