Executive Profile: Mandy Grewal, Pittsfield Township Supervisor
Mandy Grewal
On Tuesday, the township sponsored a public forum so residents could give feedback to the Master Plan subcommittees. The township’s Web site also has a link to an online survey regarding the Master Plan, and officials are asking residents to comment by Jan. 31.
“The Master Plan is the big (project) this year,” Grewal said. “It’s a good working document— it’s not going to sit on a shelf.”
Grewal said that when completed, the document will not only be used by township officials, but can also be used by developers to navigate both the minutiae and the big picture.
“My mantra is that we need to set a gold standard in providing public services in Pittsfield Township,” Grewal said. “The Master Plan is about rethinking who are and who we want to be.”
The Master Plan, however, is just one of many balls Grewal must juggle in her role as township supervisor.
“I see the role of supervisor as being a leader who is passionate about the community, someone who advocates for Pittsfield Township, builds regional ties and places Pittsfield Township as a player in the region,” Grewal said.
Grewal said that having to multi-task is not a drawback to her position but rather something she enjoys. As supervisor, she directly oversees all the most important services provided to township residents, from public safety to parks and recreation to utilities.
“Juggling a number of things in these departments on a day-to-day basis keeps me on my toes,” she said. Having input into all these different areas allows her to see how the various departments can “cross-pollinate,” cooperate and combine resources, she said.
Grewal has a master’s degree in Economics and a doctorate in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Both those specialties are an advantage in her role as township supervisor, but Grewal said she thinks of herself as “a policy-maker and decision-maker more than as a politician.”
She has influenced public policy for Pittsfield Township for several years now, representing the township on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners before being elected township supervisor in 2008.
“I was interested in how to improve decision making processes to include voices and concerns of the marginalized in public policy,” Grewal said. “Those voices are usually not heard. That’s really my passion.”
Background
Age: 41.
Education: Ph.D, Urban Planning, University of Michigan.
Family: Husband of 16 years, Robert Brackenbury (assistant attorney general) and sons Jai, 5, and Veer, 1.
Residence: Pittsfield Township.
Business Insights
Best business decision: Whenever I follow my gut instinct.
Worst business decision: When I don’t.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Diversify! I like to stay engaged in multiple activities that allow me to keep a multidisciplinary perspective. This allows me to be creative and stay fresh.
Personal hero: My mother.
How do you motivate people? By letting them have confidence in themselves to be creative and have fun.
What advice would you give to yourself in college? Talk less and listen more.
Word that best describes you: Motivated.
First Web site you check in the morning: Pittsfield-mi.gov.
Confessions
What keeps you up at night? My one-year old son.
Pet peeve: Folks who can’t think beyond stereotypes.
Guilty pleasure: Browsing at a bookstore.
First job: Assistant to the buyer at an art gallery.
First choice for a new career: I’ve already switched too many times to think of another one.
Treasures
Favorite cause: UNICEF; Make-a-Wish.
Favorite book: Currently “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.”
Favorite movie: “Amistad.”
Favorite hobby: Reading and walking.
Favorite restaurant: West End Grill.
LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? Linkedln.
Typical Saturday: Spent with family.
What team do you root for? Go Blue!
Wheels: Acura.
Who would play you in a movie? The bookish mom.
Sarah Rigg is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Khurum
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
I agree with jondhall. Pittsfield Township is lucky to have Mandy Grewal at a time when so many politicians are bad-mouthed, it's good to remind ourselves some are well-qualified and dedicated.
jondhall
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
Mandy Grewal is doing a fine job here in Pittsfield Township we are very lucky to have some one with her skills. It is not often that I tip my hat to a politician these days. She is very well qualified for the position she holds, we are blessed to have her. Thanks Mandy for you community service!