Maureen Krauss Named CEO of Detroit Regional Partnership

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Maureen Krauss
Maureen Krauss // Photo courtesy of Maureen Krauss

The Detroit Regional Partnership has announced Maureen Krauss as its new CEO. Krauss replaces Barry Matherly, who is leaving the area due to family relocation requirements. 

Krauss, a Michigan native, was most recently the first chief economic development officer of the Indianapolis Chamber. In the first year of her work in Indianapolis, she helped create more than $1.5 billion in new investments and, in her third year, the city saw the largest job and investment growth period in the 20-year history of the Indy Partnership.

“Maureen brings deep experience from her multiple positions spanning 35 years working in the economic development field,” says Gerry Anderson, executive chairman of DTE Energy and the founding chair of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “… In addition to her years of experience, Maureen has extensive and strong relationships with the leaders and other key stakeholders in this region. Her prior work in Macomb and Oakland counties, experience at the Detroit Regional Chamber, and strong relationship with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. will enable Maureen to hit the ground running and take our work to the next level. We’re excited to bring Maureen back home.”

Krauss led the Amazon HQ2 bid for Indianapolis and oversaw a regional economic development plan called Accelerate Indy. In her role, Krauss focused on a nine-county region with a population of 2.3 million people and 83 governments and municipalities. 

“I am excited to lead the Detroit Regional Partnership – an organization that is so critically important to job creation and the region’s economy,” Krauss says. “I watched the creation of DRP from Indianapolis and hoped to one day be able to lead economic development in my home region. I am excited to join an organization with a strong strategy, an outstanding board, and an incredibly talented team.”

Matherly joined the partnership in November 2018, becoming the first CEO and establishing a staff and an economic development strategy to diversify Detroit’s regional economy. 

“It has been an enormous privilege to have led DRP during its establishment,” Matherly says. “I enjoyed my time in Michigan and am disappointed I have to leave earlier than intended, but I am proud of the team we have developed and the work that has been done to date and wish DRP and the team all the best. I am confident Maureen will successfully build on the foundation that has been put in place.”

Matherly will serve as an adviser to Krauss through the end of July to ensure a smooth transition. 

“Two years ago, we established the Detroit Regional Partnership, dedicated to marketing our region to the world. In those two years, Barry developed a strategy, hired a highly-qualified team and raised significant funding, and we thank him for that,” says Anderson. “The DRP Board and I are extremely confident Maureen has the right experience and proven leadership to successfully execute our strategy, especially in the face of the COVID-19 driven economic disruption.”

The Detroit Regional Partnership is an economic development nonprofit serving 11 counties in southeast Michigan.