SHE LEADS
All school student assembly featuring an inspiring conversation about leadership, possibility and purpose with alumnae executives.

Mercy High School’s She Leads all school student assembly event brings together accomplished alumnae leaders Luanne Thomas Ewald ’87, Chief Operating Officer of University of Michigan Health’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital and Joi Plain Harris ’88, President and CEO of DTE Energy, for a conversation moderated by Rebecca Leddy McDonald ’91, ICF-certified Executive Coach at Rocket and Strategic Advisor at Rocket.

Luanne is a recognized healthcare leader and advocate for children and families, known for leading with empathy. Joi brings more than 30 years of experience in energy and a commitment to advancing women in leadership. Rebecca brings nearly three decades of experience at Rocket, where she has led teams across technology, product strategy and human resources and now coaches senior leaders.

Together, they will share personal experiences and practical insights on curiosity, grit and building relationships—encouraging Mercy students to recognize their potential and envision their own paths to leadership.

About Luanne Thomas Ewald '87, Speaker

Luanne Thomas Ewald ’87, M.H.A., FACHE is Chief Operating Officer of University of Michigan Health’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, where she provides strategic and operational leadership for nationally recognized programs dedicated to the health and well-being of women, children and families.

Luanne earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University and her Master’s in Hospital and Health Administration from Xavier University. Prior to joining University of Michigan Health, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Luanne is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an accomplished community leader. She serves in leadership and board roles with numerous organizations, including The Children’s Foundation, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Make-A-Wish Michigan, Ronald McDonald House Ann Arbor, The Parade Company and Mercy High School. She is also a co-host of WJR’s Women Who Lead, highlighting women leaders throughout Michigan.

Recognized for her leadership in healthcare and her commitment to women and children, Luanne has received numerous honors, including Crain’s Detroit Business recognition as one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women and a Notable Leader in Healthcare, as well as DBusiness Magazine’s Powered by Women Award. She is a frequent speaker on healthcare strategy, leadership and leading with empathy.

Luanne was named Mercy High School Distinguished Alumna in 2011.

About Joi Plain Harris '88, Speaker

Joi Harris is President and Chief Executive Officer of DTE Energy and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. With more than 30 years at DTE, she has built her career across engineering, operations and executive leadership, helping guide one of Michigan’s largest energy companies through a period of significant transformation.

Joi began her career with DTE Gas, formerly Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, and went on to hold leadership positions in distribution field operations, system control and transmission operations. She later served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Gas and as President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Energy, where she led both DTE Electric and DTE Gas as well as several key corporate functions. She was named President and CEO in 2025.

A Detroit native, Joi earned both a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. She serves on the boards of the Edison Electric Institute, Nuclear Energy Institute and Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, as well as the Skillman Foundation Board of Trustees and Wayne State University College of Engineering Board of Visitors.

Her leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations, including Crain’s Detroit Business, which named her a 2025 Woman of Influence, and the Michigan Chronicle, which honored her as Woman of the Year. She has also received the Energetic Women’s Maverick Award for her work supporting and strengthening women leaders in energy operations and engineering.

Joi was named Mercy High School Distinguished Alumna in 2025.

About Rebecca Leddy McDonald '91, Moderator

Rebecca McDonald, PCC is a Strategic Advisor and ICF-certified Executive Coach at Rocket, where she draws upon nearly three decades of leadership experience to advise, coach and develop leaders across the organization.

Since joining the company in 1997, Rebecca has held a wide range of leadership roles spanning operations, business consulting, technology, human resources, transformation and product strategy. Her executive positions have included Vice President of Human Resources, Senior Vice President of Technology Services, Senior Vice President of Lending Transformation and Chief Product Officer of Product Strategy. She transitioned into her current role as Strategic Advisor and Executive Coach in 2023.

A graduate of the University of Dayton, Rebecca brings a unique combination of business strategy, organizational leadership and executive coaching experience to her work. As an ICF-credentialed coach, she is passionate about helping leaders recognize their strengths, navigate change and continue to grow personally and professionally.

Rebecca returns to Mercy as the emcee of She Leads, helping guide a conversation designed to inspire the next generation of women leaders.