Denise Ilitch is a talented entrepreneur who has been an innovative

Denise Ilitch is a talented entrepreneur who has been an innovative and influential leader in Michigan’s
business and philanthropic communities for 30 years. She is best known for her impressive track record
as a successful business executive, having led a multitude of high-profile companies and iconic real
estate developments in the region. She is also a devoted community servant and tireless supporter of
several charitable causes.
Ms. Ilitch is “Of Counsel” at Clark Hill PLC where she advises clients in the areas of business practice,
corporate law, and government policy. Her expertise also includes mediation for dispute resolution.
She is the owner of Denise Ilitch Designs and the co-owner and publisher of Ambassador Magazine,
which promotes positive aspects of the Detroit region to strengthen and uplift the community.
Through her extensive involvement and various leadership roles within the diverse portfolio of Ilitch
Holdings companies, Ms. Ilitch has developed a very broad range of business skills, including deep
expertise in executing large scale real estate developments. She has successfully led a number of high
profile complex projects from inception through completion, including an unprecedented $600 million
side-by-side sports stadium development in the heart of downtown Detroit. Ms. Ilitch is also a seasoned
asset manager, having overseen the ongoing operations of an extensive portfolio of commercial
properties including entertainment venues, gaming and hospitality, food service, and retail enterprises.
Her leadership experience in other industries includes restaurant franchise, food manufacturing,
non-profit fundraising, and transportation companies. She has earned the titles “Marketing Innovator of
the Year” and “Best & Brightest Marketer” and has been celebrated by Corp! Magazine and Crain’s
Detroit Business Magazine in their “Top Business Women” and “Most Influential Women” features.
Ms. Ilitch has served on the Boards of many civic, business, professional, charitable and civil rights
organizations, including serving as co-chair for the 2009 Detroit Crisis Turnaround Team. She has also
received numerous awards and recognition for her exceptional contributions to such organizations, and
for her invaluable leadership in the Michigan community. For the past seven years Ms. Ilitch has been a
regular panelist on the “Michigan Matters” CBS 62 television program which focuses on relevant issues
concerning the metro Detroit area. She current serves as an ACLU Advisory Committee Member, as
Trustee for the Skillman Foundation, and as Regent on the University of Michigan Board of Regents,
where she also chairs the Personnel Compensation & Governance Committee of the Board. Ms. Ilitch
earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from the
University of Detroit School of Law. She and her husband live in the Detroit area and have three
children.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:
PRESIDENT ~ ILITCH ENTERPRISES, INC.
Among her many career accomplishments, Ms. Ilitch currently serves as President of Ilitch
Enterprises, Inc. which manages operations of its portfolio companies Ambassador Magazine and
Denise Ilitch Designs. In keeping with her deep commitment to strengthen and promote investment and
development in the Detroit community, Ms. Ilitch and her partner Dennis Archer Jr. created Ambassador
Magazine to showcase the region and its many positive aspects. The publication delivers uplifting and
inspirational messages about the vibrancy and diversity of the Detroit Community.
Denise Ilitch Designs is a specialty store offering one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry and a unique
collection of exotic, stylish and whimsical accessories, apparel and home décor items. The collection
highlights local designers, and is featured in the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American History.
PRESIDENT ~ ILITCH HOLDINGS, INC.
Ms. Ilitch served as President of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. from 2000 to 2004, with management
responsibility for all of its portfolio businesses which include top brands in the food, sports and
entertainment industries. In 2012, combined annual income for the portfolio totaled $2.6 billion. The
Ilitch Companies are known for bringing customers the very best – whether it’s a delicious, quality meal
from Little Caesars, championship sports from the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, unforgettable
live theater and entertainment at its top-rated venues like the Detroit Fox Theatre, City Theatre and the
Palladium, Birmingham 8 and Ren Cen 4 Theatres, or high-tech gaming and luxury accommodations at
MotorCity Casino Hotel. Other portfolio companies include a fundraising business, a distribution
company, a food manufacturing company, and a real estate development company. Ilitch Holdings is
committed to corporate responsibility and supports its local communities through financial
contributions, sponsorships, and in-kind donations totaling more than $4.4 million annually.
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LITTLE CAESAR ENTERPRISES: The fastest growing pizza chain with
franchise locations in 15 countries around the world. Founded by the
Ilitch family in 1959, Little Caesars is one of the top 50 franchises for
Minorities, and contributes to its communities through a variety of unique
programs such as Little Caesars youth hockey, the Little Caesars Love
Kitchen, and the Little Caesars Veterans Program.
DETROIT RED WINGS: Professional hockey team housed at Joe Louis
Arena in downtown Detroit.
DETROIT TIGERS: Professional baseball team housed at Comerica Park in
downtown Detroit.
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA KITS FUNDRAISING PROGRAM:
This
fundraising program was founded by the Ilitch family in 1997 to assist
non-profit organizations in their fundraising activities. The program raises
millions of dollars for thousands of schools, churches, sports teams, and
other community-based organizations throughout North America.
MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL: High-energy gaming, world-class luxury
hotel accommodations, spa facilities, fine dining, live performance venues,
exclusive ultra-lounge, and 67,000 square foot state-of-the-art meeting and
conference facilities.
BLUE LINE FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION: A full service, premier
foodservice distribution company with a 40-year history of providing its
customers with innovative supply chain solutions. Blue Line’s network
provides restaurant equipment, food, paper products and restaurant
supplies to foodservice facilities anywhere in North America.
CHAMPION FOODS: A leading manufacturer of top quality food products
including both Private Label and Branded Take and Bake Pizza,
Breadsticks, Calzones, Cookie Dough, and Scones.
UPTOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Owns and operates premium movie theatres
in Michigan: The Birmingham 8 which is a historical landmark built in
1927; the Palladium 12 which is also in Birmingham, and the RenCen 4
located in downtown Detroit.
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ILITCH
HOLDINGS
COMPANIES
OLYMPIA ENTERTAINMENT: Manages and operates several properties and
premium entertainment venues, including:
FOX THEATRE: Detroit’s crown jewel and a National Historic
Landmark, the Fox Theatre has played host to some of the biggest
names in show business.
CITY THEATRE: This intimate 430-seat theatre has the unique
atmosphere of an off-Broadway house, right in the heart of
Detroit’s entertainment district.
JOE LOUIS ARENA: This 20,000 seat ice arena located along the banks of the Detroit River is
home to the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings hockey team.
COMERICA PARK: This nationally acclaimed open-air ballpark was opened in downtown
Detroit in 2000 as part of an unprecedented urban development project led by Ms. Ilitch, and is
home to the Detroit Tigers baseball team (see page 5).
CITY THEATRE
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PRESIDENT ~ OLYMPIA DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Ms. Ilitch served as President of Olympia Development, LLC from 1996 to 2004, overseeing all
activities for this full service real estate development company responsible for developing, investing in,
and operating some of Detroit’s most recognized and visited venues. In this role she led a team of
prominent business leaders and government entities which jointly developed a vibrant entertainment and
sports district in the heart of Detroit, including a $600 million side-by-side stadium project consisting of
Comerica Park and Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions football team.
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AWARDS &
AFFILIATIONS
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
CIVIC & CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS
Ms. Ilitch has tirelessly served the community in a number of roles.
She is currently an ACLU Advisory Committee Member, and a
Regent on the University of Michigan Board of Regents where she
also chairs the Personnel Compensation & Governance Committee
of the Board. Ms. Ilitch has previously served as a Member of the
Board of Directors for many organizations including the Detroit
Branch of the NAACP, NStar Community Bank, Clockwork
Services, and the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Chicago. She also served as a Detroit Red Wings Alternate
Governor for the National Hockey League, and as a Board Member
of Major League Baseball.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Ms. Ilitch has a long history of volunteerism and philanthropic
service. She is currently a Trustee of the Skillman Foundation,
and previously served as a Member of the Board of Directors for
many charitable organizations including the Detroit Renaissance,
Karmanos Cancer Institute, Starfish Family Services, Kids Kicking
Cancer, the Detroit Conservancy, and March of Dimes Walk
America.
Ms. Ilitch founded Ilitch Charities for Children, The Lovelight Foundation,
and the Atanas Ilitch Osteosarcoma Foundation. She also established the
Denise Ilitch Scholarship Fund at Walsh College, and has been a long-time
supporter of Amateur Sports through various Ilitch organizations.
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AWARDS &
AFFILIATIONS
AWARDS
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Michigan Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America,
2013 Honoree of the 36th Annual “Gala Evening at the Movies”
S.T.A.R. Foundation, 2013 “Women of Power” Award
New York-Presbyterian Hospital Children’s Cancer and Blood
Foundation, 2012 Breakthrough Spirit Award
Rhonda Walker Foundation, 2012 Powerful Women of Purpose
Michigan Women’s Foundation, 2011 Trillium Lifetime
Achievement Honoree
International Great American Traditions Award, B’nai B’rith
International, 2007
Clara Barton Award, American Red Cross, 2007
Alumnus of the Year, University of Detroit School of Law, 2007
Honorary Degree, Central Michigan University
Named one of Michigan’s Top Business Women by Corp!
Magazine 2004
Honored by Karmanos Cancer Institute for leadership and
commitment to the City of Detroit, 2004
Distinguished Service Award, Professional Category by the
Michigan Business and Professional Association, 2004
Named one of Michigan’s 95 Most Powerful Women by Corp!
Magazine, 2002
Named one of the 100 Most Influential Women by Crain’s Detroit
Business Magazine, 2002 & 2003
Inducted into Detroit’s International Heritage Hall of Fame, 1999
Named one of Northwood University’s Distinguished Women,
1999
Named Marketing Innovator of the Year by the Sales and
Marketing Executives of Detroit, 1998
Honored as one of four Women of Achievement by the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 1998
Named as one of the Michigan commercial real estate
community’s Five for the Future winners by Commercial Inc.,
1997
Named Woman of the Year by both Women Mean Business in
Dallas and Boys Town of Italy, 1997
Named as one of Detroit’s Newsmakers of the Year by Crain’s
Detroit Business Magazine, 1996
Recognized by Advertising Age Magazine as one of the country’s
Best and Brightest Marketers, 1992
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