Vision, Purpose and Leadership

Clarinda Barnett-Harrison and Ritchie Harrison are urban planners, nonprofit executives, and the co-founders of Planning TES, established in 2019. Rooted in Detroit—where they were raised—they share a deep, lifelong passion for community development and for the improvements that make neighborhoods not just livable, but thriving.

Their diverse backgrounds shape a practice defined by action. Planning TES specializes in urban planning and community development while also offering fractional leadership that fills critical gaps and advises clients on organizational development. Together, they have built a track record of working with boards, leadership teams, and staff to develop programs that deliver tangible, lasting outcomes for communities and organizations. Their initiatives span strengthening career education in schools, advancing environmental sustainability, and connecting communities to nature and the outdoors.

Their combined experience runs deep. With over 40 years driving neighborhood transformation and spatial equity across Detroit, their work encompasses trauma-informed planning, greenspace equity, cross-sector partnerships, and strategic operations. Notable contributions include shaping the community vision for the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, co-directing the Great Lakes Leadership Academy at Michigan State University, and designing community-oriented engagement for institutions such as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. A commitment to inclusive, values-driven urban redevelopment anchors everything they do—turning vision into measurable social impact.

Team

  • Clarinda Barnett-Harrison

    Co-Founder and Principal

    Summary: Clarinda Barnett-Harrison is a dynamic executive leader with over 22 years of experience driving urban planning, economic development, strategic operations, and equity-centered transformation across Detroit and Southeast Michigan. She has held high-profile leadership roles across municipal, corporate, higher education, and philanthropic sectors—including serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority, Director of Talent Development and Programming at Michigan Central, and Head of Equity and Inclusion for Ford’s Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Businesses. A recognized thought leader in economic mobility and spatial justice, Clarinda specializes in leveraging strategic cross-sector partnerships, developing diverse talent pipelines, and integrating equity into large-scale urban development and mobility frameworks.

    Urban Planning, Economic Development & Executive Leadership

    • Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority: Served as Chief Executive Officer, leading operational management, strategic transformation, and future visioning for the iconic Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC).

    • United Way for Southeastern Michigan: Served as Senior Director of Economic Prosperity and Executive Director of the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund, pioneering regional economic mobility strategies and workforce initiatives throughout Southeast Michigan.

    • University of Michigan-Dearborn: Led business and foundation engagement as Executive Director, leveraging university research, intellectual capacity, and talent assets to spur statewide economic development.

    • Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): Held pivotal leadership roles advancing economic growth, regional strategy, and business development across local and state levels.

    Equity, Mobility & Talent Strategy

    • Michigan Central: Spearheaded skill initiatives as Director of Talent Development and Programming, building diverse talent pipelines for the future of mobility, forging strategic university partnerships, and empowering underrepresented founders.

    • Ford Motor Company (Autonomous Vehicles & Mobility): Served as Head of Equity and Inclusion, advising executive leadership on embedding equity principles directly into product design, mobility service deployment, and go-to-market strategies.

    • Planning TES, LLC: Serves as Lead Principal, co-designing equity frameworks, participatory governance models, and community-centered development strategies across Detroit neighborhoods.

    Education & Professional Certifications

    • Master of Urban Planning (MUP) – Concentration in Economic Development, Wayne State University

    • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts – Concentration in Economics, Management, and Psychology, University of Michigan

    • Professional Economic Development Certification – Wayne State University

    • Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification – National Development Council

    • Inclusive Placemaking and Planning for Equitable Cities Certification – University of Detroit Mercy

    Honors, Awards & Board Leadership

    • Michigan Chronicle – 'Who’s Who in Black Detroit' (2025) & Women of Excellence Honoree (2018)

    • Ford Motor Company – Global DEI Team Award (2021)

    • Crain’s Detroit Business – 40 Under 40 Honoree (2017)

    • Michigan Business Professional Association – Women in Leadership Shooting Star Award

    • Michigan Economic Developers Association – Mike Conboy Award for Professional Development

    • Detroit Young Professionals – Vanguard Award

    • Board Service: Board Member for Eastside Community Network, Belle Isle Conservancy, and Junior League Council for the Detroit Institute of Arts

  • Ritchie H. Harrison

    Ritchie H. Harrison

    Co-Founder

    Summary: Ritchie H. Harrison is an accomplished executive leader with over 15 years of experience driving neighborhood transformation, spatial equity, and community development across Detroit. Currently serving as the Managing Director of Planning and Engagement at Sidewalk Detroit and Co-Founder of Planning TES, he specializes in trauma-informed planning, cross-sector partnerships, and strategic operations. His distinguished career includes pivotal roles such as Community Development Planner for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy—where he spearheaded the community vision for Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park—and Co-Director of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy at Michigan State University. A dedicated public servant, Ritchie also represents District 4 on the City of Detroit Planning Commission, consistently leveraging his expertise to foster inclusive, values-driven urban redevelopment and lasting social impact.

    Community & Neighborhood-Based Experience

    • Leads spatial trauma-informed planning, greenspace equity initiatives, and community consulting engagements across Detroit and Grand Rapids for Sidewalk Detroit.

    • Led the West Riverfront Park Design Competition and its Community Advisory Team (CAT), laying the foundational vision and groundwork for the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park. 

    • Served as Project Manager for the Detroit East Riverfront Framework Plan, collaborating with global firms and local stakeholders to refine strategies for urban redevelopment, affordable housing, and economic growth.

    • Designed and led community-oriented design and engagement processes for major institutions, including the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History's sustainable master plan.

    Facilitation & Instructional Experience

    • Co-directed the Great Lakes Leadership Academy's Leadership Advancement Program, designing and delivering comprehensive leadership curricula for mid-career professionals across diverse sectors. Designed and implemented educational workshops facilitating collaboration between various community stakeholders for social impacts 

    • Created and implemented organizational frameworks to guide staff professional development, aligning talent development and learning with core business activities and mission. 

    • Organized and facilitated enriching domestic and international study trips—including to Costa Rica, Texas, and Louisiana coastal communities—to deepen perspectives on leadership and community development.

    Education

    • Master of Science in Community Development, University of Detroit Mercy (School of Architecture)

    • Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and Development & Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship, Eastern Michigan University