President's Message – Mid-Year Check-In
It’s hard to believe we’re already more than halfway through 2026 and heading into the fall season. As I reflect on the past seven months, I’m incredibly proud of our chapter and our members.
Together, we've hosted outstanding events, welcomed new members, and continued to celebrate our chapter's 40th anniversary throughout the year. Along the way, we've supported one another through both professional and personal challenges. Whether it's helping someone find a new opportunity, offering support during a difficult time, or simply making a new member feel welcome, our willingness to show up for one another is what makes this chapter so special. The relationships we build are at the heart of everything we do.
Summer is also an exciting time for our chapter because it marks the beginning of our leadership nomination process. CREW Detroit members were encouraged to self-nominate or nominate someone in the chapter they think would be a good candidate for the open board positions and our 2027 President-Elect. Serving in a leadership role is both an honor and a commitment, and one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring we have talented, dedicated leaders ready to guide the chapter into the future.
The Nominating Committee, led by our Immediate Past President, Jacqueline Trost, will convene in August to meet with candidates and determine a slate to present to the membership. When you receive the slate in late August, I encourage you to review it carefully. Your voice and your vote are an important part of shaping the future of our chapter.
If you're a CREW member and haven't yet become involved with a committee, I encourage you to take that next step. Whether you can contribute a little or a lot, your perspective and participation matter. Our members are the reason this chapter continues to thrive, and every contribution helps strengthen our organization. If you're not yet a member but have been considering joining, I'd be happy to talk with you about the value of CREW membership and what it can offer both personally and professionally.
We have an exciting lineup of events ahead, including our annual Hard Hats Tour of the University of Michigan Health Center in Troy, the always-fun Bald Mountain Blast, our Impact Awards celebrating the outstanding projects shaping Southeast Michigan, and our annual Holiday Party to close out the year. Be sure to visit detroit.crewnetwork.org for event details and registration.
Thank you for everything you do to make our chapter such an incredible community. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event.
Yours truly,
Katie Burlager
CREW Detroit President 2026