JoAnn Chávez is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Hispanic Collaborative (MiHC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic equity and increasing college graduation rates among first-generation Hispanic students in Michigan. Under her leadership, MiHC delivers culturally relevant programming for both students and parents, helping families navigate the complexities of college access, persistence and career readiness.
Prior to leading MiHC full time, Chávez served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for DTE Energy, where she was responsible for the management and strategic direction of the company’s Office of the General Counsel. In that role, she advised DTE’s Board of Directors and senior management on legal and regulatory matters, while also overseeing ethics and compliance, corporate security, emergency management and tax.
Before joining DTE in 2007, Chávez was an international tax partner at KPMG LLP, serving large multinational clients. She earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Notre Dame. In 2024, she was honored as the graduation keynote speaker at Tiffin University, where she received the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
A passionate advocate for education and opportunity, Chávez serves on the boards of the DTE Energy Foundation, Cristo Rey Network, Invest Detroit and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. She is the past chair of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a member of the advisory councils for the University of Notre Dame Law School and the University of Michigan School of Education.
Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally, including honors such as Forbes 50 Over 50 and Crain’s Detroit Business 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan. Dr. Chávez joined the Board in 2024.