Faye Alexander Nelson

President & CEO, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

Tasked with developing waterfront public access and creating a development space that serves as an anchor for economic development, Faye Nelson is leading the massive restoration and permanent stewardship of the Detroit riverfront. With an ultimate 5 ½ mile vision, the first phase of the project, which is 3 ½ miles of east riverfront, is now 80 percent complete with additional construction scheduled for 2012.

Nelson is committed to working for progress in her hometown. She serves on the Board of Directors for Compuware Corporation, the University of Detroit/Mercy, TechTown, the Parade Company and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Her professional and civic affiliations include the State Bar of Michigan, Wolverine Bar Association, Life Member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Michigan Women's Forum, Leadership Detroit, Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Economic Club. Most recently, Nelson was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Blue Ribbon Panel.

Nelson is the recipient of numerous awards including the Judge Damon J. Keith Twenty-Fourth Annual Soul and Spirit Humanitarian Award, "the Grio's" 100 African American History Makers presented by NBC News, the Milliken Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Environmental Council, Crain's Detroit Business as one of Metro Detroit's Most Influential Women, Corp! Magazine as one of Michigan's Extraordinary Women Leaders, the Michigan Chronicle as a Woman of Excellence, Inforum as one of Southeast Michigan's Most Influential Women Leaders and the Greater Good Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) for Greater Detroit.

Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Mercy College of Detroit and a law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. She has four daughters and is married to Albert Taylor Nelson, Jr., of counsel to Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton, PC.