Theresa Orlaske-Rich, PhD
Director - WON Foundation and
Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University Following a 30 year corporate career in the automotive industry, Theresa Orlaske-Rich formed RichLaw, PLLC, a boutique law firm in Farmington Hills along with her husband, Attorney Brian Rich. With a specialty in estate planning, probate law, and guardianships, she is a council member in the State Bar of Michigan ELDRS (Elder Law and Disability Rights Section). Rich is also an elected official who currently serves on the Board of Education for Oakland County Intermediate School District and was previously on the Farmington Hills City Council. Dr. Rich is an adjunct professor of management at Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business Administration and on the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Advisory Council. She is an author and motivational speaker who has worked in 12 countries. Her work focuses on providing a voice for people who are frequently not heard: children, seniors at risk of exploitation, victims of domestic violence, and survivors of human trafficking. Born in Benton Harbor, Dr. Rich is a graduate of Lake Michigan College. She then transferred to Grand Valley State, earning two business degrees and then went on to Wayne State University Law School for two law degrees. When her now-adult children were young, she earned a PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University. Dr. Rich is a 2021 fellow in the Michigan State University-sponsored Michigan Political Leadership Program. In the summer of 2022, she will be attending the State and Local Executives in Government Program at Harvard University as a SEMCOG Taubman Fellow. Profession: Attorney: Estate Planning, Probate Law, Guardianships Current Elected Position: Oakland Schools Board of Education Former Elected Position(s): Farmington Hills City Council Current Appointed Position(s): Girl Scouts Advisory Council, SEMCOG Executive Committee/Education Bloc Chair, Michigan Democratic Party Women's Caucus Secretary Former Appointed Position(s): Numerous Farmington Hills Boards & Commissions, several committees for Farmington Public Schools, Michigan Municipal League Women's Council VP Award(s) / Recognition(s): St. Joseph High School Distinguished Alumni, Lake Michigan College Distinguished Alumni, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan One Tough Cookie Nominee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rich-6541972/ Twitter: @DrTheresaRich |