Tampa's Downtown

Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges

Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges

President & CEO

Kenyetta Bridges is an accomplished visionary and strategic leader with over 19 years of experience delivering innovative, and game-changing economic development results.

 

Her expertise includes Downtown placemaking, real estate development, corporate attraction and expansion strategies, financial incentives and deal structures and driving public private partnerships to optimize policy and investments that promote vibrancy and inclusion in the urban core.

 

Leveraging action-oriented approaches and strengths of working collaboratively with the private sector, non-profits, government, policy makers and elected officials, Kenyetta was instrumental in driving transformational investments in the City of Detroit. Notable examples include the $3B Future of Health development with Henry Ford Health System, Detroit Pistons, and Michigan State University, $1.5B District Detroit Development comprised of 10 projects in the Downtown district, Bedrock’s $1.4B Hudson Block Development, and Ford’s Motor Company’s $700M restoration of Michigan Central Train Station, now a state-of-the-art mobility hub.

 

Kenyetta’s hard work and dedication to supporting Detroit’s economic resurgence have earned her numerous accolades. She was selected to Leadership Detroit Class XXXV, honored as a Women of Excellence by the Michigan Chronicle including being selected as a distinguished Vanguard recipient, named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Women in Real Estate and in 2024 selected as a Women in Leadership Honoree by Corp Magazine.

 

Kenyetta earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University. She previously served on various Boards and Committees including the Invest Detroit, Investment Committee, Invest Detroit Community Development Board, Paradise Valley Conservancy and continues to serve on the Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone Board. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has always been committed to the community. Kenyetta is a native Detroiter, born and raised in Detroit and spent more than 20 years working to uplift Detroit’s youth through mission focused volunteer experiences. Including inspiring and supporting young girls through athletic programming, educational support, life skills and leadership development with the intention of providing unforgettable experiences and collective community impact with Detroit PAL.