LISA WEBB SHARPE:
 
ALEX BURKULAS




 
 
 
 
 
 
Director of the State of Michigan’s Department of Management and Budget (DMB) in Lansing since 2005. The DMB, with more than 800 employees, provides business services for the state government, including financial, auditing, human resources, fleet, travel, state procurement, printing, and mailing, as well as facility design, construction, and operation services. It also issues and sells bonds and notes for acquisition and construction of facilities and equipment through its State Building Authority, and administers retirement programs for state and public school employees, judges, and state police through its Office of Retirement Services. In 2008 Webb Sharpe was recognized for her work on the “Buy Michigan First” campaign, receiving the award for distinguished service to state government from the National Governors Association. Prior to her appointment, Webb Sharpe served as Governor Granholm’s cabinet secretary and policy director, working closely with all 19 state departments on operational and policy issues. She also led the development of the Cabinet Action Plan, which tracks and measures department performance. The plan was instrumental in ranking Michigan as the third best-managed state in the nation by Governing magazine. Webb Sharpe previously served as the group executive for human services under Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. She was recognized for taking the city’s public housing from troubled status to standard performing and approaching high performing standards in three and a half years. She has also served as director of housing services for the Traverse Group, an environmental engineering firm. Crain’s Detroit Business named her a “Women to Watch” in 2008, the same year she received the Michigan Business and Professional Association’s Women in the Workplace Leadership Award. Webb Sharpe actively volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and her local Parent Teacher Organization. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity, receiving its Daniel Vehar Leadership Award. Webb Sharpe received her bachelor’s degree in personnel and industrial relations from Eastern Michigan University and an MBA in international business from Wayne State University.


WHERE BORN: “Seville, Spain.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “My husband, Felix. He’s a great advisor and motivator and inspires and guides me in a lot of things that I do. Also, my parents, who instilled honesty, a strong work ethic, and the importance of education, which has helped in my career.”

LAST BOOK READ: "I usually read a couple at the same time.What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith. And I also read a great book by a Michigan author,What If? Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue by Steve Robbins.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Pragmatic, honest, and a mom.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED:  “It’s moving toward greater consolidation and shared services where we leverage technology, talent, and money. The public expects accountability from those in the public sector, and we need to demonstrate that by using a variety of transparency tools such as Web-based information and disclosure in government. We need to re-evaluate our mission and role and determine the services we should provide and how they should be provided.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “My trusty BlackBerry.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Home with my family.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “Watching junior tennis – my daughter plays – and antique shopping with my husband.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “I love seafood and also love any dish my mother-in-law makes. She’s an excellent cook and makes a lot of Cuban dishes.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “Calmness in a storm. When in an emergency or crisis, I remain calm and think through everything that needs to occur, then I decide to mitigate or get out of the situation.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “As someone who cared about people and had a positive impact on my corner of the world.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception on April 22, 2010, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.