Mackinac Policy Conference 2021 Executive Summary by Detroit Regional Chamber

EXECU

U M M A RY S E iV

Co ng r atu lati ons to the Det roit Regional Chamber and i t s t e am for successfully continuing this meaningful Michigan tradition. The Mackinac Policy Conference remains a productive forum, and encouraged a vibrant exchange of ideas on accelerating COVID-19 economic recovery and sustainability, advancing racial and gender equity and inclusion, and investing in the health of people and communities. These are challenging themes, but gathered participants dug into the underlying issues to clarify what must be done to make progress for all people. This mission to serve and support people resonated through the content of conversations, in all places, and with all attendees. Whether in the main theatre, on the porch, or on media row, talent was being discussed by leaders across industries and organizations in business, government, and nonprofit. Some takeaways: • Attendees recognized the acute need to attract, develop, and retain talent given the present high demand and apparent shortages of the right-skilled workforce in industries ranging from services and manufacturing to high-tech. This aligned with a widely-accepted mandate to foster lifelong learning as the workforce adjusts to new skills and the opportunities of the emerging economy. • The employment, income, and career opportunities created by the new era of mobility are exciting, but the criticality of having the right talent for Michigan to be able to seize on this opportunity seems equally clear. • There is a universally supported drive in Michigan to continue to invest in talent – beginning with the education of our children from pre-K through the college years – that is central to the prosperity and wellbeing of the state. • Finally, there was a consistent theme around the connection between the role that talent development can play in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Done well, talent development should provide opportunities for a diverse workforce while creating equitable opportunities for the economic gains available within a new economy. This focus on talent and workforce development is closely aligned with purpose. At Deloitte, we are led by a purpose – to make an impact that matters. This purpose defines who we are, and we see this in our commitment to our own professionals and in our service to our clients and communities. As we move on from this important event, the unifying conclusion is, perhaps, to bring that sense of purpose beyond ourselves and our companies so that we may work together to create a prosperous, healthy, and equitable Michigan.

DAV I D A . PA R E N T 2

M i ch i g a n M a n a g i n g Pr i n c i p a l , D e l o i tt e L L P ; B o a r d M e m b e r, D e t r o i t R e g i o n a l C h a m b e r

C ONFEREN C E LEA D ERSH I P M I C H I GAN ’ S C ENTER STAGE The Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference brought together more than 1,000 statewide leaders to focus on the theme of Reimagining a Healthy Michigan – a collective vision of healthy communities – from physical and mental health to a healthy environment, economy, educational system, and more. National speakers and Michigan’s top political and business leaders embodied this theme through critical conversations on how to support our state’s economic recovery and community health and equity.

Reimagining a Healthy Michigan

W R I G H T

L .

ADVANCE

INVEST

Accelerate our COVID-19 economic recovery and sustainability.

Advance racial justice and equity for all.

Invest in the health of people and communities.

I I I

P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, Henr y Ford Health System; Chairman, 2 0 2 1 M a ck i n a c Po l i c y C o n fe r e n c e

S A N D Y ACCELERATE

L A S S I T E R

K .

B A R U A H

P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, Detroit Regional Chamber

A DISCUSSION WITH MARK REUSS PA N D E M I C F O R C E S WA R P S P E E D C H A N G E S AT G M

M i ch i g a n a n d D e t r o i t i s o u r h o m e . I t ’s t h e e p i c e n t e r o f eve r y t h i n g we d o . . . . We’r e r e a l l y l o o k i n g a t t h e t r a n s fo r m a t i o n o f t h e i n d u s t r y t h a t p r o b a b l y wo n’t h a p p e n a g a i n i n o u r l i fe t i m e s . M A R K

R E U S S

President, General Motors Co.

Key Takeaways GM’s heavy concentration of production in the American Midwest is a competitive advantage, as proven by investments being made to evolve plants in Orion Township as well as in Ohio and Spring Hill, Tennessee. The pandemic and vaccination rates have had a significant impact on the automotive chip shortage. A large percentage of chips come from factories in regions with low vaccination rates, such as Malaysia and Vietnam. The federal government and automotive industry are now working to get vaccination protocols into impacted plants to stabilize the supply chain. To ease dependence on China for some critical components, GM is looking at a range of sourcing options, including harvesting rare earth materials out of U.S. lakebeds.

Biography Mark Reuss is president of General Motors Co. In this role, he leads the company’s regional operations, including North America, South America, China, and General Motors International. GM’s Global Product Development, Global Design, Global Quality, and Operational Excellence teams also report to Reuss. From 2013 to 2018, Reuss was executive vice president of global product development, purchasing, and supply chain, and led program management of GM cars, trucks, and crossovers worldwide.

Interviewer: Joe White, Global Auto Industry Editor, Reuters 4

Moderator: WDIV-TV 4’s Devin Scillian

A DISCUSSION WITH ROSALIND BREWER ‘A N Y T H I N G T H AT H A P P E N S I N T H O S E S TO R E S I S M Y R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y ’

D i ve r s i t y o f t h o u g h t m a ke s a b i g i m p r ove m e n t i n t h e o u t c o m e s o f yo u r decisions…place race and gender d i ve r s i t y o n t o p o f t h a t a n d yo u h ave a n a b s o l u t e r e c i p e fo r s u c c e s s . R O S A L I N D

B R E W E R

C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, Wa l g r e e n s B o o t s A l l i a n c e

Key Takeaways Focus training of retail employees on personal empathy and customer interaction. A pharmacist, for example, is often the first person a customer meets after an unwelcome diagnosis. Speak up to your leaders – and leaders, listen up – as workplace pressures continue to mount, triggering troublesome declines in workforce retention.

Biography Rosalind (Roz) Brewer joined Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) as chief executive officer in March 2021. She is also a director on WBA’s Board. Brewer most recently served as chief operating officer and group president at Starbucks from October 2017 to January 2021. Prior to Starbucks, she served as president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, Inc., from February 2012 to February 2017. Brewer previously held several executive leadership positions with Walmart beginning in 2006. Brewer is a Detroit native and Cass Technical High School graduate.

Interviewer: Christy McDonald, Anchor, Detroit Public Television

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Richard Florida T he S h i ft from the ‘ L ast R el i c of the I nd u str i al Age ’ to R emote Wor k

Key Takeaways Businesses in the United States are embarking on a massive repositioning out of designated business districts to remote work ecosystems. Office occupancy is at one-third of pre-pandemic levels, and demand for central office space is forecast to see a 20% reduction.

When I think about the future of greater Detroit, I think about a place that’s a federation of complete communities. Not a place where work and life is separated and there’s giant commutes. But, where people live in complete communities, or 15-minute neighborhoods, where you can live, work, shop, play, [and] send your kids to school. R I C H A R D

F L O R I D A

A u t h o r ; P r o f e s s o r , U n i v e r s i t y o f To r o n t o

The pandemic has exposed the economic, social, and racial divides that have long haunted the region and country, especially in terms of who has been able to benefit from remote work options.

Biography Richard Florida is one of the world’s leading urbanists. He is a researcher and professor, serving as University Professor at University of Toronto’s School of Cities and Rotman School of Management, and a Faculty Chair at NYU’s Schack School of Real Estate. He is a writer and journalist, having penned several global bestsellers, including the award-winning “The Rise of the Creative Class” and his most recent book, “The New Urban Crisis.” He is co-founder of CityLab, the leading publication devoted to cities and urbanism.

Interviewer: Stephen Henderson, Contributor, One Detroit and DPTV; Host, WDET 101.9 FM; Founding Editor, BridgeDetroit

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: NICHOLAS A. CHRISTAKIS W H AT H I S T O RY H A S TAU G H T U S A B O U T T H E F U T U R E A N D C OV I D - 1 9

Key Takeaways The wisest course of action is to vaccinate as many people as possible to protect our society, people, and economy. Things like fear, lies, denial, and blame are close companions of plagues. These behavior patterns can be traced back for thousands of years through our ancestors’ experiences with plagues.

Plagues are a part of the human

The virus will eventually become endemic, meaning it still circulates among us, but not with the potency it had at the onset before better levels of immunity were developed.

ex p e r i e n c e . … P l a g u e s a r e n o t n ew t o o u r s p e c i e s . Th ey ’r e j u s t n ew t o u s . N I C H O L A S

A .

C H R I S T A K I S

Social Scientist and Physician; D i r e c t o r , H u m a n N a t u r e L a b , Ya l e U n i v e r s i t y ; C o - D i r e c t o r , Ya l e I n s t i t u t e for Network Science

Biography Nicholas A. Christakis is a social scientist and physician at Yale University who conducts research in the fields of network science, biosocial science, behavior genetics, public health, and epidemiology. His current work focuses on how human biology and health affect, and are affected by, social interactions and social networks. One body of work in his lab focuses on how health and health behavior in one person can influence analogous outcomes in a person’s social network. Christakis is the author of more than 200 articles and several books and was named by Time magazine to their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2009.

PANEL: HOW COVID-19 CHANGED THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE C OV I D - 1 9 B R I N G S B E S T A N D WO R S T O F T I M E S T O M I C H I GA N B U S I N E S S

Pr e - C OV I D n o n - c l i n i c a l

We’r e r e a l l y p ay i n g a tt e n t i o n

[ j o b s ] , we u s e d t o g e t a b o u t

t o t h e c u l tu r e w i t h i n o u r

10 , 0 0 0 a p p l i c a n t s a ye a r

I ’ m a f i r m b e l i eve r i n t h e

c o m p a ny a n d t h e n h ow o u r

p owe r o f h u m a n p o t e n t i a l

c u s t o m e r s a r e ch a n g i n g t h e i r

i s d ow n 5 0 % s i n c e

and the remarkable ability

b e h av i o r s b e c a u s e t h a t a ffe c t s

pre-pandemic.

t h a t we a s p e o p l e h ave t o b e

o u r c u l tu r e .

fo r h o u s e ke e p e r s , va l e t , t r a n s p o r t e r s . Th a t p i p e l i n e

W R I G H T

L .

L A S S I T E R

I I I

P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, Henr y Ford Health System; Chairman, 2 0 2 1 M a ck i n a c Po l i c y C o n fe r e n c e

a d a p t a b l e , a n d I t h i n k we’ve s e e n t h a t ove r t h e c o u r s e o f t h e l a s t 18 m o n t h s .

S A N D Y

P I E R C E

Senior Executive Vice President, Private Bank and Regional B a n k i n g D i r e c t o r a n d C h a i r, H u n t i n g t o n M i ch i g a n

R Y A N

M A I B A C H

President and Chief Executive O ff i c e r, B a r t o n M a l o w H o l d i n g s

Moderator: Rick Albin, Political Reporter, WOOD-TV 8 12

Key Takeaways In the future, governmental units need to be more coordinated in adopting protocols while dealing with outbreaks such as COVID-19. The health care industry will have serious staffing shortage issues, and potential solutions include importing nurses from abroad to address the shortage. Technology seemed to help ease transitions during COVID-19 both in terms of services and workforce.

PANEL: RACIAL EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE C hamber board members E N C O U R AG E U N C O M F O R TA B L E

Th e b a ck l a s h yo u ’r e g o i n g t o g e t f r o m t h e c o m m u n i t y h a s t o b e we i g h e d w i t h eve r y d e c i s i o n , w i t h eve r y eva l u a t i o n o n a b i p a r t i s a n b a s i s … i t ’s a c r i t i c a l r o l e t h a t we’r e a l l g o i n g t o p l ay.

C O N V E R S AT I O N S T O A DVA N C E WO R K P L AC E E Q U I T Y

Quite simply we cannot and will not throw a stone at a glass house. We h a v e t o l e a d b y e x a m p l e . S o i n t e r n a l l y, [ t h e C h a m b e r ] i s looking at board composition c o n t i n u o u s l y, w e a r e l o o k i n g a t o u r s u p p l i e r d i v e r s i t y e ff o r t s , a n d w e are looking at hiring and retaining

W .

A R C H E R

J R .

B E R R Y

V i c e P r e s i d e n t , A i r p o r t O p e r a t i o n s D T W, D e l t a A i r L i n e s

One of the obligations of leadership is v u l n e r a b i l i t y, a n d i f yo u ’r e g o i n g t o d o t h i s wo r k c o rr e c t l y i t requires us all to be personally vulnerable. M A T T H E W

p e o p l e o f c o l o r. D E N N I S

H U S S E I N

B .

E L L I O T T

President, Ba n k o f A m e r i c a M i ch i g a n

W h a t we n e e d m o r e t h a n a ny t h i n g e l s e i s t h a t we n e e d p owe r f u l m e n t o l e n d their social capital and social e q u i t y, a n d t o b e c o u r a g e o u s enough to talk to other p owe r f u l m e n . Th i s i s h ow ch a n g e i s r e a l l y m a d e . C A R L A

W A L K E R - M I L L E R

C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, I g n i t i o n M e d i a G r o u p ;

Fo u n d e r a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r,

Fo u n d i n g P a r t n e r, A r ch e r C o r p o r a t e S e r v i c e s

W a l k e r- M i l l e r E n e r g y S e r v i c e s L L C

Keynote and Moderator: Dennis W. Archer Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Ignition Media Group; Founding Partner, Archer Corporate Services

Key Takeaways Research indicates that by 2050 there is a $92 billion economic gain to be had if business embraces diversity and closes the racial gap. There must be a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of an organization. Discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion need to expand beyond talking about only women and people of color; the LGBTQ and disabled communities also need to have a seat at the table.

PANEL: ECONOMY, GROWTH, AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE T O C O N T R I B U T E T O E C O N O M I C G R OW T H ‘ YO U ’ V E G O T T O I N V E S T D E E P LY I N YO U R C U LT U R E ’

Th e r e’s n o s h a m e i n

Th e b o tt o m l i n e i s i f

h av i n g a n o r g a n i z a t i o n

yo u d o n’t h ave d i ve r s i t y

that can generate a

Th e m o r e p e o p l e a r e

i n yo u r o r g a n i z a t i o n o r

p r o f i t , b u t i t ’s w h a t yo u

a l l owe d t o t a l k w i t h o u t

understand the importance

do with those profits.

fe a r o f b e i n g p u n i s h e d ,

o f d i ve r s i t y, yo u ’r e g o i n g

t h e m o r e l i ke l y yo u ’r e

out of business.

J AY

F A R N E R

Vice Chairman and Chief E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, Ro cke t C o m p a n i e s

g o i n g t o m a ke p r o g r e s s . J O H N H A R O L D

F O R D

J R .

Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, Corporate and

T U T T L E

Vice Chairman and Chief C o m m e r c i a l O f f i c e r , N e w Yo r k S t o ck E xch a n g e

Institutional Banking, PNC

Key Takeaways Since the pandemic, limiting employee attrition is key, and to do so, companies must recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to work. Diversity and sustainability are priorities in today’s economy. However, challenges still remain when it comes to diversity in companies; as of last year, an overwhelming 82.5% of directors among Fortune 500 companies are white. On inflation rates in the next year Tuttle thinks interest rates will normalize at some point, Ford predicted they will remain the same, and Farner expressed that he’s concerned.

Moderator: Suzanne Shank, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC 17

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER F I X T H E R OA D A H E A D, M I C H I GA N ’ S PAT H F O R WA R D

We a l l n e e d t o t a ck l e t h e s e b i g s t ru c tu r a l ch a l l e n g e s , by g r ow i n g M i ch i g a n’s e c o n o my, c r e a t i n g g o o d p ay i n g j o b s , a n d b u i l d i n g i n d u s t r i e s o f t h e f u tu r e . To g e t h e r, l e t ’s h a r n e s s o u r p o t e n t i a l t o u s h e r i n a n ew e r a o f p r o s p e r i t y fo r t h e s t a t e we a l l l ove . G R E T C H E N

W H I T M E R

G o v e r n o r, S t a t e o f M i ch i g a n

Key Takeaways Michigan’s economy is making a once-in-a-generation recovery: • The unemployment rate is below the national average, down for eight months straight. • Personal income was up 19.1%, the fourth highest in the nation. • Projected $3.5 billion surplus. • GDP grew 7.6%. A proposed $2.1 dollar investment in the MI New Economy Plan seeks to focus on growing the middle class, supporting small businesses, and investing in communities. Gov. Whitmer signed a bipartisan budget that will include $500 million for the state’s rainy-day fund, fund Michigan Reconnect, expand child care, and more.

Biography Gretchen Whitmer was elected the 49th Governor of Michigan in 2018. She is a lawyer, educator, former prosecutor, state representative, and senator. She represented Michigan’s 23rd legislative district until 2006, when she was elected to Michigan’s Senate where she was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. Following her time as a state senator, Gov. Whitmer served as the Ingham County Prosecutor. She is a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University.

Introduction and Interviewer: Daniel J. Loepp, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 18

A DISCUSSION WITH MIKE DUGGAN AND ANTOINE BRYANT C I T Y F O C U S P I VO T S F R O M R E M OV I N G B L I G H T T O B U I L D I N G B E AU T Y

We’r e i n a d i ffe r e n t p l a c e n ow. We d o n’t h ave t o t a l k a b o u t r e m ov i n g b l i g h t . We c a n t a l k a b o u t b u i l d i n g b e a u t y. M I K E

D U G G A N

M a y o r, C i t y o f D e t r o i t

Th e r e i s a n o p p o r tu n i t y n ow fo r D e t r o i t e r s t o ow n a n d d e c i d e h ow D e t r o i t s h a l l m ove . A N T O I N E

B R Y A N T

D i r e c t o r, P l a n n i n g a n d D e v e l o p m e n t D e p a r t m e n t , City of Detroit

Key Takeaways The Mayor and city leaders want the opportunity to pitch to new businesses or ventures considering Detroit. The new director of the city’s planning and development department will approach his job with a community engagement lens. Twenty-two new Black-owned businesses have opened along Livernois and it is now one of the most vibrant neighborhoods, which the city is working to replicate in other neighborhoods.

Biography Mike Duggan was elected Mayor of Detroit in 2013. Duggan, who was born in Detroit, has remained focused on the city throughout his career, working as a lawyer in Detroit, a prosecutor for Wayne County, and as deputy Wayne County executive under Ed McNamara. Before his time as Mayor, he also served as president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Medical Center. Antoine Bryant was appointed director of development for the City of Detroit in 2021. Prior to being selected by Mayor Mike Duggan, Bryant served as the business development and project manager for Moody Nolan, an architecture firm in Houston.

Introduction: Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman, Pistons Sports and Entertainment; Chairman, 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference Moderator: Lloyd Jackson, Senior News Analyst, WJR NewsTalk 760 AM 21

Robert C. O’Brien and Michael Steele on T oday ’ s R ep u bl i can Party

We’ve g o t t o f i g u r e o u t h ow we

Key Takeaways Per O’Brien, today’s Republican party resembles that of the Reagan era. President Donald Trump’s legacy looks much like that of Ronald Reagan: no new wars on his watch, he attracted working-class Democrats, and lowered taxes. On what it means to be a 21st century Republican, Steele shared it’s a matter of evaluating how they govern, lead, and embrace an increasingly diverse nation.

reassert American leadership around t h e wo r l d … we’ve g o t t o i m m e d i a t e l y

Moderator: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

l o o k a t h ow we r e e s t a b l i s h A m e r i c a n credibility so that in Ukraine, in Po l a n d , i n Ta i wa n , a n d i n o t h e r p l a c e s a r o u n d t h e wo r l d , o u r f r i e n d s

I t h i n k t h a t we h ave b e c o m e a p a r t y t h a t t a l k s l e s s a b o u t w h a t we b e l i eve i n a n d w hy yo u , a s c i t i ze n s , s h o u l d t ru s t o u r l e a d e r s h i p . … I t i s m u ch e a s i e r fo r

d o n’t l o s e t h e i r f r e e d o m s b e c a u s e

u s t o l ay b l a m e a n d t o t a ke o u t t h e D e m o c r a t s .

o u r a d ve r s a r i e s b e l i eve t h e r e’s a n

Th a t ’s n o t l e a d e r s h i p . Th a t ’s a b a r f i g h t .

o p e n i n g r i g h t n ow. R O B E R T

C .

O ’ B R I E N

M I C H A E L

S T E E L E

Fo r m e r Re p u b l i c a n N a t i o n a l C o m m i tt e e C h a i r m a n ; Fo r m e r L i e u t e n a n t G o v e r n o r, S t a t e o f M a r y l a n d ;

Fo r m e r U n i t e d S t a t e s N a t i o n a l S e c u r i t y A d v i s o r, Tr u m p A d m i n i s t r a t i o n

Po l i t i c a l A n a l ys t , M S N B C

A DISCUSSION WITH

Key Takeaways

DOUGLAS BRINKLEY

America’s political landscape can be partially attributed to the lack of military experience among our most recent leaders.

THE SHIFT IN AMERICAN POLITICS F R O M T H E 1 9 3 0 S T O N OW

From the 1980s until recently, Americans were taught that the government is not your friend. More people of color should get engaged in the political process to help Americans regain trust in democracy and the government.

Le t ’s p u t o u r c o m m o n A m e r i c a n decency first and put our ideological or identity politics second. D O U G L A S

B R I N K L E Y

Bestselling Author; CNN Presidential Historian; Katherine Tsanoff Brown Chair in Humanities a n d P r o fe s s o r o f H i s t o r y, R i c e U n i v e r s i t y

Misinformation has become a critical problem in American politics.

Biography Douglas Brinkley is the Katherine Tsanoff Brown chair in humanities and professor of history at Rice University, the CNN Presidential Historian, and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. He works in many capacities in the world of public history, including on boards, museums, colleges, and historical societies. The Chicago Tribune dubbed him “America’s New Past Master.” The New-York Historical Society has chosen Brinkley as its official U.S. Presidential Historian. His most recent book, “American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race,” was a New York Times bestseller. Interviewer: Zoe Clark, Program Director, Michigan Radio 25

HARVARD ECONOMIST RAJ CHETTY: I M P R OV E E C O N O M I C O P P O R T U N I T Y T H R O U G H I N V E S T M E N T S I N E D U C AT I O N

Key Takeaways Looking at improving economic outcomes should start at a hyperlocal level, as there are drastic local differences in rates of upward mobility. Race matters when it comes to upward mobility – the rates are generally lower for Black Americans versus white Americans.

S i m i l a r t o h ow i n t h e G r e a t D e p r e s s i o n t h e r e we r e f u n d a m e n t a l ch a n g e s i n U. S. p o l i c y t h a t l e d t o d e c a d e s o f i n c l u s i ve g r ow t h a ft e r wa r d … I t h i n k we’r e we l l poised to do that at present. R A J

C H E T T Y

Local interventions, especially related to providing supportive housing and resources, make a difference in upward mobility outcomes.

Biography One of the top economists in the world, Raj Chetty tackles the inequality in American society – including in education, housing, and longevity – through the powerful lens of economics. When COVID-19 hit, Chetty and his team of Harvard researchers created the first and only real-time economic tracker documenting the pandemic’s lopsided effects on the population.

W i l l i a m A . Ack m a n Pr o fe s s o r o f Pu b l i c Economics and Director of Opportunity Insights, Har vard University

Introduction: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

PANEL: PREPARING K-12 FOR POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS AC T I O N A B L E AC C O U N TA B I L I T Y N E E D E D I N P O S T S E C O N DA RY E D U C AT I O N

Key Takeaways On the other side of education, the system needs to offer students meaningful career opportunities. The business community needs to connect with these institutions to make that happen. Support needs to start early and persist throughout a student’s education journey. This includes economic and societal resources to support the adults and communities surrounding students. The influx of funding coming from the American Rescue Plan must be allocated thoughtfully. The decision makers should connect with educational systems to find the core issues that need to be addressed to impart lasting results. 28

Fo r D e t r o i t c i t i ze n s , i t ’s 76 o u t o f 10 0 who start college but do not get through.

We fo u n d t h a t t h e s tu d e n t s t h a t c o m e t o

Th a t k i n d o f l e a k a g e i n t h e s ys t e m i s

u s w h o d o n’t u s e p e e r m e n t o r i n g   r e t a i n

what has to be repaired. And in order to

at 69%, but the ones who come to us

r e p a i r t h a t , we’r e g o i n g t o h ave t o

and do peer mentoring – first-generation

ch a n g e t h e way we d o h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n .

s tu d e n t s – r e t a i n a t 9 1 % .

R U S S E L L

A .

K A V A L H U N A

President, Henr y Ford College

R I C H A R D

P A P P A S

President, Davenport University

We h ave n’t p r ov i d e d a n o u r i s h i n g ,

We a r e k i d d i n g o u r s e l ve s i f we

a b u n d a n t e c o n o my t h a t a l l ow s eve r yo n e

b e l i eve we a r e g o i n g t o p r e p a r e K - 12

t o t h r i ve . A n d u n t i l we d o t h a t , we’r e n o t

s tu d e n t s fo r p o s t s e c o n d a r y s u c c e s s

g o i n g t o s e e t h e s h i ft i n e d u c a t i o n .

absent considering what is going on in the home.

A N G E L I Q U E

P O W E R

P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r, The Skillman Foundation

N I C O L E

S H E R A R D - F R E E M A N

G r o u p E x e c u t i v e , J o b s , E c o n o m y, and Detroit at Work, Cit y of Detroit

Moderator: Nolan Finley, Contributor, One Detroit and DPTV; Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News

Executives Discuss the EV Curve and the Future of Innovation in Michigan Forty-five automotive chief executive officers gathered to discuss with automotive and mobility experts the industry’s most critical issues. Topics included the semi-conductor chip shortage; supply chain risks; the importance of investment programs to grow the regional talent pipeline; and the future of data science and emerging techniques in machine learning.

Lisa Lunsford, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Global Strategic Supply Solutions (GS3); Chair, MICHauto Board of Directors

Key Takeaways The semi-conductor chip shortage remains a top-of-mind concern as it creates a global vehicle volume reduction of 7.3 million units. Automotive demand for rare earth magnets, chips, and similar parts may triple, while global demand doubles through 2027. The state will continue to invest in talent through programs like Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect to inspire talent retention in the state.

Mark Reuss, President, General Motors Co.

Automotive Leaders Discuss Forging Pathways to Develop Michigan’s Robust, Diverse Talent Pool The annual Automotive Roundtable brought together 70 leaders from not only the automotive industry, but also from industry organizations, research universities, Detroit businesses, and service providers. Young professionals just entering the industry as well as seasoned experts highlighted the urgent need for investment in the talent pipeline and efforts to improve outdated industry perceptions to attract the state’s up-and-coming talent pool.

Marjace Miles, Consumer Marketing Manager, Autonomous Vehicles, Ford Motor Company; Madison Weston, Marketing Specialist, HELLA

Key Takeaways Seventy-six percent of human resource executives are competing with technology companies for talent, creating an increased competition for talent in the automotive and mobility industry. By 2030, it is expected that there will be 85 million jobs that will go unfilled due to a lack of skilled talent. Steven Kiefer, Chairman, The Kiefer Foundation; President, General Motors International, General Motors Co.

Ronia Kruse, President and Chief Executive Officer, OptTech LLC and OpTech Solutions

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION: A DIPLOMAT’S VIEW OF AMERICA FROM ABROAD M A K I N G A N I M PAC T A S A U . S . D I P L O M AT I N T E N S E M I D D L E E A S T

Key Takeaways A diplomat should also use soft power to help open doors rather than resort to lecturing or threatening sanctions on other nations. Seek to improve and normalize relations with other nations; the Middle East is filled with failed states – Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya – that have failed to do so.

We [ t h e U. S. ] h ave h a r d p owe r – o u r e c o n o m i c a n d m i l i t a r y p owe r a n d o u r d i p l o m a c y. Th e U. S. eve r y w h e r e yo u g o i s t h e d o m i n a n t c o u n t r y. … O u r p owe r i s s e c o n d t o n o n e . O u r c u l tu r a l p owe r a r o u n d t h e wo r l d i s a b s o l u t e l y m a s s i ve . M ov i e s , a r t , m u s i c , fa s h i o n – s o we h ave a l l t h i s p owe r, b u t we d o n’t s e e m t o u s e i t t o o e ffe c t i ve l y. J O H N

R A K O L T A

J R .

Chairman, Walbridge; Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

Interviewer: Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: ALEC ROSS T H E R AG I N G 2 0 2 0 S – C O M PA N I E S , CO U N T R I E S , P E O P L E , A N D T H E F I G H T FO R OUR FUTURE

Th e r e s e e m s t o b e a l o s s o f equilibrium in the relationship b e t we e n g ove r n m e n t , c i t i ze n s , a n d businesses. A L E C

R O S S

N e w Yo r k T i m e s B e s t s e l l i n g A u t h o r ; Fo r m e r S e n i o r A d v i s o r, I n n o v a t i o n , The State Department

Key Takeaways Society is a web-work of collaboration and exchange between the private sector, government, and the public. The social contract that binds this interconnected system is flawed. Our country is in a moment of transition from an industrial economy to a technology-rich, knowledge-based economy. Innovation in public policy and data will be essential to this transition.

Biography Alec Ross is the author of the New York Times bestseller “The Industries of the Future.” He started his career as a sixth-grade teacher through Teach for America in inner-city Baltimore, and in 2000, he and three colleagues co-founded One Economy. Ross served as the Convener for the Technology and Media Policy Committee on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team. In 2009, Ross served for four years as Senior Advisor for Innovation to the Secretary of State.

Interviewer: Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director, MICHauto; Vice President, Automotive and Mobility Initiatives, Detroit Regional Chamber

EVENING VIEW: MACKINAC UNCENSORED Tac k l i ng M I C H I GA N ’ S H O T - B U T T O N I S S U E S For the fourth year, the Conference brought together some of Michigan’s most prominent thought leaders from a variety of backgrounds to engage in spirited banter on the state’s most critical issues. This year’s topics were: E mployer Vacc i ne M andates Dennis G. Cowan, Plunkett Cooney Jared Fleisher, Rock Central T he F u t u re of Talent and D E & I Pictured top Dan Garrison, Accenture Ronia Kruse, OpTech, LLC and OpTech Solutions F i nal F i ve Vot i ng Scott Claxton, Esys Automation and Final Five Michigan Chris Marcus, Esys Automation and Final Five Michigan Women on C orporate B oards Portia Roberson, Focus: HOPE David Parent, Deloitte 36

Vot i ng R i ghts Pictured center Jim Lilly, State Representative (R-Park Township) Nancy Kaffer, Detroit Free Press; Detroit Free Press Editorial Board R eb u i ld i ng Urban C i t i es Pictured bottom Rick Baker, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Kevin Johnson, Detroit Economic Growth Corp. 2 0 2 2 E lect i on R o u ndtable Mark Burton, Honigman LLP; Former Chief Strategist for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Matthew Schneider, Honigman LLP; Former United States Attorney, Trump Administration

2021 CONFERENCE

107,000

R E G I ST E R E D AT T E N D E E S

96%

N AT I O N A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L V I E W E RS

985

O F AT T E N D E E S I N D I C AT E D T H AT T H E Y R E C E I V E D VA L U E F O R T H E I R T I M E A N D F I N A N C I A L C O M M IT M E N T

O F AT T E N D E E S SA I D C OV I D - 19 P ROTO C O LS M A D E T H E M F E E L SA F E

D P T V V I E W E RS H I P GA R N E R E D

1,023

CEOs CONVENED F O R AUTO M OT I V E I N D U ST RY GAT H E R I N G

96%

At A Glance

M E M B E RS O F WO R K I N G M E D I A F RO M P R I N T, D I G ITA L , A N D B ROA D C AST OUT L ET S AT T E N D E D

I N STA N C E S O F EARNED MEDIA C OV E R AG E

75%

O F AT T E N D E E S R AT E D C L E A R H E A LT H E X P E R I E N C E AS E XC E L L E N T

N AT I O N A L S P E A K E RS

Visit detroitchamber.com/mpc for full session recaps and video highlights from the 2021 Conference. 37

2021 TO-DO LIST

TO-DO ITEMS

A tradition of the Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber unveiled its 2021 Conference To-Do List following three days of discussions featuring top state, regional, and national thought leaders. In its 41st year, the Conference convened leaders in a dialogue on “reimagining a healthy Michigan.” 2021 Conference Chairman Wright L. Lassiter III, president and chief executive officer of Henry Ford Health System, and Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber, announced the list at the conclusion of the Conference.

Bring together business, philanthropy, civic/nonprofit, and government to accelerate data-based collective action to close racial and social equity gaps throughout the Detroit Region. Support measures to help employers deploy strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on community health and the economy. Help businesses understand how COVID-19 has permanently changed work life and the workplace so employers can adapt and prepare for a changed environment. Ensure the 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference includes a robust representation of bipartisan elected leaders. Capitalize on the Chamber’s education data assets, such as the State of Education report, to encompass the type of research highlighted by professor Raj Chetty that showed the connection between upward mobility and job growth.

A LOOK AHEAD 38

T U E S D AY M AY 3 1 , 2 0 2 2 TO

F R I D AY JUNE 3, 2022

Registration opens December 2021. Island hotels will begin accepting reservations February 2022. Conference planning will be led by

Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman, Pistons Sports and Entertainment

2021 SPONSORS Diamond

Ruby

Platinum

Gold Accenture Ascension Bank of America Barton Malow Business Leaders for Michigan Comcast Business Comerica Bank Deloitte Enbridge Energy Ford Motor Company ITC KPMG The Kresge Foundation Kroger PwC

Silver Beaumont Health CVS Health Delta Dental Detroit Public Television Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Huron-Clinton Metroparks The Skillman Foundation

Bronze AAA – The Auto Club Group Clark Hill Crain’s Detroit Business DENSO Detroit Auto Dealers Association Detroit Medical Center EY Greektown Casino-Hotel GS3 HAP Kelly Lambert McDonald’s Michigan Michigan Realtors Nexteer Automotive Piston Group Plunkett Cooney Priority Health SME Southeastern Michigan Health Association Toyota Warner Norcross + Judd

A new playbook for talent Deloitte has long recognized that there is no one-size-fits-all talent solution and we have continuously evolved our approach to meet the diverse needs of our people. Leading teams in a new hybrid environment—by creating equitable outcome; strengthening our inclusive culture; reshaping learning, mentorship, and apprenticeship; and supporting sustainable outcomes—is the future of leadership.