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Senior Vice President, Small Business Solutions
Email:
chmikon@michigan.org
As the Senior Vice President of Small Business Solutions, Natalie is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of organizational strategy and is accountable for implementing a long-term vision and short-term strategy to support small business, grow Michigan exports, foster rural development, connect businesses with key services and support to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and other small business services available through MEDC and its partners.
Natalie brings with her a deep knowledge and familiarity of the MEDC, having led the International Trade and Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) teams along with the newly created Small Business Services team for two years as Vice President of Small Business Solutions. During those two years, she also championed the development and implementation of critical organizational initiatives including the International Trade & Development internship program, the PMBC Access & Certification Grant program, and MEDC’s signature Industry 4.0 initiative, helping small and medium-sized manufacturers prepare to adopt advanced technologies and compete in an increasingly digitized marketplace.
In her previous role as International Trade Director, she led a nationally recognized state export assistance program, connecting Michigan companies to resources and opportunities that foster international sales growth. Under her leadership, the Trade team facilitated $1.5 billion in export sales, equating to 6,962 Michigan jobs created. The program was also the recipient of the 2017 President’s “E” Award which is the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity.
Prior to joining MEDC in 2014, Natalie was the Assistant Economic Developer at Saginaw Future Inc., supporting local business and community economic development projects.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Saginaw Valley State University and is accredited as a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional. She was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve as a board member for both the East & West Michigan District Export Councils and is the current Vice President of the State International Development Organizations.
