By the numbers
Oct. 29, 2025
The number of people who made the cut.
269
By age
33
Youngest honoree age
Crain’s new Who’s Who list highlights nearly 300 of the most influential people in Southeast Michigan – the leaders setting agendas, shaping policy, building businesses and driving change across the region.
Median honoree age
58
Oldest honoree age
85
By alma mater
The Who's Who list naturally leans toward established leaders — which often means experience, and with it, age. But Southeast Michigan’s next chapter is already being shaped by some of its youngest executives.
Roughly 58% of Who's Who honorees earned their undergraduate degrees from Michigan colleges and universities, at least among the 244 who shared their education history with Crain's. Not surprisingly, the state’s largest schools have the most alums on the list. Fifty of the Who’s Who earned their undergrad degree at the University of Michigan, while 42 are Michigan State University grads. Wayne State University rounds out the top three with 12 alumni. Albion College, Harvard College and Cornell University follow with six grads each.
As for grad school, Michigan led with 33 honorees on the list. Michigan State (17) and Wayne State University (16) followed.
Top undergraduate schools attended
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Albion College
Cornell University
Harvard College
Central Michigan University
50
42
12
6
6
6
5
6
Northwestern University
9
Harvard University
16
Wayne State University
17
Michigan State University
33
University of Michigan
Top graduate schools attended
Explore our authoritative ranking
Please note, Who’s Who is a special feature that requires an All-Access subscription. An All-Access subscription unlocks proprietary Crain's research and analysis, including our annual rankings of the Detroit area’s largest privately held companies, highest-paid CEOs, fastest-growing companies and much more. If you'd like to change your existing subscription, please contact customer service at customerservice@crainsdetroit.com or 877-824-9374.
Here's a breakdown of the list, by the numbers.
of honorees went to high school in Michigan
74%
(of the 198 who responded to this question)
The vast majority of respondents sit on at least one board. Here’s a look at the most popular.
Detroit Economic Club
32
Detroit Regional Chamber
34
Board memberships
Business Leaders for Michigan
27
23
11
Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Parade Co.
See who made the cut
4
Georgetown University
4
Miami University
4
Northwood University
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
10