Today’s conversation is part of our Leadership Lens series – where we focus on leaders from across Michigan industries and communities to learn about their journeys, leadership philosophies and the experiences that have shaped them. This time around, Jim is joined by Amy McMillan, CEO of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, for a conversation about leadership, culture and the evolving role parks and outdoor recreation play in building a stronger Michigan!

Jim kicks off a special series on one of the most talked-about – and often polarizing or misunderstood issues facing Michigan's future: data centers. As demand for digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, so do questions about energy, water, land use, economic opportunity and community impacts.

Over the next several episodes, we'll explore what's driving this growth, what's at stake for Michigan and what responsible development could look like moving forward.

We begin the series with the authors of a new independent analysis conducted by Public Sector Consultants for the Michigan Chamber Foundation, Detroit Regional Chamber and Business Leaders for Michigan. Joining Jim are Maggie Pallone and Jeff Guilfoyle, who led the research effort!

Jim takes a closer look at the Michigan and Ontario border and one of the most integrated economic relationships in the world – not just trading goods but building products together across shared supply chains. That connection supports a significant share of Michigan’s economy and plays a key role in North American competitiveness. At the same time, evolving tariff and trade policy and upcoming USMCA agreement review are creating new questions for employers trying to plan, invest and grow.

We’re joined by key voices from our state’s leading industries to share what that relationship really means on the ground – and what comes next:
- Sandy Baruah, President & CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber - which also runs MichAuto, a voice for automotive manufacturing and next-generation mobility
- Chuck Lippstreau, President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim is joined by Steve Davis, recently named Michigan region president for the combined Fifth Third and Comerica operations. He’s stepping into this role at a moment of real change – leading through a major integration while the banking industry itself continues to evolve. We talk about what it takes to lead in that kind of environment, what this transition means for Michigan businesses, and how the role of regional banks is shifting in today’s economy.

Jim is joined by Tricia Keith, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. From her roots on a Michigan dairy farm to leading one of the state’s most influential health insurers, Tricia brings a grounded perspective on what it takes to operate through cost pressures, system complexity and constant change in healthcare.

This conversation is part of our Leadership Lens series – focused on how organizations navigate complex, high-stakes challenges in transitional and turbulent times.

What does it really take to prepare students for today’s workforce – and are we starting early enough?

In this episode, we explore a new approach to workforce readiness: AP Career Kickstart, a set of courses developed by The College Board in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce based on significant research and feedback.

Joining us are:
- Jeff Metts, a mid-Michigan business leader and prominent manufacturer focused on talent development
- Alyssa Chudnofskey, executive Director at The College Board, helping shepherd this new programming

Housing is a quality-of-life issue – and an economic one. Across Michigan, employers are struggling to attract and retain talent and families are struggling to find homes they can afford.

In this episode, we’re digging into what’s driving the state’s housing shortage and why it matters – and also what it will take to fix it.

Joining us are leaders from across the housing ecosystem to talk about the barriers, the realities and the path forward:
- Brad Ward, Michigan Realtors
- Dawn Crandal, Home Builders Association of Michigan
- Randy Gross, our Michigan Chamber lead on this issue.

Michigan’s political and policy landscape is taking shape for 2026 – from legislative debates to early signals in what will be one of the most consequential election cycles in recent memory.

In this episode, Jim is joined by two of the state’s top Capitol insiders and our chief business advocate to break down what’s actually happening, what matters most – and what comes next:
- Zach Gorchow, president of Michigan operations, Gongwer News Service
- Kyle Melinn, editor and co-owner, Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS)
- Wendy Block, senior VP of business advocacy, Michigan Chamber

Jim leads the discussion on permitting in Michigan – why it matters, where the system works and where it doesn’t. And how a regulatory process that is efficient, transparent and predictable is crucial to job creation and our shared future – all while still protecting our state’s natural resources.

Joining him to break that down:
- State Representative Bill Schuette and Chair of the House Rules Committee and Red Tape Reduction Initiative
- Mike Patwell, Member and Senior Director at Clark Hill
- Mike Alaimo from the Michigan Chamber