2026 Agenda

Join fellow business and policy leaders for connection, conversation, and insights from legislative leaders on Michigan’s future at A Toast to Michigan, the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee Reception (PAC) . Learn more. 

*Credentialed Media Only 

*Government Officials Only 

Talent development remains a top priority for Michigan’s economic future, and universities, government, and industry can work together to co-create stronger talent pathways. The discussion will explore how cross-sector collaboration can address shared challenges — from affordable housing and health equity to AI-driven manufacturing and community resilience. 

Panelists: Bob Riney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Ford Health; Chair, 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference 

Kevin M. Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University, Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber

Ronia Kruse, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, OpTech, Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Moderator: Ridgway White, President, Mott Foundation 

This session addresses ways to reinforce civic engagement and trust in the political process essential to sustaining a competitive economy. Participants will receive a strategic and real time perspective on what to expect around the 2026 elections and what business leaders can do to support accessible, secure elections and build confidence in the results, irrespective of which candidates prevail. 

Hear discussions with Michigan legislators and Cabinet members from both parties about the current political and economic issues during programming hosted throughout the Conference.

This session demonstrates why increasing accessible housing supports economic growth, mobility, and stronger communities statewide, and outlines cross-sector collaborative strategies to make that possible. 

Panelists: Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Rocket Community Fund and the Gilbert Family Foundation 

Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator (D-MI) 

Craig Willian, Chief Investment Officer, Invest Detroit 

Moderator: Tahirih Ziegler, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) 

MI Tri-Share offers a practical solution to child care costs by splitting them equally among the state, employers, and employees, making care more affordable while helping businesses attract and retain talent. This session will discuss how cross-sector partnerships like MI Tri-Share can address complex workforce challenges while strengthening Michigan’s economic future by supporting children and families. 

Panelists: Megan Russell Johnson, Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation 

Kelli Saunders, Vice President, Policy and Engagement, Small Business Association of Michigan 

Greg VanWoerkom, State Representative (R-Norton Shores) 

Moderator: Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) 

Speakers: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Bob Riney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Ford Health; Chair, 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference 

Speaker: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author 

Speaker: Mike Duggan, Independent Gubernatorial Candidate for Michigan 

*Breakfast available 6-9 a.m. 

* Credentialed Media Only

Join fellow business and policy leaders for connection, conversation, and insights from legislative leaders on Michigan’s future at A Toast to Michigan, the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee Reception (PAC). Learn more. 

*Government Officials Only 

This session will discuss how collective leadership and cross-sector collaboration can create durable policies, tangible action, and common ground to deliver measurable impacts for children and families, regardless of affiliation and ideology. 

Introduction: Yazeed Moore, Director, Michigan Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation 

Panelists: Elliott Haspel, Senior Fellow, Capita 

Andy Richards, Chief Operating Officer, Duncan Aviation 

Monique Stanton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Michigan League for Public Policy 

Moderator: Regina Bell, Chief Policy Officer, Council of Michigan Foundations 

The 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit is less than a year away. The session will highlight the many activities and events that will take place around the city throughout the weekend, and you will hear from coaches and former players who have participated on the impact the Final Four will have on the Region and state. 

Host: Claude Molinari, President and Chief Executive Officer, Visit Detroit 

Introduction: Dave Beachnau, Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Local Organizing Committee, 2027 NCAA Final Four Tournament 

Hear discussions with Michigan legislators and Cabinet members from both parties about the current political and economic issues during programming hosted throughout the Conference.

Speaker: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Introduction: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Speaker: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan 

Introduction: Bob Riney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Ford Health; Chair, 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference 

Speaker: Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States 

Interviewer: Roop Raj, Evening Anchor and Host, The Pulse, Fox 2 Detroit 

Speaker: Pete Buttigieg, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation 

Interviewer: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Speaker: Patricia Mooradian, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Henry Ford 

Speaker: Gary Sinise, Actor-Humanitarian and Founder, Gary Sinise Foundation 

Interviewer: Ty Steele, Evening Anchor, WDIV-TV Local 4 

Speaker: Matt Hall, Speaker of the House, State of Michigan 

As Michigan strives to become a top-10 state in education, there is an opportunity to learn from place-based efforts already underway to reimagine Michigan education from cradle to career. This session will highlight how partnerships between a school district and a university partner, aligned with a comprehensive community and economic development strategy, can improve educational outcomes, quality of life, and economic opportunity. 

Panelists: Jeff Donofrio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Leaders For Michigan 

Elizabeth Birr Moje, Dean, George Herbert Mead Collegiate Professor of Education and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture, Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan 

Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District 

Moderator: Wendy Lewis Jackson, Managing Director, Detroit, The Kresge Foundation 

This session will discuss how state leaders are working together to create the infrastructure for transformative education change, the consensus and momentum already underway, and where common ground still needs to be built. 

Panelists: Glenn Maleyko, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Michigan 

Michelle Richard, Senior Literacy Advisor, Executive Office, State of Michigan 

Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) 

Moderator: Angelique Power, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Skillman Foundation 

Panelists: Gary Peters, U.S. Senator (D-MI) 

Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator (D-MI) 

Moderator: Jason Colthorp, Anchor and Reporter, WDIV Local 4, NBC 

Hear discussions with Michigan legislators and Cabinet members from both parties about the current political and economic issues during programming hosted throughout the Conference. 

As digital infrastructure and energy needs become increasingly central to our economy, Michigan is leading the way on responsible data center development–proving there’s no need to choose between environmental stewardship and economic development. Join Google to examine what Michigan’s model gets right and where more coordination is needed. This panel will surface the policy levers, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships essential to turning data centers into community assets. 

Panelists: Jeff Donofrio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Leaders For Michigan 

Sandy Pierce, Corporate Board Executive, CEO Advisor, and Community Strategist 

Bill G. Schuette, State Representative (R-Midland) 

Randy Thelen, Chief Executive Officer, The Right Place 

Moderator: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author 

Speaker: Matt Elliott, Founder, Blue Lake Ideas; Chair Emeritus, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Panelists: Kevin M. Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University; Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Panelists: Joi Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, DTE Energy 

Ambassador John Rakolta Jr. (Ret.), Chairman, Walbridge 

Garrick J. Rochow, President and Chief Executive Officer, CMS Energy Corporation and Consumers Energy 

Moderator: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author 

Panelists: Paul D’Amato, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Michigan Capital Network 

Matt Rybar, President and Founder, Michigan Drone Association 

Aaron Slodov, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Atomic Industries 

Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator (D-MI) 

Global disruption is rewriting the rules of trade and manufacturing, and Michigan can help determine what comes next. Drawing on highlights from McKinsey’s latest geopolitical research, this session will spotlight Michigan’s competitive position, emerging opportunities, and practical strategies to build resilience and win in an uncertain world.   

Panelists: Robert Lighthizer, Former U.S. Trade Representative 

Gina Raimondo, Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce; First Female Governor of Rhode Island 

Moderator: Shubham Singhal, Chair, McKinsey Global Institute and Senior Partner, McKinsey and Co.

Panelists: Sarah Anthony, Michigan Senator (D-Lansing) 

Joi Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, DTE Energy 

Portia Roberson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Focus: HOPE 

Moderator: Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Rocket Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation 

*Breakfast available 6-9 a.m. 

*Credentialed Media Only 

Join fellow business and policy leaders for connection, conversation, and insights from legislative leaders on Michigan’s future at A Toast to Michigan, the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee Reception (PAC). Learn more. 

As industries evolve, Michigan’s long-term competitiveness depends on integrating education, employers, upskilling, and emerging technologies to meet changing talent needs. This discussion will explore strategies to enhance Michigan’s workforce pipeline, including AI tools for skills matching, reskilling, and cultivating future-ready talent. 

Panelists: Nancy DeBoer, State Representative (R-Holland) 

Moderator: Jeannine Kunz, Chief Executive Officer, SME 

What happens when housing providers, schools, nonprofits, and public agencies work as one connected system? This session will discuss practical insights into how cross-sector collaboration that reduces duplication, improves access, and expands opportunity can lead to meaningful, lasting change across Michigan. 

Panelists: Sean J. de Four, President and Chief Executive Officer, MiSide Community Impact Network 

Ryan Hertz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lighthouse 

Aubrey Macfarlane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteers of America – Michigan 

Moderator: Margaret Trimer, Vice President, Strategic

In an era where many institutions face fractured trust, economic challenges, political divides, and rising community expectations, making progress requires courage, clarity, and discipline to bridge differences. Using examples from Michigan, this session will explore what it takes to create lasting partnerships rooted in understanding, accountability, and respect.  

Panelists: Monica L. Merritt, Superintendent, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools 

Ned Staebler, Vice President, Economic Development, Wayne State University; President and Chief Executive Officer, TechTown 

RJ Webber, Superintendent, Northville Public Schools 

Moderator: Tansley Stearns, President and Chief Executive Officer, orsa credit union 

Hear discussions with Michigan legislators and Cabinet members from both parties about the current political and economic issues during programming hosted throughout the Conference.

Introduction: Jeff Nelson, Executive Vice President, Strategic Staffing Solutions 

Speaker: Mary Sheffield, Mayor, City of Detroit 

Speakers: Chris Sununu, 82nd Governor of New Hampshire; Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America 

Jon Tester, Former U.S. Senator, State of Montana 

Moderator: Zoe Clark, Associate General Manager and Political Director, Michigan Public 

Talent development remains one of Michigan’s strongest areas of bipartisan alignment. This session will explore how Michigan can build common ground to expand career-connected pathways that deliver tangible results. 

Panelists: Brandy Johnson, President, Michigan Community College Association 

Greg Handel, Chief Education and Talent Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Nerita Hughes, President, Bay College and Member, Michigan Workforce Development Board 

Glenn Maleyko, State Superintendent, Public Instruction, State of Michigan 

Moderator: David Egner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Spanning communities throughout the state, Rx Kids is the nation’s first community-wide parent and infant cash prescription program that rises above political divides to provide life-changing financial security during the critical period of pregnancy and infancy. This session will explore bipartisan and business-sector support for Rx Kids and its pragmatic solution to childhood poverty. 

Panelists: Mona Hanna, Founder and Director, Rx Kids 

Michael Horrigan, President, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research 

Megan Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Superior Health Foundation 

Moderator: Nicole Sherard-Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan 

Panelists: Charles Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park 

Patricia Mooradian, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Henry Ford 

Moderator: Megan Spanitz, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

The 2023 expansion of Michigan’s Brownfield program, traditionally reserved for environmental remediation, has made it a powerhouse tool for creating workforce housing. This session will discuss how legislative changes enable developers and communities to partner in delivering housing that would otherwise be unviable. 

Panelists: Brian Farkas, Vice President, Workforce Housing and Local Government Partnerships, Allen Edwin Homes 

Jordan Twardy, Director, Economic Development, City of Dearborn 

Don Wilkinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan 

Moderator: Joe Agostinelli, Founder, Michigan Growth Advisors 

Hear discussions with Michigan legislators and Cabinet members from both parties about the current political and economic issues during programming hosted throughout the Conference.

Panelists: Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News; Contributor, One Detroit, Detroit PBS 

Stephen Henderson, Executive Advisor, BridgeDetroit; Host, Detroit PBS 

Moderator: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Panelists: Ron Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bridgewater Interiors, LLC; Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber

Venessa Keesler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Launch Michigan 

Chandra Madafferi, President, Michigan Education Association 

Rick Snyder, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, SensCy; Former Governor, State of Michigan; Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber 

Moderator: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author 

Honoree: Gary Peters, U.S. Senator (D-MI) 

Speaker: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan 

Introduction and Interviewer: Tricia A. Keith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 

Honoree: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan 

*Separate Ticket Required 

Join fellow business and policy leaders for connection, conversation, and insights from legislative leaders on Michigan’s future at A Toast to Michigan, the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee Reception (PAC). Learn more. 

Panelists: Winnie Brinks, Senate Majority Leader, State of Michigan 

Aric Nesbitt, Senate Minority Leader, State of Michigan 

Matt Hall, Speaker of the House, State of Michigan 

Ranjeev Puri, House Minority Leader, State of Michigan 

Moderator: Zoe Clark, Associate General Manager and Political Director, Michigan Public  

*Credentialed Media Only