From high school co-op to corner office, Joi Harris’ story isn’t just one of mere corporate ascent—it’s one of Detroit legacy, Black excellence, and community-rooted leadership that has been decades in the making. On September 8, Harris will officially take the reins as president and CEO of DTE Energy, becoming the first woman to lead the Detroit-based energy giant. Her appointment marks a historic milestone not only for the company, but for a city built on grit, brilliance, and generations of Black leaders who have poured into their communities—often without recognition.
DTE’s board of directors voted unanimously to elevate Harris to the role following the planned transition of current CEO Jerry Norcia, who will move into the position of executive chair. The promotion is the culmination of a multi-year succession plan, one that puts Harris at the helm of a $1 billion infrastructure strategy, an evolving energy grid, and the very future of how Southeast Michigan powers itself.
“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for our company and industry,” Harris said in a statement. “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.”
This moment was not gifted—it was earned. Harris began her journey with DTE 34 years ago as a high school engineering co-op. By 1991, she was a full-time employee, stepping into a world that wasn’t always built to see Black women lead—let alone engineer the kind of future she’s now constructing. Her rise through the ranks reflects her deep knowledge of the energy sector, her ability to move infrastructure forward, and her commitment to ensuring Detroit isn’t left behind in conversations about innovation, access, or equity.
As DTE’s current president and chief operating officer, Harris has already overseen the utility’s electric and gas operations, customer service, IT, and safety departments. Under her leadership, the company launched the $1 billion Blue Water Energy Center in St. Clair County, a natural gas-powered plant that opened in 2022 and was designed to reduce emissions while providing consistent energy delivery across the region.
Company officials noted that Harris was a key force behind DTE’s increased investment in electric grid modernization, resulting in a 70% year-over-year improvement in electric reliability in 2024—a major feat in a city and region often vulnerable to aging infrastructure and power outages.
But for Harris, the work has never just been about megawatts and data points. It’s about people. That commitment was clear at Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes and Politics forum, where she called attention to the importance of preparing the next generation—especially Black youth—for leadership through mentorship and meaningful career pathways.
“We need to be intentional about creating space for young Black students to see what’s possible,” Harris shared during the forum, addressing how early exposure to engineering and energy careers can open the door to lives of purpose and possibility. Her advocacy for internships and mentorship programs, especially those targeting underrepresented youth, is rooted in her own story—and it’s a philosophy she carries into every boardroom and every blueprint.
That philosophy is also visible in her work outside of DTE. Harris serves as vice president of the board for the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), a program that has changed the trajectory of countless Black students interested in STEM. She also sits on the Wayne State University College of Engineering Board of Visitors, the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies Board, and the Board of Trustees for the Skillman Foundation, which continues to be a major force in youth empowerment across Detroit.
Her academic roots are as local and legacy-building as her professional ones. Harris earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University, reinforcing a Detroit-grown journey that has not only shaped her leadership style, but positioned her as an exemplar of what it means to serve, transform, and uplift at the same time.
DTE, one of the largest energy companies in the Midwest, serves 2.3 million electric customers in Southeast Michigan and 1.3 million natural gas customers throughout the state. Historically, utilities have struggled with both environmental accountability and equitable investment. Harris now leads during a moment of deep scrutiny and demand for reform, where community trust must be rebuilt and re-earned—especially in Detroit’s predominantly Black neighborhoods, where outages and environmental concerns often hit hardest.
Former CEO Jerry Norcia acknowledged Harris’ leadership, calling her “a respected, strategic thinker known for driving results with focus and precision.” He added, “She brings clear-eyed judgment, purpose-driven leadership and an unwavering commitment to what matters most to our customers, employees, investors, and communities.”
Norcia, who became CEO in 2019 and joined DTE in 2002, will continue to support Harris as executive chair of the board. His own legacy includes the creation of the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Program, a precursor to the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), which was recently passed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The program helps vulnerable residents avoid shut-offs and navigate energy burdens—an issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown households.
Still, Harris’ leadership signals a broader shift. It’s a nod to the urgency of infrastructure reform, the demand for environmental justice, and the opportunity for Detroiters to shape energy policy from within. It’s also a cultural moment worth honoring: a Black woman from Detroit, who came through the public pipeline, mentored by her city and her company, now poised to shape how millions of families across Michigan live, work, and stay warm.
Her track record has not gone unnoticed. Harris was honored as Woman of the Year through the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence program and received the Maverick Award from Energetic Women, a national recognition for trailblazing leadership in engineering and operations.
This next chapter isn’t about optics. It’s about what happens when Black women lead energy systems with care and accountability. It’s about holding corporations responsible for their impact while making space for the community to thrive alongside the infrastructure being built.
From the halls of DAPCEP to the boardrooms of one of the most powerful companies in the state, Harris’ rise is a call to action. For companies to truly invest in equity. For cities to trust Black women to lead. And for Black youth across Detroit to know that their ideas, their roots, and their brilliance belong in every conversation about the future.
As Harris prepares to step into her new role this fall, Detroit watches. Not with surprise, but with pride. Because when you’ve built your leadership brick by brick, over three decades, in the very community you serve, this moment isn’t just deserved, it’s inevitable.
Joi Harris is that leader. And this is her time.
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