The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit Announces Historic Leadership Appointments
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is celebrating a historic milestone with the appointments of Captain Shanell Debela as divisional secretary for Metro Detroit Area Command and Clenetta Frazier as chair of the Metro Detroit Advisory Board. Together, they become the first two women to serve in these roles simultaneously in the nonprofit's nearly 140-history in Metro Detroit.
Their appointments reinforce The Salvation Army's commitment to serving every person with dignity, compassion and respect while continuing its mission of meeting human needs in His name without discrimination.
"Shanell and Clenetta are exceptional leaders whose passion for serving the community will strengthen The Salvation Army's work throughout southeast Michigan," said Lt. Colonel Steven J. Merritt, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. "This moment is worth celebrating because it reflects the incredible leaders God has called to serve. Together, they bring unique perspectives, proven leadership and a shared dedication to ensuring every person knows they are valued and loved."
As the metro Detroit area commander, Captain Debela will oversee The Salvation Army's ministry and operations of the 13 corps community centers in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that provide food, shelter and other critical social services and programs to those in need.
Captain Debela began her professional career as a television news reporter where she developed a passion for storytelling. She transitioned from journalism to nonprofit, serving in a variety of leadership roles throughout The Salvation Army. Her ministry has included supporting survivors of Hurricane Katrina, leading programs for older adults, strengthening donor relationships and advancing mission-focused initiatives such as Pathway of Hope, a program that empowers families to break the cycle of poverty.
"God called me out of being a news reporter at WGN-CLTV in Chicago and told me He wanted me to do more service unto Him,” said Captain Debela. “Then Hurricane Katrina hit. I was hired by The Salvation Army as a Katrina Aid Today specialist, helping hurricane survivors settle in Chicago. That job changed my life and changed my perspective on The Salvation Army. I just wanted more.”
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and sociology from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts in theological studies with an emphasis in urban ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Throughout her career, Captain Debela has held leadership roles on several national and local boards, including World Day of Prayer, Rotary, CoC, the Illinois Shelter Alliance and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Captain Debela and her husband, Captain Kenesa Debela, general secretary for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, have been married since 1997 and are the proud parents of three children. Both were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in June 2020, and most recently served at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on Chicago's South Side.
As advisory board chair, Frazier will lead a group of business and community leaders who provide strategic guidance, advocacy and philanthropic support to The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit.
Frazier is a Benton Harbor, Michigan native who has called metro Detroit home for more than 20 years. A member of the Metro Detroit Advisory Board for the past 10 years, she most recently served as board secretary before being elected chair. She is the Founder and CEO of The HR Whisperer®, a strategic human resources consulting and executive advisory firm, and brings more than two decades of executive leadership and human resources expertise to the role. Beyond The Salvation Army, she serves on the leadership council and the health and human resources committee for the National Small Business Association and is a member of The Detroit Economic Club, The Dames, and ForbesBLK. Frazier, a resident of Rochester Hills, Michigan, holds a Bachelor of Arts in human resources and society and a Master of Arts in labor relations and human resources– both from Michigan State University in East Lansing.