Kenneth Hayward
Detroit Regional Chamber > Ken Hayward

Kenneth Hayward

Vice President; Special Assistant to the President for Community Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Ken Hayward is responsible for leading and directing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s social mission and community affairs functions.

Before joining Blue Cross in 2021, Hayward spent over 35 years representing the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Beginning his career in 1985, Hayward progressed from sales representative to sales manager, then director of sales, before being appointed vice president of sales and marketing in 1993. In 2010, he became executive vice president and managing director, overseeing all hotel operations while continuing to be responsible for the branding and promotion of all hotel properties.

Active in the hospitality industry, Hayward was appointed to the Michigan Travel Commission by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005 and then reappointed in 2008. Ken served as the commission’s chairman from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure as chairman, Travel Michigan secured funding to develop the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, which continues today as a national brand and marketing effort for Michigan travel and tourism.

Hayward is the 2020 Pure Michigan Legacy Award Winner and the 2019 recipient of the nationally recognized “Hotelier of the Year” by Historic Hotels of America.

Hayward received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.