The Michigan Opportunity
Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.
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PreviousEpisodes
Season - 4 Episode 51
Jessica McConnell, Director of CMF & Graphic Design, Whirlpool
Jessica McConnell, Director of CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) & Graphic Design at Whirlpool Corporation, navigates a fascinating path in designing and forecasting products that shape daily life. Whirlpool Corporation, an American multinational Fortune 500 company headquartered in Benton Charter Township, Michigan and stands as a leader in the home appliance industry.
Season - 4 Episode 49
Kiana Wenzell, Co-Executive Director, Design Core Detroit
Listen as Kiana Wenzell, Co-Executive Director of Design Core Detroit, shares the inspiring stories of the College for Creative Studies. Design Core Detroit provides support for design driven businesses with matchmaking opportunities focused on growth, retention, and attraction. They offer flexible, technology rich, design-forward workspace for creative sector businesses seeking a soft launch in a professional, inspiring and innovative environment. She also takes us through Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Journey.
Season - 4 Episode 48
Ann Thomas Battersby, Executive Producer at WJR Radio
WJR is a Detroit-based AM radio station that broadcasts throughout southeast Michigan, northern Ohio, and eastern Canada. We chat with Ann Thomas Battersby, the first female Program Director in the station’s 101-year history. During her tenure, Ann has received numerous awards and honors from several organizations including Michigan Association of Broadcasters, United Press International, the Associated Press, and the Detroit Press Club – all celebrating her work both on and off the air.
Season - 4 Episode 47
Jeff Gray, Superintendent of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA
Hear from Jeff Gray, Superintendent of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA, as he talks about underwater preservation, diving the great lakes, and educating the public on the state’s marine history. We also get a sneak preview of Innovation with the Underwater Robotics World Championship coming to Michigan’s marine sanctuary.
Season - 4 Episode 43
Dean Angott, President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy
Dean Angott serves as Chairman and President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy, a family-owned and operated business that has been a cornerstone of Detroit since 1926. With a deep commitment to quality and local partnerships with dairy farmers, Angott continues to steer this multi-generational business toward its centennial milestone, proudly contributing to Detroit’s rich food heritage and agribusiness.
Season - 4 Episode 37
Christina Marbury, Marketing Director, Taste the Local Difference
Listen to Christina Marbury of Taste the Local Difference and discover its unique services. Taste the Local Difference is a women-owned, women-led local food marketing agency specializing in tailored strategies for agriculture, food, and beverage producers. Their mission is to support local businesses by ensuring that money stays within the local economy, fostering job creation and strengthening communities.
Season - 4 Episode 32
Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services
Carla Walker-Miller's 24-year-old Michigan-based business, Walker-Miller Energy Services, is one of the largest African American and woman-owned energy waste reduction companies in the country. As a B Corp certified company dedicated to changing lives through clean energy, the firm focuses on reducing energy burdens for local families and businesses, creating sustainable jobs, diversifying the local energy workforce, and empowering small business owners to become sustainable suppliers in the clean energy economy.
Season - 4 Episode 30
Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer
Discover the latest initiatives at the MEDC as Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, discusses how Michigan is positioning itself in the arenas of talent, mobility, economic growth, defense, aerospace, innovation, and more. Then Quentin turns the tables on host Ed Clemente, diving into the podcast's 4-year journey, exploring the value of long-form listening, public value, emerging trends, unique guests, and much more.
Season - 4 Episode 28
Dr. Suzy Siegle, President & CEO Walsh College
Dr. Suzy Siegle, President & CEO Walsh College, is a high-octane president, author, coach and much more. She discusses her books on high performance leadership and how a journey in business, law and higher education got her to lead an entrepreneurial college. Since 1922, Walsh College has becoming more than a business school, it’s now an accelerator, a think tank, and incubator for ideas.
Season - 4 Episode 26
Jennifer Gonzalez, Chief Talent Officer, Windquest Group
Hear from Jennifer Gonzalez, Chief Talent Officer at Windquest Group, as she discusses the evolution of the workforce and how companies and their leaders can adapt to the changing times. She also dives into how Windquest Group is shifting into a more innovative workspace including piloting unlimited holiday time/time off concept, opening a restaurant and encouraging a more positive impact on the world.
Podcast transcripts are available upon request here.
About the Host: Ed Clemente
Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.
From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.
Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.
Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.
The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.