The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

Special Episode from Mackinac Policy Conference - Day 1

Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and hear from five very interesting guests. Our special edition podcast guests range from higher education, economic development organizations, health care, talent & workforce development and an International Ambassador. Guests include Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, President of Oakland University; Lucius Vassar, Corporate Counsel and Executive Vice President of Cinnaire, Michelle Johnson Tidjani, Esq., Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Henry Ford Health; Cindy Pasky, Founder, President and CEO, Strategic Staffing Solutions; and a special guest, former U.S. Lithuanian Ambassador, Zygimantas Pavilionis.

Anthony Garofali, Country Managing Director - Altair

Altair! Who knew a multinational information technology company was in our backyard? Apparently, companies around the world!

Come hear their story. Join Anthony Garofali, Country Managing Director for Altair, and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the diverse international technology company with its world headquarters here in Troy, Michigan. Altair provides software and cloud services for simulation, IoT, high performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), for a large variety of fields such as automotive, rail, aerospace, health, energy, architecture, marine, and much more. Listen in to Anthony walks us through the complex but exciting industry he’s in.

Conrad Haremza from PROXIMO and Jamie Wright from Detroit City Distillery

Hear our two spirits experts as they break down the business of spirits, the economic impact on the state as well as the talent and workforce and the business’s unique industry.

Join our guests Conrad Haremza and Jamie Wright alongside host Ed Clemente as they discuss the exciting and evolving world of spirits. Conrad’s day job is working across three states for PROXIMO, a global innovator of quality spirits that builds brands and invents new products to meet the world’s changing tastes and trends. Conrad is also the President of the Michigan Spirits Association (MSA), representing every spirit that you see on the shelf. Jamie is the Regional Sales Manager for the Award-winning Detroit City Distillery. she is also a MSA board member and works with all the local Michigan distilleries. Learn about Certified Specialists of Spirits (CSS) and how it’s recognized internationally.

Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office

Learn the 3 key points about the future of our Michigan history and preservation from our resident expert at The State Historic Preservation Office, and how it could help in the hunt for knowledge jobs!

Join our guest Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as she discusses with our host Ed Clemente the complicated but rewarding value of preservation and how it could be a valuable tool to attract and retain talent to the state. She currently oversees SHPO’s community and economic development programs, including archaeology, local historic districts, planning, survey, historic preservation tax credits, and Certified Local Governments. Also learn about Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation; Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Annual Statewide Preservation Conference and National Preservation Month. Having lived in Silicon Valley, New England and Chicago, Martha is happy to have made Michigan her home.

Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director - New Economy Initiative

13 foundations help fund the New Economy Initiative, find out how Wafa Dinaro’s international path has positioned her to be its new leader! Join our guest Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director for the New Economy Initiative, and host Ed Clemente as she explains this unique foundation and how its mission assists small businesses and much more.

The New Economy Initiative (NEI) is a philanthropic collaboration and special project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan working to build a regional network of support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Their mission is to grow an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship in southeast Michigan that benefits all residents and strengthens the regional economy. Wafa has had an exciting career path from Dearborn, to the state legislature, to federal government, as well as international work and economic development with Wayne County Executive, Warren C. Evans.

Mike Piskur, Program Manager - Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers

How the world’s largest system of freshwater is an integral part of the Canadian and U.S. responsibilities for a sustainable economy, and how Michigan is at the heart of this balance to live, work & play!

Join Mike Piskur, Program Manager, of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, and host Ed Clemente as they discuss how this international alliance grows the regional economy and protects the world’s largest system of surface fresh water. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers unites the chief executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec and Wisconsin. The Governors and Premiers work as equal partners to grow the region’s $6 trillion economy and protect this ecosystem. See how local Michigan partners Pure Michigan, MSU, UM, MI-Tech, Northern MU, Green banks, DTE and many others fit in as integral parts of this enormous and vital initiative.

Brandee Cooke-Brown, Executive Director - 100K Ideas

Learn about this unique organization helping Flintstones and other to reach their full potential in innovation and entrepreneurship through a series of sector partnerships. 

Join our guest Brandee Cooke-Brown who is the Executive Director of 100K Ideas, and host Ed Clemente as they discuss how to really assist innovation and entrepreneurship in Flint. 100K Ideas a non-profit with the mission to assist innovators and entrepreneurs move their ideas forward. They are a community of hobbyists, thinkers, and inventors with the mission of helping passionate innovators create products, services and startups of their own through mentorship. Learn about how they assist in: benchmarks, trademark, patent and domain searches, market trends/analytics, purchaser and end user information. Also learn a little about AmeriCorps and how its changing people’s lives, including Brandee's. You can also read the transcript from our conversation.

Michelle Bekkering, National Engagement Director, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

Hear how this national organization uses leadership and diplomacy to help keep the U.S. and Michigan economies humming in an ever-changing global market!

Join Michelle Bekkering, National Engagement Director, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the global marketplace and Michigan’s unique international position in that space. The USGLC brings together more than 500 businesses and non-profits from across the country with the core mission of investing in America’s tools of development and diplomacy. Hear how America’s diplomats and development workers are helping U.S. companies expand their exports, reach new markets, and create more jobs here in an effort to stay competitive in the global marketplace, ensure a level playing field for American businesses, and ultimately, reach more customers. Michelle has great credentials including the White House led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Security Council.

President Dr. David Eisler, President of Ferris State University

From leading Ferris State university, to national championships, to playing in the pep band, his legacy of two decades of leadership has made Ferris a real player in the new economy.

Join President Dr. David Eisler, President of Ferris State University and host Ed Clemente as they discuss where he thinks the future of careers will be. Dr. Eisler talks to Ferris' mission about preparing students for successful careers, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. Through its many partnerships and its career-oriented and educational base, Ferris serves our rapidly changing global economy and society. Dr. Eisler has a rather non-traditional path to becoming one of the longest serving University Presidents in the state. Learn about the wide variety of unique degree programs at FSU, as well as the Kendall College of Art and Design in downtown Grand Rapids. Also, learn how Dr. Eisler playing the clarinet helped him pave the way to his presidency.

Lizabeth Ardisana, Chief Executive Officer - ASG Renaissance

Lizabeth Ardisana is a well-rounded business pioneer in the talent world and very passionate about giving back to community service organizations and boards.

Join Lizabeth Ardisana, Chief Executive Officer of ASG Renaissance and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the ever evolving competitive world of today's workforce and the shifting needs of employers and employees. ASG Renaissance is a leading certified woman- and minority-owned, public relations and marketing communications firm providing, event management, graphic design, social media, digital marketing and web design and development to clients across a wide range of industries. Liz also gives back the community by serving on multiple boards including Skillman Foundation, CS Mott Foundation, Kettering University, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, Focus: Hope, and others. Learn about her eclectic path in her journey to Michigan.