MICHELE HODGES
President and CEO of Belle Isle Conservancy
August 23, 2022
Belle Isle Park is a 982-acre island park located in Detroit with historic, environmental, and cultural resources that have been beloved for generations. The park is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Nature Center, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Oudoulf Garden and more!
The mission of the Belle Isle Conservancy is to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the natural environment, historic structures, and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all.
Belle Isle Conservancy works in close partnership with the State of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, the City of Detroit, and island partners to bring additional resources to Belle Isle. In February of 2014, the DNR began managing Belle Isle as a state park under a 30-year lease. The City of Detroit retained ownership of the park.
The DNR is the responsible agent for day-to-day operations, maintaining infrastructure, removing debris, and making park improvements for all to enjoy. The Conservancy serves as an advocate for the park, brings volunteer resources to the park, operates the Belle Isle Aquarium, and actively raises funds for needed projects and improvements on the island.
Michele Hodges has served as the founding president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy since 2012, during which time the organization has grown from nascency to full maturity. She serves as a gubernatorial and mayoral appointee to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee. Her work has earned recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 and Most Notable Women in Non-Profits.
Park residents will recognize her as their mayor, elected in 2019 with her term ending in 2023.
Michele earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Michigan State University, and numerous professional designations, including the Institute for Organizational Management, Economic Developers Institute, and the Institute for Public Administration. She is a Michigan Political Leadership Program fellow, and has a history of board and community service, including with the PTO (Defer, Pierce and South), the Grosse Pointe Park Foundation, Jefferson East Inc., the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and many more. She also serves as a lector at St. Ambrose.
She and Matt have been married since 1990 and have two daughters, Sylvia (Grosse Pointe South class of 2019), and Josephine (Grosse Pointe South class of 2022). They’ve been happily planted in Grosse Pointe Park since 2001, and the Woods just prior.