
Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity at MEDC
About MEDC
Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity
Featured DEI News
and Successes
Learn more about the people, places and programs creating a more equitable and resilient economy for all Michiganders.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusivity
Our goal is to have a multigenerational, multiracial, and multibackground workforce with a broad range of values, beliefs, experiences, preferences, and behaviors. This includes a workforce that represents a full spectrum of similarities and differences – race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, age, socio-economic status, health status, national origin, political beliefs, family composition, marital or relationship status, viewpoints, values, and opinions. Diversity is essential to our ability to thrive and succeed.
Inclusion is the cultural and environmental feeling of belonging. It is the degree to which employees feel valued, respected, accepted, and encouraged to fully participate in the organization. It is the organization’s responsibility to collective support an environment to where employees feel appreciated for unique characteristics and feel comfortable in sharing their ideas and aspects of their true authentic selves. It is an environment where opportunities in the areas of recruitment and hiring, promotional practices, leadership and professional development are defined to encourage all employees to fully engage to their fullest potential with the MEDC.
Meet the Team
Aileen Bovan
Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Officer
Aileen leads strategic efforts to ensure MEDC supports a more welcoming, accepting and engaging environment for its employees and its customers.
Odessa Carson
DEI Liason
Odessa works closely with stakeholders, community groups, not for profit organizations, and business leaders to ensure wide access to MEDC programs and services.
Mykayla Giles
DEI Coordinator/Ombudsman
Mykayla plans to get the DEI Council back off the ground and help increase employee engagement as it relates to DEI here at the MEDC.
Additional Resources
Michigan Economic Opportunity Fund
Microloan program for women and entrepreneurs of color in Michigan
SmartZones
Strategically designated business accelerators throughout the state
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Counseling and training for small businesses to support start-ups and existing business expansions.
Small Business Support Hubs
Funding is available for organizations that identify as, or intend to create, entrepreneurial hubs in support of small businesses who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC)
Delivers a suite of services to help diversify your supply chain and connect your business to local, national, and global purchasers.
Capital Access Program
Works directly with lending institutions who in turn provide traditional financing and access to capital to small businesses.
Equity Funding Programs
(Michigan Innovate Capital Fund, Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund, State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0) Partnerships with capital providers, venture capitalists, banks and other lending institutions to help your business secure loans and grants.
Developer’s Toolkit
Provides resources to emerging real estate developers.
Entrepreneurial Resources
Commercialize university technology; help high-tech startups to accelerate research, licensing, forms, and more; and find financial assistance for your startup company.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The MEDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. Thus, MEDC employment opportunities, programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, political persuasion, marital status, disability, genetic information, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.
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