Patrick Irwin was proudly born and raised in the Mexicantown community of Southwest Detroit and has been an advocate for Southwest Detroit youth and neighborhood community engagement throughout his life. As a former boys and girls Holy Redeemer High School cross-country athletic coach at Holy Redeemer High School for 20 years, Patrick was named a USA Today “Coach of the Year” and also inducted into the Catholic League Athletic Hall of Fame for his coaching and mentoring efforts. Patrick is the founding board president of the Cesar Chavez Academy school system (having served 10 years in that role) as well as a founding board member for the WAY Academy High School. Patrick’s volunteer efforts in educating and supporting youth also include having serving as a board member for Holy Redeemer grade school/high school as well as leadership as a board member for the Archdiocese of Detroit school system. 

Currently, Patrick serves as a board member for the Comprehensive Health and Social Services Clinic (CHASS) in Southwest Detroit- a federally qualified health care clinic providing for health service and social justice through health care access and equality and also serving as an advisory board member for, Bridging Communities – a community based social services agency. Professionally, Patrick has been employed for over 20 years with the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) and is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for Henry Ford Hospital, Wyandotte Hospital and HFHS Immigration and Labor Relations Services. Patrick graduated from Detroit St. Gabriel Grade School, Detroit Holy Redeemer High School, completed his B.A. in Business Administration from Siena Heights University and received his M.A. in Industrial Relations from Wayne State University.