DETROIT - Zaineb Hussein, Wayne County's Director of Diversity and Inclusion, has been selected to participate in the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program, a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing community leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.

"I am honored and excited to be part of Leadership Detroit. I expect it will challenge the entire class to view some of the region's most vexing problems through diverse perspectives," said Hussein.

As Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Hussein was instrumental in helping declare Wayne County a Welcoming County and launching Wayne United, a program in the Wayne County Executive's office dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. She also spearheaded Wayne County's partnership with LA SED and Books for a Benefit to create a youth literacy library in Southwest Detroit.

"To be a part of a program of my peers all committed to making a difference, is exciting and gives me hope that we are all in this together as a region, even as this country feels so divided right now," Hussein said. "I look forward to taking back what I learn to make a meaningful impact in Wayne County."

As part of Leadership Detroit's Class XL, Hussein joins more than 70 executives from across Southeast Michigan, representing a cross-section of the community, including business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations.

"Real change is fueled by leaders who inspire us to choose new paths and who are willing to bring those pathways into reality," said Dan Piepszowski, senior director of community leadership development at the Detroit Regional Chamber. "Our ability to improve the quality of life in the region relies on a clear understanding that leadership is an ongoing activity that calls us to be creative, ingenious and committed to hard work. The Leadership Detroit experience reinforces that understanding by taking leaders out of their comfort zones to challenge long-held assumptions, embrace multiple perspectives, and connect them to a shared passion for the region."

As it has since 1979, Leadership Detroit will continue its role in addressing, discussing and leading conversations important to the Detroit region. The complete Leadership Detroit Class XL roster is available at detroitchamber.com/ld.