Irma Hayes
Promoter, Artist, and Strategist in Oakland County, MI
I’m Irma Hayes, a community builder, creative strategist, and arts lover who believes every neighborhood deserves to feel vibrant, seen, and full of possibility. As the Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development for the City of Harper Woods, my work sits at the intersection of place, culture, and people. I specialize in taking ideas—big or small—and shaping them into programs, spaces, and experiences that bring communities together.
I’m a proud member of Leadership Detroit Class 46, a transformational leadership cohort that deepened my commitment to collaboration, equity, and bold civic imagination. Whether I’m securing funding for public spaces, curating cultural programming, collaborating with students, or championing local artists, I move with one goal: to build communities where everyone feels they belong.
Outside of city hall, I’m inspired daily by my family, my roots, and the creative energy of the region. I love turning visions into reality, connecting people, and activating spaces with joy, culture, and shared purpose.