Brighton Pavilion

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
Laura Lee McIntyre, Provost, Michigan State University
Ronia Kruse, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, OpTech

Moderator: Ridgway White, President, Mott Foundation

Brighton Pavilion

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
Amy Hovey, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority 
Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator (D-MI)

Moderator: Jordyn Hermani, Capitol Reporter, Bridge Michigan

Theatre

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

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Speaker: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author

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Speaker: Mike Duggan, Independent Gubernatorial Candidate for Michigan

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

Brighton Pavilion

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:
Elliot 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

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

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

Speaker: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

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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

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

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

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

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

Brighton Pavilion

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
Wendy Lewis Jackson, Managing Director, Detroit, The Kresge Foundation
Elizabeth Birr Moje, Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan
Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Moderator: Rip Rapson, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Kresge Foundation

Grand Pavilion

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:
Jennifer Granholm, 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy and Former Governor, State of Michigan
John Rakolta III, President, Walbridge  
Liz Schwab, Head, Data Center Market Development and Policy, Google 

Moderator: Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director, MichAuto; Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Brighton Pavilion

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.

Introduction: Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District

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

Grand Pavilion

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

Brighton Pavilion

Panelists:
Anthony Chang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BAMF Health
Anika Gardenhire, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Michigan Medicine
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, President, Michigan State University

Moderator: Dennis Butts, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Network Development Officer, Henry Ford Health

Grand Pavilion

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
Andrew Yang, Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author, and Co-Founder, Forward Party

Moderator: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author

Brighton Pavilion

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.

Brighton Pavilion

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)
Jeannine Kunz, Chief Executive Officer, SME


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

Grand Pavilion

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 Partnerships, Delta Dental of Michigan

Theatre

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

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Speaker: Mike Rogers, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Former U.S. Representative

Interviewer: Rick Albin, Political Reporter, WOOD-TV 8

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Speaker: Cornel West, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair and Professor, Union Theological Seminary

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

Speaker: Mary Sheffield, Mayor, City of Detroit

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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

Theatre

Panelists:
Hilary Doe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Move Detroit
Jared Fleisher, Chief Executive Officer, Bedrock
Rachel Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Gardner White

Moderator: Dennis W. Archer Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sixteen42 Ventures

Brighton Pavilion

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

Grand Pavilion

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

Theatre

Participants:
Abdul El-Sayed, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Mallory McMorrow, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Michigan Senator (D-Royal Oak)

Haley Stevens, Candidate for U.S. Senate; U.S. Representative (D-MI 11)


Host: Michigan Debate Task Force

Moderators:
Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for The Detroit News and Contributor for Detroit PBS’ One Detroit
Stephen Henderson, Executive Advisor at BridgeDetroit and Host at Detroit PBS

Grand Pavilion

Panelists:
Ron Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bridgewater Interiors
Venessa Keesler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Launch Michigan
Chandra Madafferi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Education Association
Rick Snyder, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, SensCy; Former Governor, State of Michigan

Moderator: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author

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

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

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Speaker: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

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

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Honoree: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

Presenters:
Dennis W. Archer Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sixteen42 Ventures
Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
Tricia A. Keith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Gary Torgow, Chairman, Board of Directors, Huntington National Bank