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New Chief of Staff David Bowser
Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield on Friday announced the appointment of David Bowser, who holds a master’s degree in public health administration, as her chief of staff — one of the top positions in her administration.
Bowser previously served under Mayor Mike Duggan as deputy director of the Housing and Revitalization Department, deputy director of the Community Health Corps, and director of Human Services.
“David Bowser’s deep understanding of Detroit’s communities and the challenges our residents face makes him uniquely prepared for this role,” Sheffield said in a statement. “He brings a forward-thinking commitment to equity that our administration is being built upon. As chief of staff, he will help guide a government that listens, puts Detroiters first, and continues to rise higher.”
Bowser earned a bachelor’s degree in medicine, health, and society from Vanderbilt University in 2009 and a master’s degree in public health administration from Creighton University’s School of Medicine in 2015.
Bowser will serve as a senior adviser to the mayor and oversee citywide communications and internal administrative functions.
While working for the city, he helped expand access to essential resources for Detroiters, including assisting in the establishment of the city’s Code Blue tenant displacement support program, according to Sheffield's press release. He also worked with families at risk of homelessness and those in need of emergency shelter.
“I have always known Mayor-elect Sheffield to be a highly pragmatic, people-driven leader with a unique ability to bring broad coalitions together around tangible benefits for Detroit residents,” Bowser said in a statement. “Her priorities of equity and collaboration are evident in her track record of impactful programs and legislation and speak volumes about her ability not just to talk about change, but to actively facilitate it.”
