Originally uploaded October 9th, reloaded October 20th.

Chris Holman welcomes Tina Kerr, Executive Director, The Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA), Lansing, MI.

Welcome Tina, remind the Michigan business community about MASA?

We were together recently up in Traverse City at a conference in mid September, tell us about that?

From the General Sessions, Networking and Professional Development what were some highlights?

What's the biggest issue facing MASA at this time?

Tell us more about MASA and exploring innovative approaches in education and talent?

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MASA’s Fall Conference is an annual event dedicated to inspiring district leaders, exploring innovative approaches in education, and breaking through conventional boundaries. During general sessions with keynote speakers and numerous learning sessions over the course of three days, MASA members will learn from and engage with other thought leaders and trailblazers, and walk away with ready-to-implement ideas and resources to help tackle challenges, embrace change, and unlock limitless potential in their education communities.

When: Sept. 17-19

Where: Grand Traverse Resort.

Chris welcomes Steve London, President and COO, Bekum America, Williamston, MI.

Welcome Steve share with the Michigan business community about Bekum America?

Bekum America was honored with the MMA’s 2025 Talent Champion Award. From a business standpoint, how has your apprenticeship program strengthened productivity, retention, and long-term competitiveness?

You’ve sustained this workforce model for more than 30 years. What design choices or leadership commitments have allowed the program to evolve alongside changing manufacturing technologies and skill needs?

Many manufacturers struggle to build reliable talent pipelines. What lessons from Bekum’s mentor-driven apprenticeship approach could other Michigan manufacturers realistically replicate?

As Michigan manufacturing looks toward the next decade, how does investing in talent development fuel innovation, and how is Bekum positioning its workforce to stay ahead of industry change?

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Chris Holman welcomes back Lindsey M. Mead, Associate, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC Attorneys Lansing with 5 offices across Michigan.

(1) What is the WBENC WBE certification?

There are a lot of acronyms here, but WBENC stands for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. WBENC offers a women’s business enterprise or WBE certification. Through the WBENC, WBE-certified businesses are offered the opportunity to work with diverse suppliers and purchasing executives with hundreds of United States corporations that accept WBENC certification. The WBENC connects certified women businessowners to their community through networking events and mentoring programs, as well. The WBENC encourages all certified women-owned businesses to utilize their authorized logo and seal after receiving WBE certification so these businesses can showcase its commitment to women ownership and leadership in an easily identifiable way.

(2) What is a WOSB or EDWOSB certification?

The United States Small Business Administration has created two contracting programs – the women-owned small business or WOSB program and the economically disadvantaged WOSB program or EDWOSB program. To participate in either, you must qualify as a small business under the SBA’s size requirements and receive a WOSB or EDWOSB certification from the SBA. The intention when creating these programs was to level the playing field for women business owners in predominately male-dominated industries. The SBA limits competition for certain federal government contracts to certified WOSBs or EDWOSBs only. However, the SBA maintains a list of eligible trades and industries that can qualify for either program – they are not available certifications to all women-owned businesses.

(3) What are the typical eligibility criteria you see for these types of federal certifications?

Though the eligibility criteria differs through each individualized program, these certifications are looking for evidence that your business is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or multiple women. To prevent situations where a company obtains WBENC or SBA certification simply by assigning ownership shares to a woman while not allowing her to actively lead or manage the business, both organizations require documentation proving that the woman owner – or multiple women owners – are directly in control of the daily operations of the business and have invested capital in the business.

(4) What types of documents could interested women-owned businesses begin to compile if they were interested in obtaining either WBENC or SBA certifications?

Again, the specific document lists vary depending on the actual certification you are interested in, though the WBENC and SBA have quite a bit of overlap in their requests. Examples of the documents you may be requested to provide to complete a certification application through either WBENC or SBA include evidence of the history of your business; documentation or professional business licenses; evidence of ownership and management details related to the business; proof of U.S. citizenship for the women owners; financial statements and related data; personnel information; and business structure and governance data, such as a business’ state-specific organizing documents.

(5) How can Foster Swift help me and my business apply for these types of certifications?

Through either the WBENC or SBA, both organizations permit applicants of their certification programs to delegate attorneys to assist with compiling the necessary information for their certification applications and submitted that application on their behalf.

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Chris Holman welcomes back Elaine Hardy, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI

Elaine Hardy, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, joined Michigan Business Beat to discuss the Commission’s mission, longevity, and continued relevance more than four decades after its founding. One of the nation’s longest-running MLK commissions, the organization serves Greater Lansing and Mid-Michigan through volunteer-driven education, advocacy, and community action focused on justice, equality, and nonviolence.

Hardy explained that the Commission was created to ensure Dr. King’s legacy remained active and meaningful beyond his lifetime. With many of the challenges Dr. King addressed still present today, the Commission continues year-round work in education, hunger relief, youth development, violence prevention, and equity-focused advocacy. Its efforts include partnerships with schools, faith groups, civic leaders, and community organizations, as well as scholarship and student essay programs that invest directly in the next generation of leaders.

A centerpiece of the Commission’s work is the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration, recognized as the nation’s largest MLK Day luncheon. The 2026 event, taking place January 19 at the Lansing Center, marks the 41st year of the celebration and coincides with the 40th anniversary of the first federally observed MLK holiday. Drawing more than 1,600 attendees each year, the event blends inspiration, music, reflection, and a clear call to action.

Hardy emphasized that the goal is not only inspiration, but responsibility. Guided by the 2026 theme, “Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” the Commission invites individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations to engage, support, and help turn shared values into meaningful community impact.

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Originally uploaded October 2, reloaded Jan. 6th.

Thursday, October 2, Lansing Regional Chamber's monthly Economic Club Luncheon at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center focused on Education. This video is the pre-event media availability in the Red Cedar Room with 3 of the panelists highlighting their remarks.

The Lansing Economic Club for October hosted a dynamic panel discussion, Classrooms to Careers: Strengthening Workforce Pathways, highlighting innovative strategies to prepare students for meaningful careers and strengthen the local workforce.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

The program included:

• Peter Spadafore, Executive Director, Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity

• Ben Shuldiner, Superintendent, Lansing School District

• Dr. Steve Robinson, President, Lansing Community College

• Jason Mellema, Superintendent, Ingham Intermediate School District

• Bryan Benton, Assistant Manager, Michigan Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

WHY IT MATTERS:

This discussion highlights next steps Lansing leaders can take to strengthen workforce pathways, with outcomes that will directly impact both education and business in the region. Attendees and the public will learn what to watch for in the coming weeks as schools, colleges, and employers collaborate to prepare students for in-demand careers.

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Originally uploaded October 7, reloaded Jan. 5th.

Thursday, October 2, Lansing Regional Chamber's monthly Economic Club Luncheon at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center focused on Education. This video is a highlight reel from the hour-and-a-half event.

The Lansing Economic Club for October hosted a dynamic panel discussion, Classrooms to Careers: Strengthening Workforce Pathways, highlighting innovative strategies to prepare students for meaningful careers and strengthen the local workforce.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

The program included:

• Peter Spadafore, Executive Director, Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity

• Ben Shuldiner, Superintendent, Lansing School District

• Dr. Steve Robinson, President, Lansing Community College

• Jason Mellema, Superintendent, Ingham Intermediate School District

• Bryan Benton, Assistant Manager, Michigan Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

WHY IT MATTERS:

This discussion highlights next steps Lansing leaders can take to strengthen workforce pathways, with outcomes that will directly impact both education and business in the region. Attendees and the public will learn what to watch for in the coming weeks as schools, colleges, and employers collaborate to prepare students for in-demand careers.

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Chris Holman welcomes Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority, Lansing, MI, back to the MBN studios at the airport.

Chris had several questions for Nicole right ahead of the holiday season:

Do holiday travelers have anything different to consider this year when Flying Lansing?

Tell us about the new booking tool on flylansing.com

[notes] this is something LAN has available now on their website that makes it easy to search for flights and find information directly from the website.

International Flights begin at the end of next month what's special this year?

The airport remains a crucial economic driver with impact for cargo and mid Michigan business logistics?

Lorri Rishar Jandron, MBA, Owner & CEO, EDGE Partnerships, along with

Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement, Michigan Chamber, Lansing, MI.

Co-Hosts of the new MBN show "BOLD LeadHERS" now into Episode 8.

In this episode of Bold LeadHERS, they recently interviewed Paula Cunningham.

Background: Cunningham spent 25 years at Lansing Community College, where she served as President from 2000-2006. Under her leadership, the college implemented a strategic planning process that resulted in five new buildings. The main building on the LCC campus was officially named the Paula D. Cunningham Administration Building in 2006. From 2006-2015 she served as president and CEO of Capitol National Bank in Lansing, where she successfully led the bank through Michigan’s worst recession in 70 years. She was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013 for her business and community service. Cunningham is known as a pioneer. She was the first female president of LCC and the first female president and CEO of Capitol National Bank, in addition to being the only African American female in the country to be president and CEO of a majority owned bank.

Cunningham was also the first African American female to chair the board of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Throughout her career, Cunningham has been actively involved with numerous community and governmental organizations, some of which include: Chair of the board of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Board of Trustees of Davenport University; Executive Committee of the McLaren Health Systems; Chair of the Michigan Association of United Ways; Executive Committee of the Michigan Nonprofit Association; founding member of MiQuest Board, and Co-chair of the Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan. Now, State Director of AARP Michigan, a phenomenal organization that works tirelessly on behalf of people age 50 and older to help them to live their best lives.

Questions: ● What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self at the start of your leadership journey? ● You’ve had a remarkable career in education and business before becoming State Director of AARP Michigan. What inspired you to take on this role, and how has your background shaped your leadership at AARP? ● AARP Michigan serves 1.4 million members across the state. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing older adults in Michigan today, and how is AARP addressing them? ● AARP’s mission is to help people age with dignity and purpose. What does “aging with dignity” mean to you personally? ● You’ve spoken about the importance of community and collaboration. How do you see women leaders shaping the future of aging policy and advocacy in Michigan? ● What advice would you give to younger women who are thinking ahead about their health, finances, and aging journey? ● You’ve been involved in the groundbreaking menopause initiative alongside Halle Berry and Governor Whitmer. Why is it so important to bring menopause into the public conversation? ● Many women feel menopause is stigmatized or overlooked in healthcare. How does this initiative aim to change that narrative? With hosts Becky Burka & Lorri Rishar Jandron ● What role do you see AARP playing in advancing awareness, education, and policy around menopause and women’s health more broadly? ● How can communities, employers, and policymakers better support women during this stage of life? ● What impact do you hope this initiative will have on Michigan women in the next five years? ● If you could leave the audience with one key takeaway about aging, women’s health, and collaboration, what would it be?

Becky and Lorri sat down with Paula Cunningham, State Director of AARP Michigan, for a powerful conversation on women’s issues, the pay gap, and menopause. Drawing on her extensive career experience, Paula shared valuable insights for younger generations while reflecting on the challenges she has faced as a woman navigating the workplace.

Chris welcomes back Ryan Hundt, CEO, Michigan Works! Association, Lansing, MI.

When you look back at 2025, what are the top one or two accomplishments from the Michigan Works! Association and local Michigan Works! agencies that you are most proud of?

There has been a lot of conversation about potential state and federal budget delays and even shutdowns. How have those funding uncertainties affected your planning and your message to the public?

As you look ahead to 2026, what are the key priorities for the Michigan Works! Association, and what policy or funding decisions in Lansing and Washington would make the biggest difference for your network and the people you serve?

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Chris Holman welcomes back Mikhail Murshak, Senior Attorney, Foster Swift, Lansing, MI, 5 offices across Michigan

[welcome back for the wrap up of the IP discussion]

For businesses considering international expansion, what roles do patents, trademarks, and trade secrets play — and how can companies ensure their IP protections scale globally?

Given your dual role as a practicing attorney and adjunct professor of patent/trademark law, what advice would you give to business leaders about integrating IP education into corporate strategy and long-term growth planning?

Artificial Intelligence, "AI" where does that fit in to the IP discussion?

Heading into 2026 what should those with IP be sure to do? Does Foster Swift have reference resources to guide them?

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