Carmen Bender
Chief Strategy Officer
Carmen Bender is responsible for leading efforts to identify and oversee the development, implementation, and sustainment of strategies to grow and differentiate DESC as a workforce system. These strategies may include service shifts based on labor market data, program evolutions influenced by system surveys, technology implementations to enhance operational management, and innovative policy changes to better serve the Detroit at Work customer base.
Carmen is a valued, senior level executive who has led projects and programs across the state of Michigan and negotiated contracts ranging from $100,000 to $50 million working with DTE Energy and Walker-Miller Energy Services. Carmen also has a passion for helping organizations successfully navigate change. Carmen presented on the topic of culture and change management as a co-presenter during the American Productivity and Quality Center Process Conference in 2016, “Engaging Leaders to Engage Employees Through the Journey of Change.”
Ms. Bender holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from Eastern Michigan University, complemented by a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy. She has maintained an active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification since 2010, underscoring her commitment to operational excellence. Carmen has also completed a range of prestigious leadership development programs, including the Aspen Workforce Development Fellowship, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the Foundation for Leadership with Peter Senge and Beth Jandernoa. Her dedication to fostering high-performing cultures is further reflected in her certifications as a Senn Delaney Thriving Culture facilitator, a John Maxwell Team Leadership member, and a Gallup Strengths Coach.