Detroit City Council members this week sat down with 10 finalists competing for one of Detroit’s most influential yet often under-the-radar posts: the city ombudsman. They are expected to vote on the appointment as early as next week.
The ombudsman is the person Detroiters call when city services fail, when complaints get lost in bureaucracy, or when residents feel their voices don’t reach the top. The office serves as a watchdog and mediator, bridging citizens and government, with authority to investigate complaints across city departments. The role comes with a decade-long term and a salary of $195,000, reflecting the weight of the responsibility. The current ombudsman, Bruce Simpson, reaches the end of his appointment on October 5.
City Council narrowed the pool of applicants and brought forward a mix of names that reflect both government insiders and community-rooted leaders. Among them is Gail Barnard, the current deputy ombudsman, who already has experience navigating citizen grievances within the office. Anthony Zander, who leads Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, is also in the running, bringing a background in equity enforcement. Tiffany Tilley, a member of the Michigan State Board of Education, has positioned herself as an advocate for families and young people, while District 2 manager Kim Tandy would arrive with experience directly tied to Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration.
Several candidates come from broader civic and political networks. Dennis Perkins, a contract advisor with the NFL Players Association and former staffer for Council Member Latisha Johnson, brings both national and local exposure. Darius “Cope Hope” Huff, a U.S. Department of Labor project manager, ties federal workplace perspectives to Detroit. Former state lawmaker and current Detroit school board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo is seeking to extend her record of public service. Reggie Davis, who once served on the Wayne County Commission and now works with Council Member Mary Waters, offers a mix of county and city hall experience. Rounding out the list are Anthony Reddit and Jessica Gates, both of whom bring their own visions for how the office could work.
Gay-Dagnogo, who has long been active in Detroit politics and education, spoke openly after her interview. “I was honored to be selected as one of 10 candidates to share my vision for the appointment to be your next city of Detroit ombudsman before the members of the Detroit City Council,” she said. “This 10-year appointment begins October 2025. I remain prayerful as I am eager to serve the city I love.”
The choice carries weight beyond filling a vacancy. A 10-year appointment means whoever is selected will shape how complaints about city services, housing conditions, police interactions, and countless other issues are addressed well into the next decade. With Detroit continuing to navigate questions about equitable growth and government accountability, the ombudsman’s office stands at the intersection of resident trust and city performance.
Council’s decision, expected in early October, will determine whether Detroit doubles down on internal expertise, leans into political experience, or charts a new path through a fresh voice. What’s certain is that residents will be watching closely—because how the city listens and responds to its people will depend on the leadership of the office chosen in the coming days.
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