Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced Bob Riney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Ford Health, as the Chair of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference and the First Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Riney will succeed Kelly’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Quigley, who is serving as the 2025 Conference Chair and will become the Chamber’s Board Chair on July 1.
Bob Riney
“This gathering every year is really impactful for Detroit, the Region, and the entire state of Michigan, and I look forward to what we can come together and focus on in 2026,” said Riney. “It’s going to be an incredibly important election year locally, statewide, and nationally, which only adds to the impact we can have when we come together to focus on the issues that are vital to the growth, sustainability, and viability of the state of Michigan.”
Riney has dedicated more than 45 years to Henry Ford Health, serving as Chief Executive Officer since 2022. A proud Detroiter and Wayne State University graduate, he has played a pivotal role in the organization’s transformative growth, including its joint venture with Ascension Michigan, which expanded Henry Ford Health to 13 hospitals, 50,000 team members, and over 550 sites of care.
Riney’s leadership is also a driving force behind Destination: Grand, the complete reimagination of Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus, including the addition of a state-of-the-art, 20-story hospital with enhanced emergency and surgical facilities. This initiative strengthens Henry Ford Health’s position as a leader in medical innovation while contributing to Detroit’s revitalization.
“With Michigan facing disproportionate economic risks and uncertainty in a critical election cycle, we need to put our innovation-based economy into high-gear, and I can’t think of a better leader to tee up that conversation at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference than Bob Riney,” said Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber. “With Bob at the helm, Henry Ford
Health has continued to double down on its commitment to Detroit’s revitalization and is playing a critical role in bolstering our Region’s standing as an innovation hub and medical care destination.”
Known for his deep understanding of healthcare operations and his commitment to the community, Riney serves on numerous boards, including the Chamber, The Parade Company, and Business Leaders for Michigan, reflecting his dedication to advancing the region. Riney has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2022 and on the Executive Committee since 2024.
Planning for the 2026 Conference will begin this summer. Riney will lead an advisory committee of Michigan-based Chief Executive Officers and Chamber leadership to develop the theme and agenda for next year’s event, which will take place from Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29, at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
The Mackinac Policy Conference – the Chamber’s annual statewide event – convenes Michigan’s most influential audience to engage in collaborative dialogue on the state’s economic future. Since 1981, the Conference has provided a unique-in-the-nation experience for Michigan’s top business, government, civic, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial leaders. As Michigan’s premier policy event, the Conference attracts more than 1,500 attendees annually to discuss key issues facing the state. The Conference concludes with an actionable To-Do List that transforms dialogue into positive outcomes to create a more business-friendly climate in Michigan. To learn more, visit detroitchamber.com/mpc.