Bank chief Sandy Pierce is a volunteer force of nature, running everything from the Detroit Regional Chamber to Thanksgiving Day parades. By her own estimate, she spends a third of her time on volunteer projects to reverse Michigan's economic decline.
"We still have 10 million people, control a fifth of the nation's fresh water, 19 million acres of trees and thousands of businesses headquartered here,'' she says. "Business leaders must, must be involved in their communities. My involvement is part of what my bank contributes.''
A native of Detroit, Pierce started as a teller at the age of 18. Now leader of the Michigan Turnaround Plan, a coalition of 75 CEOs, Pierce is optimistic that banks can be part of the recovery. "We have hundreds of millions to lend to businesses that need capital.''
NEXT: Craig Muhammad
