Mi Business Matters

Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the state of Michigan’s talent and workforce. Is it still shrinking and tighter than ever? Getting better? Evolving in different ways? Joining her in the discussion are two leaders at the forefront of the latest trends and best practices on this important issue that affects virtually every employer across industries. They are:Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel and Sustainability Officer, @David Weeks, the Market Director for Southeast Michigan, Kelly Services

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something called carbon capture – or decarbonization – what it really is, how it works and why it’s a fast-growing part of our environmental and energy future. Joining her are are three folks at the forefront of this work:Rich Bowman, Director of policy for The Nature Conservancy in MichiganBen Grove, the Senior Manager of Carbon Storage for the Clean Air Task ForceMike Alaimo, the Michigan Chamber’s Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers:Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business - our state’s largest business publicationJenell Leonard, Owner of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) - a full-service strategic communications firm

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it - and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents. Joining him in this discussion are:Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy CenterLeah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month and National STEM Day!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution to soften the impact.Joining him in this discussion are:Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids ChamberKelli Saunders, Vice President of Policy & Engagement at the Small Business Association of MichiganWendy Block, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are:Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of MichiganMike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings InsuranceWendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on affordable housing - one of the key barriers Michigan employers, communities and families alike are facing right now. Joining him in the discussion are:Jon Blazic, Manager of United States Gypsum Alabaster, Mich, plant.Dawn Crandall, Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of MichiganMike Alaimo, Director of our Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of an intended and irresponsible lawsuit from Attorney General Dana Nessel that has the potential to harm Michigan and the infrastructure that keeps our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses running.Joining him in that discussion are:Mark Griffin, President of the Michigan Petroleum Association and Michigan Association of Convenience StoresMike Alaimo, Director Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of Michigan’s first statewide competition of the National Civics Bee and take a look at what’s next for the 2025 bee – and why it matters so much! Joining him in the discussion are:Stacy Bailey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Okemos Public SchoolsGeoff Bontrager, Superintendent for Northwest Community Schools in JacksonSimon Reed from West Middle School in Plymouth, state finalist and ended up taking 2nd place in this year’s statewide competition

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of water usage and management practices in the Great Lakes State. Joining him are:Emily Finnell, Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Michigan Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and EnergyRon Burke, President & CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into Michigan elections – an issue that’s front and center in a presidential election year like 2024, especially in a battleground state like ours – and a unique, in-demand way to get involved in our communities by being an election poll worker. We’re going to learn more about how to be part of helping run smooth, secure and accessible electionsJoining him in this discussion are a team member and two leading authorities in the state of Michigan:Melanie Ryska, City Clerk for the City of Sterling Heights, plus the current president of the Michigan Assn of Municipal ClerksAdam Wit, Township Clerk for Harrison Township and past president of the Michigan Association of Municipal ClerksBecky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Greg McNeilly, CEO and President of the The Windquest Group and Author of "Red, White & Verse", to discuss the American spirit and outlook!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Heather Grondin, the chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, to discuss one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country right now – the new Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing at our Ontario/Michigan border in Detroit!

Becky Burtka of the Michigan Chamber/Michigan Chamber Foundation is joined by a couple of inspiring female entrepreneurs – Carrie Rathbun Hawks, president and owner of Rathbun Public Relations, and Michelle Gilbert, chief engine officer at Purple Engine Coaching & Consulting – to take a closer look at women’s leadership and the upcoming Michigan ATHENA 2024 Leadership Summit.

Jim Holcomb - President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Neil Bradley - Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer and Lead for Strategic Advocacy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to discuss free enterprise, the threats it faces, and what the business community can and must do about it!

Our Capital City landed on the "Judicial Hellholes" list this year for the first time ever. Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Lauren Sheets Jarrell, VP and General Counsel for The American Tort Reform Association to discuss why Lansing was put on the list and what we need to do to make sure it never happens again. She’s the lead analysist and author of the group’s annual Judicial Hellholes report and where our state’s ranking came from.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Hilary Crow, the VP for Civics at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to discuss civic engagement and the business case for supporting it - a very important issue as our country struggles with fundamental civics knowledge and we enter a fast and furious election year.

Bob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of a special time of year and segment of industry that may be small in how they’re described, but one that truly makes a BIG impact every day: our state’s 900,000+ small businesses and National Small Business Month that kicked off May 1.  We’re going to celebrate these diverse entrepreneurs and dive into the changing landscape and core growth strategies and activities that can help.Joining him in the discussion are Kristi Tabor, Advertising Account Executive for Scripps Local Media/Broadcasting Co. and Fox 47, and Krista Moon, the President and owner of Ascend Business Growth!

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, leads the discussion of an issue that may not be on your radar right now but one that can have far reaching impacts - and that's Ozone Attainment and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)!Joining him in this discussion are:Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan ChamberKelly Karll, Manager of Environment & Infrastructure for SEMCOG, Southeast Michigan Council of GovernmentsCaroline Liethen, Director of Environmental & Regulatory Policy for Michigan Manufacturers Association