DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Last week, Governor Whitmer announced further appointments to several state boards and commissions. Important among them was the appointment of Siham Awada Jaafar to the Judicial Tenure Commission.

Jaafar, of Dearborn Heights, is the president and CEO of 3D Consulting and Communications. She is also the president of the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center and the founder and producer of the Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference. Jaafar holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and communication from Wayne State University and a civil litigation mediation certificate from the University of Detroit School of Law. She was appointed to represent a general public member appointed by the governor for a term commencing Jan. 17 and expiring Dec. 31, 2022. She succeeds Melissa Spickler, whose term expired on Dec. 31.

Much of Jaafar’s work centers around diversity and inclusion, training corporations, law enforcement and other entities on such issues. The Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference, now in its 17th year, brings together various stakeholders around the topic of diversity and inclusion. She describes her work in dispute resolution, which benefits many families in Wayne County, as something near and dear to her heart.

“Being a small part of the process and creating a platform for fairness is something I am passionate about,” Jaafar told The Arab American News about her latest appointment. “Holding the judicial system accountable to citizens is very important.

“Being part of that process is an honor, something I take very seriously and is something I plan to work very hard on and hopefully be able to make an impact.”

Jaafar was recognized as one of the “2019 Esteemed Women of Michigan” by the Bernstein Foundation and was given the American Arab Chamber of Commerce Champion of Diversity Award in 2018. She was honored by Wayne County Commissioner Diane Webb with the “Women of Distinction Award” in 2014 and recognized by NAWBO as one of the “Top 10 Michigan Women Business owners” in 2015. The Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference will take place on April 30 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn and will celebrate its fifth year in Chicago in November.

The Judicial Tenure Commission serves to promote the integrity of the judicial process and preserve public confidence in the courts. The Commission strives to hold state judges, magistrates and referees accountable for their misconduct without jeopardizing or compromising the essential independence of the judiciary. The basis for Commission action is a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct or Rules of Professional Conduct, which are published with the Michigan Rules of Court.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.