EMU Today

YPSILANTI – JoAnn Chávez, vice president, legal and chief tax officer of DTE Energy, will be the Eastern Michigan University commencement speaker at its fall commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 16. She also will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree during the ceremony.

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved the speaker during its regular board meeting Friday, Oct. 20.

This will be Chávez’s second speaking date at Eastern this year. She also spoke at the Cesar Chávez Day of Celebration last March at EMU.

Chávez has over 25 years of tax experience and is currently responsible for overseeing DTE Energy’s tax compliance, tax strategy and policy, corporate security, as well as the commercial and securities, finance and governance, and non-utility legal practice groups.

“We are extremely honored to have JoAnn Chávez deliver our commencement address,” said Eastern Michigan President James Smith. “She is a leader in our community, a leader in Michigan’s growing Hispanic community and will offer a strong message and perspective to this year’s graduates that embraces the importance of diversity and inclusion, and further reflects Eastern’s welcoming environment to people of all backgrounds.”

“DTE Energy is a long-time supporter of higher education and I am a passionate advocate for young people in our community,” said Chavez, who sponsors a career development program for Black and Latino interns at DTE. “I am proud and humbled by the opportunity to spend a few moments with extraordinary EMU graduates as they begin their journey through these challenging yet exciting times.”

Previously, Chávez served as an international tax partner for KPMG LLP with experience serving large multinational clients. Chávez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame.

Chávez has been with DTE Energy since 2007 and currently serves on the DTE Energy Foundation Board and the DTE Energy Investment Committee.

She has spent her career supporting women and Hispanic initiatives in the community and currently serves as follows: Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, the Michigan Hispanic Fund President, Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council and the University of Michigan School of Education Dean’s Advisory Council. Chávez has been recognized by the Latino Who’s Who for her achievements in advancing the culture of the Latino American business community, and is a frequent speaker in the Hispanic community.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.