Saunteel Jenkins

Saunteel Jenkins

Chief Executive Officer
The Heat and Warmth Fund

Saunteel Jenkins has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) since 2014. THAW, an independent nonprofit organization, provides energy assistance to Michigan residents in need. Since 1985, THAW has provided over $230 million in utility assistance to over 320,000 struggling Michigan families.

Before joining THAW, Jenkins served as a member of Detroit City Council from 2010 – 2014. She was led to run for public office by her desire to help improve the quality of life in Detroit and her passion for public policy. During her tenure, she was known as an effective and pragmatic voice on council. In 2013, she was elected President. She was the first council member in over 90 years to be elected by the body.

Jenkins also served as Director of the Residential Treatment Program at Mariners Inn, a Detroit homeless shelter for men fighting addiction; and Director of National Business Development for Platform Learning, a private education company that provided tutoring services to children in at-risk schools across the country.

Jenkins is currently the Board President for the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). She also serves as a member of Wayne State University’s Helping Individuals Go Higher (HIGH) Program Advisory Board; Henry Ford Hospital & Health Network Board of Trustees; Wayne State University’s School of Social Work Board of Visitors; Michigan Saves Board of Directors and the International Women’s Forum Michigan Board.

Saunteel Jenkins has a true heart for service and is dedicated to empowering others to meet their basic needs and improve the quality of life for families throughout Michigan.

A proud Detroiter, Jenkins received both her Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from Wayne State University. She lives in Detroit with her husband, Carl Bentley.