
The Michigan Opportunity
An economic development podcast featuring candid conversations with business leaders across Michigan.
Episodes
217 episodes
S5 Ep.9 - Tonya Schuitmaker, J.D. & Rudy Hobbs Co-Directors at the Michigan Political Leadership Program
Bridging Divides: The Michigan Political Leadership Program takes a bipartisan approach to public policy at Michigan State UniversitySince 1992, over 800 Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) graduates have applied the skil...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 9
•
32:01

S5 Ep.8 - Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, Founder and Executive Director, CIV:LAB and Allison Lucas, Chief of staff CIV:LAB
Using innovation to attract urban talent to sustainable cities including: NYC, LA County, and Detroit (plus a touch of London and Italy)!CIV:LAB was born out of a need for more coordination and c...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 8
•
35:29

S5 Ep.7 - Marty Fittante, Chief Executive Officer, InvestUP
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) is filled with exceptional views and exceptional talent. From Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marie, the UP is home to three state universities, several manufacturing companies, and many national outdoor recreation e...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 7
•
26:11

S5 Ep.6 - Dwight A. Ferrell, General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
From work commutes to connecting people with destinations across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, SMART has been Southeast Michigan’s trusted transit provider since 1967.As the General Manager of the
•
Season 5
•
Episode 6
•
25:02

S5 Ep.5.- Michael Van Denend, Executive Director, World Affairs Council of Western Michigan
Around the World in 30 Minutes: Insights from the Executive Director of Grand Rapids’ 75+ Year-Old World Affairs CouncilThis week we talk with Michael Van Denend, Executive Dir...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 5
•
30:45

S5 Ep.4 - Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
Uniting the Voices of Chambers and Economic Leaders Across Northern Michigan and the Upper PeninsulaOn this episode we chat with Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 4
•
28:09

S5 Ep.3 - Dr. Brittney Affolter-Caine, Executive Director, Michigan's University Research Corridor
Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) works with Michigan’s three leading research institutions: Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University, on a growing interest in technology based economic develop...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 3
•
30:21

S5 Ep.2 - Trey Devey, President, Interlochen Center for the Arts
What do Terry Crews, Rumer Willis, Josh Groban, Norah Jones and many more artists have in common? They all attended Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts!Listen to Interlochen President,
•
Season 5
•
Episode 2
•
33:43

S5 Ep.1 - Quentin Messer, Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, MEDC
Michigan’s Economic story and what’s next for the state.We begin our fifth season by connecting with longtime podcast supporter and returning guest, Quentin Mes...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 1
•
26:38

S4 Ep.51 - Jessica McConnell, Director of CMF & Graphic Design, Whirlpool
Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Michigan, is behind iconic brands like Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana. Hear from one of their top designers!Jessica Mc...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 52
•
29:24

S4 Ep.50 - Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO, Automation Alley
Step Into the Future of Innovation: The New Integr8 Series with Automation Alley. Thomas Kelly joins as we explore AI, 3D printing, mass customization, Industry 4.0, and beyond.We chat with returning guest,
•
Season 4
•
Episode 51
•
30:37

S4 Ep.49 - Kiana Wenzell, Co-Executive Director, Design Core Detroit
Listen as Kiana Wenzell shares the inspiring stories of College for Creative Studies, Design Core Detroit, and Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Journey.
•
29:06

S4 Ep.48 - Ann Thomas Battersby, Executive Producer, WJR Radio
WJR is a Detroit-based AM radio station that broadcasts throughout Detroit, southeast Michigan, and parts of northern Ohio. At night, it can also be heard in most of the eastern United States and eastern Canada. WJR is one of the most powerf...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 49
•
30:25

S4 Ep.47 - Jeff Gray, Superintendent of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA
On October 7, 2000, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration designated Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as the nation's first national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Now the sanctuary oversees nearly 100 historic shi...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 48
•
32:41

S4 Ep.46 - Qiong Sun, Vice President & GM of Global Automotive E-mobility, TE Connectivity
Mobility and automotive technology today is about connectivity and becoming an information center. Qiong Sun has been working with cutting edge technology and innovation, from industrializing to commercializing it. Michigan-b...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 47
•
30:02

S4 Ep.45 - Michigan Tech Week 2024
Where can you find innovation pitches for venture capital, networking opportunities, entrepreneurs, founders, investors and inventors? Michigan Tech Week!Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures at Michigan Tech Wee...
•
50:55

S4 Ep.44 - Ernestine Lyons, Global Entrepreneur In Residence Program Manager, Global Detroit
Global Detroit: Empowering Communities and Driving Economic GrowthErnestine Lyons manages Global Detroit’s Global Entr...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 45
•
23:14

S4 Ep.43 - Dean Angott, President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy
Preserving Detroit's Dairy Legacy Through Innovation and Tradition! Dean Angott serves as Chairman and President of C.F. Burger C...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 44
•
26:50

S4 Ep.42 - David Washburn, CEO, MSU Research Foundation
The MSU Research Foundation is focused on helping Michigan State University achieve its objectives around economic development through the technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property created by its faculty, staff, and ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 43
•
30:49

S4 Ep.41 - Bill Morrison, Illustrator and Art Director at Atomic Battery Studios
From The Simpsons to Futurama, Mad Magazine to Bongo Comics, Detroit artist Bill Morrison has created art loved by generations. Hear from Bill Morrison, acclaim...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 42
•
34:15

S4 Ep.40 - Michigan Mobility Conference 2024: From Supply Chains to Talent Attraction – Unveiling the Future of Hydrogen, EV Charging Software, Infrastructure, and Urban Transport
Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures in the mobility industry following the inaugural Michigan Mobility Conference. Hosted by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electri...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 41
•
1:18:55

S4 Ep.39 - Michael Schreuder, Deputy Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai
With experience working in 8 Countries, this Michigan native now serves in India with the U.S. Department of State, facilitating international business opportunities. Listen to
•
Season 4
•
Episode 40
•
33:56

S4 Ep.38 - Scott J. Bentley, Superintendent of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Hear from a 30-Year National Park Service Veteran: From Yellowstone and the Oklahoma National Memorial to George Washington Carver National Monument, Now Leading River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe MI.
•
Season 4
•
Episode 39
•
30:19

S4 Ep.37 - Christina Marbury, Marketing Director, Taste the Local Difference
Representing most of Michigan’s 83 Counties with various products, this Traverse City-based organization supports local business!Listen to Christina Marbury of ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 38
•
30:43

S4 Ep.36 - Eric Larson, Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership is a 100+ year old organization that has worked with many notable partners including Detroit Grand Prix Association, the National Football League Draft, UNESCO City of Design and more. Since 2014,...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 37
•
33:29
