Governor appoints two new members to Oakland University Board of Trustees

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointments of Colleen Ochoa Peters, of Bloomfield Hills, and Stefen J. Welch, of Detroit, to the Oakland University Board of Trustees. Both were appointed to eight-year terms that will run through August 2030. They replace Melissa Stolicker and W. David Tull whose terms have expired. 

Peters is the founder of Meaningful Impact Consulting where she directs strategic gift planning, foundation relations, and program management for national and local nonprofits. She brings three decades of prior professional experience in the philanthropic, financial services and public sectors. During her career, she has worked with donors and professional advisors to establish endowed funds, planned gifts and donor advised funds, resulting in millions of dollars to benefit nonprofits in Southeast Michigan. 

Peters also supports the Vision To Learn mission in Michigan, helping thousands of students in underserved communities across the state receive the eye exams and glasses they need to succeed in school and life, free of charge.  Through her longtime affiliation with Forgotten Harvest and Lighthouse, she is focused on fighting food insecurity and building equitable communities to alleviate poverty. She serves as Vice President of the M-1 Concourse Checkered Flag Foundation, supporting transportation solutions for families through Pontiac Community Foundation’s M-1 Mobility program.  

A first-generation college graduate, Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Oakland University and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University. While at OU, she was active in student life, from chairing the Student Program Board to serving on Oakland University’s 25^th Anniversary Committee. 

She is a past Oakland University Alumni Association (OUAA) Chair, OUAA Assistant Director and a recipient of the OUAA’s Spirit Award. She has served on Meadow Brook Hall fundraising committees and was a founding advisory board member for OU’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Peters and her husband Gary are the proud parents of three adult children and are lifelong Oakland County residents. 

Welch serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for the NBA's Detroit Pistons. A Detroit native, Welch focuses on the team's strategy to attract and acquire diverse talent, professional development opportunities for employees and identifying strategic business initiatives. Previously, Welch led DEI for national retailer Saks OFF 5TH and the country's largest mortgage lender, Rocket Mortgage.

Welch’s unique take on local and national initiatives has led him to various panels and conversations regarding DEI, including the Black Fashion Movement, Deloitte Bersin IMPACT Conference, Center for Automotive Diversity Inclusion and Advancement (CADIA) Rev Up Conference, Detroit Policy Conference eTail West and headversity's Upstream Summit. 

To promote life as a Detroiter, Welch has blogged for the Detroit News' DVoice, which explores Detroit’s revival with those who live, work and play in the city. He has also appeared on Huffington Post Live as a guest panelist covering various topics in the Motor City. Additionally, Welch has served on multiple boards and committees, including Black Family Development, Inc., Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) and the Oakland University Black Alumni Committee. 

In 2011, Welch was recognized by Oakland University for his community involvement, receiving the Oakland University Alumni Association Community Service Award. Welch was also recognized by DBusiness Magazine's 2021 class "30 in their Thirties" issue. 

Welch earned a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University, a Master of Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University. He has also studied at Howard University within the Executive MBA program. Welch is married to his wife Kaniqua and the proud father to their daughter, Aria.

The next Board of Trustees formal session is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, February 6, in Oakland Center Banquet Room A.