David Mérot
Why I Support the Community Foundation
David Mérot of Wellington is Director of the EDA (U.S Economic Development Administration) University Center for Community & Economic Development at the University of Michigan. He has extensive background in strategic thinking, global effective management, brand and marketing strategy, and economic development research and implementation.
Mérot has been involved in numerous economic development research projects, including a bi-annual seven-county wages and benefits survey, broadband access study, opportunity youth fiscal scan, literacy network data collection, and data visualization. He has supported local business owners to expand their operations in the area and into international markets in partnership with the State of Michigan STEP grant economic development initiative.
Mérot has facilitated and developed creative approaches related to entrepreneurship, community development, and several issues surrounding nonprofit funding, coalition implementation, and data collection for nonprofits and organizations in the region with the support of the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Harding Foundation and The Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
He holds a master’s degree in finance from EDC Paris. Prior to his arrival in Michigan, Mérot worked in several countries and in multiple multinational firms.
- Mr. Mérot and his wife have been dedicated for the past 10 years to the preservation of historical structures and landmarks in Palm Beach County, and he is currently serving on the board of local historical preservation committees.
- They are both passionate animal welfare advocates who support wildlife sanctuaries and other animal rescue programs in the United States and throughout the world.
- The importance of education is of so much value to him that he has successfully led teams to acquire federal and state grants to grow the talent pipeline in underserved communities, including the construction of a new University of Michigan innovation center in Flint, Michigan.
- He is actively involved in fostering the innovation and entrepreneurship mindset in youth, including the development of a suite of programs for elementary and middle school students.
