Palencia Mobley


Palencia Mobley, P.E.
Senior Director
Location: Detroit, MI
Email: palencia@polihire.com
Palencia Mobley, P.E. is an established authority on storm water, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure. In 2006, she became one of the youngest women of color ever to attain licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan. In 2016, she was appointed Deputy Director and Chief Engineer of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). Palencia also led negotiations on behalf of the city to establish the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).
In her 20 years of planning, designing, and constructing water and wastewater infrastructure, Palencia has worked to change the way stormwater is managed and improve water and sewer infrastructure across the country. She co-authored a budget proposal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that resulted in $8.9 million in discretionary funds for the City of Detroit in 2015. In 2018, Palencia was appointed by the governor to the Michigan Infrastructure Council.
Palencia earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University. She is a graduate of the 2020 Water Environment Federation Water Leadership Institute; Vice Chair of the Sinai Grace Guild Community Development Corporation; Co-Chair of the Water Infrastructure Task Force (2022) for the Southeast Council of Michigan Governments; Board Member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (2022); and Duke University Water Innovation and Leadership Fellow (2022). She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Alpha Rho Omega Chapter.
Meet the Team
The POLIHIRE team is a group of talented and dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence, accountability, and diversity. With their expertise and passion for identifying top leadership in public-serving agencies and organizations, they have achieved unparalleled success.

Kenyatta Uzzell
Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Nana Perry
Managing Director

James Banks
Senior Director and General Counsel

Brenda Donald
Senior Client Partner

De’Shawn Wright
Senior Director & Advisor

Melanie Bell
Senior Director

Dr. Kamala Uzzell Jones
Director of Search Assessment

Angie Viar
Director

Marcia Thompson
Senior Advisor

Palencia Mobley
Senior Director

Monique Stevens
Senior Consultant

KJ Ward
Director

Sharon Banks
Executive Coach

Leanne Okabayashi
Recruitment and Operations Manager
Advisory Board

Gen. Kip Ward (R)
Advisory Board Member

Stephanie D. Nellons-Paige
Advisory Board Member

Freddie Fuller
Advisory Board Member

Cindy Kupski
Advisory Board Member

Dr. Marc A. Love
Advisory Board Member