SEPTEMBER 21 • 2023 | 19
world. So, I decided to go for it.
”
Mark joined Deloitte in
2005. Six years later, he became
Michigan managing partner,
leading 1,200 professionals in
the Michigan practice — a quick
trajectory by anyone’s standards.
While there, he led the com-
pany to success and continued
his track record of helping
others in the community.
Mark launched the Deloitte
Cornerstone Career Pathways
program, a five-year pilot
program with Cornerstone
Schools, to provide students in
Detroit with enhanced training
in math, accounting, prob-
lem-solving, management and
business ethics. Mark also spent
two months in Flint during the
water crisis, assisting Mayor
Karen Weaver and her team in
recovery efforts.
He stayed in the managing
partner role for 10 years until
the company’s mandatory
retirement policy led him to
something new.
THE FISHER GROUP
Before his retirement from
Deloitte, representatives of The
Fisher Group, the central office
for the family of Max M. and
Marjorie S. Fisher, had reached
out to him, asking whether
he would consider being their
president and CEO.
“Because of my role at
Federation, I had a relationship
with a number of the principals
of the family,
” he says. “
And
when the family of Max Fisher
calls, you pay attention.
”
In a way, it was a full-circle
moment. Marks shared that
when he was 39, he received a
letter from Crain’s Detroit Business
telling him he has been selected
as one of its “40 under 40.” It
turns out that Max Fisher had
written a letter on his behalf, at
the request of Bob Aronson.
“When I went to the award
ceremony, Mary Kramer, the
publisher at that time, said to
the audience, ‘When I get a
letter from Max Fisher, I pay
attention.
’
“That recognition elevated
my profile beyond anything I
could have done on my own,
”
he added.
Phillip Wm. Fisher, son of
legendary philanthropist Max
Fisher, was the one who first
asked Mark to consider joining
The Fisher Group. “Mark is a
world-class leader and change
maker. I knew he was the per-
fect candidate. It was beshert.
”
Jane Sherman, daughter
of Max Fisher, said, “The
smartest thing The Fisher
Group ever did was to hire
him. I don’t know of a person
more mensch-like than Mark
Davidoff. I don’t know a per-
son who doesn’t like him. He’s
there for you. He’s got a brilliant
mind. He creates consensus.
”
Max Fisher received the
Butzel Award in 1964. “Mark
now joins a broad list of people
who have changed the Jewish
community,
” Phillip Fisher said.
“
And although he disdains
attribution and always points
the credit to others for the
achievement of any goal, I don’t
think I’ve ever met a leader
like Mark. He’s comfortable in
front of local, state, regional
and national leaders. He’s diplo-
matic to the core. I think Mark
is a ‘mini-Max.
’ I really do.
He has a way of collaborating
with people and bringing them
together.
”
Mark said, “Being the pres-
ident and CEO of The Fisher
Group is an honor because I’m
in a position to help the family
do what they do to repair the
world, individually, collectively
and through the Max M. and
Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.
To sit in a seat that in theory
Max Fisher sat in at one point is
pretty high ground.
”
DETROIT SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
Mark has also made an impact
on the Detroit Symphony
continued on page 20
STORY
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