The Michigan Opportunity

Uniting the Voices of Chambers and Economic Leaders Across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula

On this episode we chat with Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Norther Michigan Chamber Alliance, about how Traverse Connect is supporting area businesses through a combination of business attraction and retention strategies, talent development efforts, and strategic coordination among partner agencies. 

Bennett also serves as the Director of Government Relations for the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, a coalition of 18 chambers and economic development organizations from across northern Michigan. We learn how the coalition exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.

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 development. 

We welcome back Michigan’s URC Executive Director, Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine, as she discusses the future of R&D in their four main initiatives (Life and Health Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence). She also dives into how the researchers are not only working with universities, but businesses and industry leaders across the state and their growing interest in AI technology.

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, Trey Devey, describe Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. This world-renowned nonprofit institution was founded in 1928 and has nurtured some of the industry’s most talented artists, musicians, actors, and performers. Its prestigious art programs and education institutions include the Interlochen Arts Camp, Interlochen Arts Academy and more. This international gem has produced alumni who have gone on to achieve great success in creative fields and has put Michigan on the map as a hub for artistic excellence.

Michigan’s Economic story and what’s next for the state.

We begin our fifth season with a new series Around Michigan in Under 30 Minutes, by connecting with longtime podcast supporter and returning guest, Quentin Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer at MEDC. In this episode he discusses the Make it in Michigan strategy, gives us a preview of what is to come for the state, and he shares a Detroit Lions metaphor you won’t forget. 

Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Michigan, is behind iconic brands like Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana. Hear from one of their top designers!

Jessica McConnell, Director of CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) & Graphic Design at Whirlpool Corporation, navigates a fascinating path in designing and forecasting products that shape daily life.

Whirlpool Corporation, an American multinational Fortune 500 company headquartered in Benton Charter Township, Michigan and stands as a leader in the home appliance industry. In 2023, Whirlpool reported approximately $19 billion in annual revenue, employed around 59,000 people, and operated more than 55 manufacturing and technology research centers globally. Known for its flagship Whirlpool brand, the company also markets household names like Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, Gladiator GarageWorks, and Hotpoint in Europe, alongside others.

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, Tom Kelly of Automation Alley. Automation Alley is a nonprofit technology business association and digital transformation insight center that helps manufacturers in Michigan understand new technology including AI, 3D printing, robotics, Industry 4.0 and more. Tom also takes us through Integr8, a series of round table dialogs bringing Michigan’s forward-thinkers in manufacturing and technology, and the new playbook series helping companies and leaders narrow their industry focus. 

Listen as Kiana Wenzell shares the inspiring stories of College for Creative Studies, Design Core Detroit, and Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Journey.

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a private art school in Detroit, Michigan. It enrolls more than 1,400 students and focuses on arts education. Located in CCS’ A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, Design Core Detroit provides support for design driven businesses with matchmaking opportunities focused on growth, retention, and attraction. They offer flexible, technology rich, design-forward workspace for creative sector businesses seeking a soft launch in a professional, inspiring and innovative environment. 

She also discusses UNESCO's Design Cities project, as part of the wider Creative Cities Network. The Network launched in 2004 and has member cities in seven creative fields including: Crafts and Folk Art, Music, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Media Arts.

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 powerful radio stations in the United States, with a power of 50,000 watts. 

We chat with Ann Thomas Battersby, the first female Program Director in the station’s 101-year history.  During her tenure at WJR, Ann has received numerous awards and honors from several organizations including Michigan Association of Broadcasters, United Press International, the Associated Press, and the Detroit Press Club – all celebrating her work both on and off the air.  

She was recently inducted into the Michigan Business Women Hall of Fame, and is the 2014 recipient of the Michigan Business and Professional Association’s Women & Leadership in the Workplace Award.  She has also been given the prestigious “Diamond” award from the Association for Women in Communications and in 2023 was awarded the Doc Fenkell Excellence in Media award from the CATCH charity. 

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 shipwrecks in Lake Huron off the Michigan coast and an underwater robotics world championship!

Hear from Jeff Gray, Superintendent of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA, as he talks about underwater preservation, diving the great lakes, and educating the public on the state’s marine history. We also get a sneak preview of Innovation with the Underwater Robotics World Championship coming to Michigan’s marine sanctuary. 

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-based Qiong Sun talks about her 28 years of mobility experience. As the Vice President & GM of Global Automotive E-mobility at TE Connectivity, her specialties include product development, planning and strategy. Sun shares about her life growing up in Shanghai, her time at Michigan Tech University, and future trends she sees in mobility and technology industries.