Rachel Frierson

she/her
Vice President of Operations and Programming,
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
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Rachel Frierson is vice president of operations and programming for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. In this role, Rachel oversees the day to day operations of the riverfront and the diverse program offerings that activate the Detroit Riverfront and Dequindre Cut to create a world-class gathering space for three million visitors annually.

Rachel holds bachelors’ degrees in history and political theory from Michigan State University, and a master’s degree in public service management from DePaul University. Prior to joining the Conservancy in 2013, Rachel worked with two different Chicago-based community development organizations, the Chicago Loop Alliance and Division Street Business Development Association, and prior to that she worked at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, New York. In 2018, Rachel was recognized nationally as a Next City Vanguard for her leadership in developing a reused shipping container into an active bar and pop up along the Dequindre Cut.

Rachel lives, works, and plays on the riverfront and Dequindre Cut as a resident of Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighborhood. Rachel serves as a board member for the Detroit Parks Coalition and is a member of ULI Michigan.

Keynote Panelist: Placemaking Together