Desiree Jennings serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Center of Wayne County, where she leads with compassion and a deep commitment to helping children and families shape their futures. She believes that mission-driven leadership is rooted in personal connection and knowledge of the community systems that support children’s well-being.
With a career focused on delivering mission-critical results, Desiree builds and motivates high-performing teams, guiding strategic planning, operational efficiency, and collaborative community partnerships. She is a strong advocate for children’s behavioral health, child welfare, and family support initiatives. Previously, she served as Chief Compliance Officer, leading two successful national accreditations and spearheading quality improvement initiatives.
Desiree holds an MBA and a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She has been recognized as a Top 25 Black Non-Profit Leader (2025) and a “Woman of Excellence” by the Michigan Chronicle (2022). She serves on multiple boards, including PEAK Health Collective, and volunteers her expertise to nonprofits across Metro Detroit.
