Brighton Pavilion

Higher education research is a critical economic and community development driver, fostering innovation, job creation, and regional growth. Revoking federal funding for these research efforts will hinder development and innovation in health care, agriculture and food production, manufacturing, and other key job sectors. This session will explore how university research institutions are essential to the equation of Michigan’s continued growth.

Brighton Pavilion

This session will discuss the clear vision that Michigan’s statewide housing leaders have laid out to work collaboratively across sectors to help solve the myriad challenges facing the industry, helping to add resources, remove barriers like access and affordability, and build capacity to ensure Michigan’s future competitiveness.

Brighton Pavilion

As Michigan continues to build and advance economic opportunities by fostering innovation, the use and implementation of AI can support the state’s talent strategies. This session will focus on actionable, near-term investment opportunities in capacity, infrastructure, and talent that will be critical to unlocking the state’s potential to become a national hub for innovation.

Brighton Pavilion

Join leaders of public spaces in Detroit to hear a conversation about the way transformative projects like the Detroit Riverfront and Joe Louis Greenway have served as a catalyst for new developments in public space. Learn how public spaces and greenways can work together as a system to better connect our communities, attract and retain professional talent, support the health and well-being of neighborhoods, and spur economic development along them.

Grand Pavilion

Learn where education is heading and how finding common ground is essential to get there. This session will illuminate key transformations underway that promise to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for every Michigan student, including some bipartisan K-12 education policy movements happening this year.

Theatre

Detroit Regional Chamber President & CEO Sandy K. Baruah and Conference Chair Peter Quigley kick off the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Theatre

Emmy Award-winning Journalist Guy Gordon, Alliance for Automotive Innovation's President and Chief Executive Officer John Bozzella, Martinrea International Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer Pat D'Eramo, Chief Executive Officer and Entrepreneur in Residence at TechTown Detroit's Tu Le, and Ford Motor Company's Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Smith have just been added to the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference speaker line up.

Theatre

Political scientist and Eurasia Group and GZERO Media President and Founder Ian Bremmer has over two decades of experience in international affairs, during which he has advised numerous policymakers and business leaders. Known for his unique ability to break down complex global issues into digestible insights, Bremmer will deliver an update on the current state of global politics.

Theatre

Honoree: Devin Scillian, Journalist and Author. Presenters: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber; Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representative (D-MI 6); Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News; Contributor, One Detroit, Detroit PBS; Stephen Henderson, Executive Advisor, BridgeDetroit; Host, Detroit PBS; Christy McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Sammac Communications Inc.

Theatre

Speaker: Kevin Rudd, Ambassador of Australia to the U.S; Former Prime Minister, Australia. Interviewer: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Theatre

Speaker: Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Interviewer: Rick Albin, Political Reporter, WOOD-TV 8

Theatre

Detroit has a passionate fan base and a proud history of supporting women’s sports. In January 2025, Pistons Owner Tom Gores and his wife, Holly Gores, teamed up with prominent Detroit leaders from business, sports, and entertainment to submit a bid for a WNBA expansion franchise. This effort represents a significant and unprecedented investment in the community to drive economic growth and foster meaningful impact.

During this panel, moderated by Siebert Williams Shank & Co.'s Suzanne Shank, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and She’s Got Time Founder Swin Cash-Canal, Managing Director of USA Basketball, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, and Detroit WNBA Investor Grant Hill, Corporate Board Executive, CEO Advisor, and Community Strategist Sandy Pierce, and Pistons Sports and Entertainment's Arn Tellem will discuss the collaborative effort behind the bid and explore the ways a WNBA expansion franchise could enrich the Detroit Region economically and socially.

Theatre

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan used his final keynote address at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference as the city’s mayor to discuss Detroit’s progress under his tenure.

Theatre

Honoree: Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit. Presenters: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber. Nicole Sherard-Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman, Pistons Sports and Entertainment; Past Chair, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber.

Brighton Pavilion

Public education requires support from all Michiganders to succeed, and it is in the best interest for Michigan to invest in the next generation of talent. Join this session to hear an insightful conversation about moving Michigan’s K-12 to Top-10 Ranking.

Grand Pavilion

Housing conditions and stability directly influence health outcomes and overall well-being. This session will discuss the challenges and opportunities in addressing housing as a key factor in public health and explore collaborative strategies to improve community well-being through innovative housing solutions.

Brighton Pavilion

Growing Michigan’s defense industrial base is a national priority with strong bipartisan support across all levels of government. This session will explore how Michigan can build on its long, proud legacy as the “arsenal of democracy” to help reimagine America’s national security capabilities and lead defense-related technology and workforce development initiatives.

Theatre

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

Peter Quigley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly; Chair, 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference

Theatre

Reps. Tom Barrett, Debbie Dingell, Bill Huizenga, and Kristen McDonald Rivet participate in a panel discussion about their efforts to leverage talent, develop strong policies for competitiveness, build strong infrastructure, and create sustainable resources through partnership and collaboration to help Michigan thrive.

Theatre

Goolsbee participates in a moderated conversation with the Detroit Regional Chamber's President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy K. Baruah. He will leverage his experience with the U.S. economy and monetary policy to offer insights into the labor market, current economic conditions, and the Federal Reserve's work to combat high inflation in recent years.

Theatre

Moderated by Fox 2’s Roop Raj., nationally syndicated columnist, author, podcaster, and TV commentator S.E. Cupp and Black Press USA White House Correspondent and author April Ryan, will explore key political topics, like the Trump administration, congressional priorities, and emerging global political trends.

Brighton Pavilion

Investing in and building places that center community voice in community and economic development is critical to the Detroit Region’s economic vitality and growth. This session will inform business and industry leaders about how they can benefit from increased regional coordination and collaboration in building communities that attract and retain talent and support economic prosperity.

Grand Pavilion

Community foundations are neutral bridge-builders and convenors, fostering partnerships and enhancing economic opportunities through cross-sector models. This session will discuss how strategic investments by community foundations improve infrastructure, attract talent, and ensure Michigan’s competitiveness.

Theatre

Hear from BAMF Health's Dr. Anthony Chang, StockX's Greg Schwartz, Opnr's Andrea Wallace, and TiiCKER's Walter Ward III at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

The entrepreneurs will participate in a moderated panel discussion with Huntington Bank's Gary Torgow, exploring Michigan's diverse ecosystem of resources that support high-growth startups. This dynamic environment fosters creativity and innovation while offering financial support, talent, and other essential resources, positioning Michigan as an emerging hub for tech companies. The panelists will delve into the key factors that drive entrepreneurial success and share insights from their own journeys.

Theatre

Panelists: Tina Freese Decker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corewell Health

Linda Hubbard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Carhartt Inc.

Jerry Norcia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DTE Energy

Peter Quigley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly; Chair, 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference

Moderator: Daniel Howes, Senior Editor/Business & Columnist, The Detroit News

Sponsor: PNC Bank

Theatre

Ford and Ford English will engage in a dynamic discussion about the evolving U.S. and global automotive industry. They will delve into how a company's core values can remain constant while its culture adapts, share strategies for attracting and retaining talent in Michigan, and emphasize the importance of community investment. Additionally, they will explore the dynamics of running a family business, including the opportunities and challenges of multi-generational leadership at Ford.

Theatre

Speaker: Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

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

Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Theatre

Honoree: Tammy J. Carnrike, Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

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

Suzanne Shank, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siebert Williams Shank & Co.; Chair, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, State of Michigan

Tea Garden Tent

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

Confirmed candidates: James Craig

Fred Durhal III

Saunteel Jenkins

Solomon Kinloch Jr.

Mary Sheffield

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

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