Pamela Lewis

Pamela Lewis is the director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan. NEI is one of the largest and longest running philanthropic collaborations that has awarded over $120 million in grants to catalyze and support nonprofit organizations focused on providing capital, practical assistance, mentoring and affordable spaces for entrepreneurs and small businesses in metro Detroit. Under her leadership, NEI’s grantmaking and convening influence has activated a network of support for underserved small business owners, with thousands receiving assistance or capital, resulting in thousands of jobs.

During COVID-19 crisis, NEI has been at the helm of working with business support organizations and philanthropic funders to provide immediate relief to 2,000 small businesses through loan, rent and stabilization funding programs.

Pamela has been a part of NEI since 2010 and leading it since 2016. She is a native Detroiter and engineer by training from Michigan State University.

In 2016, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business. Pamela also serves on the board of Philanthropy for Civic Engagement (PACE), a community of funders that invest in the sustaining elements of democracy and civic life in the United States and is an active member of the national Brookings Network for Economic Inclusion.