Notable Women in Construction Winner
Lajuan Counts
Director of Demolition, Capital Projects, & Facilities
City of Detroit
LaJuan Counts is the Director of Demolition, Capital Projects, & Facilities for the City of Detroit, and a 26-year veteran in construction and contractor management. In 2020, she was appointed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to lead the newly-formed Demolition Department and oversee the execution of Proposal N for Neighborhoods (Prop-N).
Prop-N is a $250 million bond-funded initiative created to address over 8,000 blighted residential properties in Detroit through demolition and stabilization. Before taking the helm of Detroit’s Demolition Department, Dir. Counts served in various roles with the City of Detroit, including Superintendent of Building Maintenance and Deputy Director of Building Operations, managing maintenance services for 140+ facilities. Mayor Duggan recently returned responsibility to Dir. Counts for Capital Projects and Facility Maintenance, institutionalizing a “cradle-to-grave” philosophy. This collective role – creating, maintaining, and eventually taking down facilities – allows her team to manage the construction and care for all city-owned properties throughout their useful life spans. When she’s not running the largest demolition program in the country, Director Counts enjoys trying new local restaurants and spending time with her granddaughter. She earned a B.S. in Building Construction Technology from Michigan State University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Director Counts continues to pave new pathways and advocate for women in construction. Early in her career, she remained in the shadows because her goal was to just get the job done - even when leading many projects. Since becoming the Demolition Director in 2020, she has made it her mission to send a clear message that women have a place in the construction industry. Ms. Counts also volunteers her time giving back to the community she loves and is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.