2025 Distinguished Alumna Award
The Mercy High School Alumnae Association is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumna Award, Joi Plain Harris ‘88. The Distinguished Alumna Award honors a woman who makes a difference in her walk of life and exemplifies and supports the Mercy Core Values of Compelled by Mercy, Educational Courage, Inspired by Faith, Principled Leadership and A Voice For Dignity and Respect. Congratulations, Nicole!
Mercy President Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger '66 will give the awards during Tea for Tuition on Sunday, April 13, 2025. We invite you to join us! Learn more here.
Joi Plain Harris ‘88
Joi Harris is president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy. She is responsible for leading both DTE Electric and DTE Gas utilities, as well as Customer Service, Information Technology, Corporate Services and the Environmental Management and Safety organizations.
As a senior leader at DTE, among many accomplishments, she has served as the president and chief operating officer of DTE Gas and has also led the construction of
renewable energy projects and the company’s Blue Water Energy Center, positioning the company for a future of clean and sustainable energy production.
Harris’ career with DTE spans more than 30 years. She joined DTE Gas (formerly Michigan Consolidated Gas Company) in 1991 and served in leadership positions in areas including distribution field operations, system control and transmission operations.
Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wayne State University. She holds a number of advisory roles in the industry, including serving as vice president of the board of directors for the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP). In addition, she is a member of the Wayne State University College of Engineering Board of Visitors as well as the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Skillman Foundation.
Harris has been recognized by the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence program as Woman of the Year and received Energetic Women’s Maverick Award – special recognition to leaders who have set the standard in promoting, connecting and strengthening female leaders in energy operations and engineering in the energy industry.