Theresa Rich is a mother, advocate, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader who has dedicated her life to service above self. Growing up, she learned the importance of hard work and giving back to others from a young age. After her mom was diagnosed with cancer and her dad lost his job, Theresa and her siblings relied on free and reduced lunch programs while in grade school. That formative experience drove her to pursue a life of advocacy on behalf of the vulnerable and voiceless, including Michigan’s 1.4 million schoolchildren, many of whom are food insecure.

For over two decades, Theresa has gotten results locally through her work on:

• Farmington Hills City Council – Driving force behind the expansion of task force focused on preventing and addressing domestic violence, the first of its kind in the state and a pilot for other communities in the region.

• Oakland Schools Board of Education – Has served as officer of Oakland Schools for over a decade, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently for Intermediate School District serving over 200,000 students in 28 school districts.

• Commission on Children, Youth & Families – Led strategic planning initiative to improve lives of local children, youth and families.

• S.A.V.E Task Force (Serving Adults who are Vulnerable and/or Elderly) – Serves as chair of task force focused on increasing awareness and addressing elder abuse in cross-disciplinary partnership, including Oakland County Circuit Court and the Prosecutor’s Office.

• Farmington Area Arts Commission – Tasked with enhancing culture and art in the Greater Farmington community.

• Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Advisory Council – Providing insights to help equip girls with tools and resources to grow into young women of courage, confidence, and character.

• Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired – Past President of Board of Trustees of organization focused on assisting those who lose vision; recognized as Crain's Detroit Business "Best Run Non-Profit under $5 million.”

• Heritage Hills Homeowners' Association – Steered effort to secure community funding for successful building of a playground.

• Farmington Hills/Farmington Foundation for Youth and Families – Board member of local nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of young people and families in our community.

• Committee to Increase Voter Participation – Appointed by mayor to improve voter participation in all elections and increase the quality and quantity of publicity and information regarding such elections.

For over three decades, Theresa was an attorney at General Motors, leading the company’s diversity and employee development initiatives efforts, before starting a private law practice seven years ago to assist local families with will, guardianship, and probate issues. She also serves on the faculty of the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business and is a proud American Federation of Teachers union member.  

For over 25 years, Theresa and her husband, Brian, have proudly called Farmington Hills home. They chose to raise their children, Zachary and Alyson, here because they sought good schools, friendly neighbors, and a welcoming, diverse, inclusive community with top amenities. 

In her free time, Theresa enjoys taking classes at the Y, cheering on the Detroit City Football Club, and volunteering with the Willow Run chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA) where she helps recognize and preserve the history and legacy of working women during World War II.  

Theresa is running for Mayor to establish Farmington Hills as a destination city and continue building a community that works for everyone. She is committed to positioning our community as a place of opportunity for everyone, from those who grew up here to those aging in place.