The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

Alison Todak, VP of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, MEDC and Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management, MSU Research Foundation

Join our two startup experts — Alison Todak of MEDC and Pete Martin of the MSU Research Foundation — as they share how their organizations are helping to drive Michigan’s startup momentum. They give us insight into their collaboration on the PitchMI startup competition, highlight the four winning innovations for 2025 including: smarter hospital beds, powered campsites, satellite tech, and in-game ads. We also explore the state’s thriving entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

Dr. Arthur Lupia, Vice President of Research and Innovation, University of Michigan

Dr. Arthur Lupia is the Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan, where he is responsible for fostering the excellence and integrity of research across all three campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint). The Office of the Vice President for Research is driving the mission to catalyze, support and safeguard U-M research from private sector, to government, to non-profit and more. Lupia’s vast experience as a researcher, administrator and educator, also includes federal service which spans two U.S. presidential administrations.

Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, State of Michigan

How do you grow a state’s population when faced with challenges like talent migration, employer needs, and quality of life? Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer, Hilary Doe, is tackling the issue head-on with a statewide road show. The Michigan Growth Office initiative highlights entrepreneurship, place making, economic diversification, housing, talent attraction, and higher education—laying out a comprehensive strategy to build Michigan’s future.

Richard Koubeck, President, Michigan Technological University

We connect with Michigan Technological University President, Richard Koubek, as he explains the University’s tech and research resources. He also discusses the University’s efforts in preparing career opportunities for students and keeping top talent in the state. Founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, Michigan Tech comprises five colleges and schools and offers more than 140 degree programs to nearly 7,000 graduate and undergraduate students.

Marla Schneider, President & CEO, Cornerstone Alliance

As President and CEO, Marla Schneider oversees Cornerstone Alliance’s comprehensive efforts to attract and retain businesses, foster entrepreneurship, and create a thriving economic landscape in Southwest Michigan. She shares several transformative projects underway, how they work with community members and development authorities and more.

Lexi Hagan, Executive Director, Menominee Business Development Corporation and Marty Fittante, CEO, Invest UP

We talk with Lexi Hagan, Executive Director of Menominee Business Development Corporation and Marty Fittante, CEO of Invest UP, about the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program at Northern Michigan University. The Fellowship is a paid and scholarship-supported applied learning experience for students interested in rural economic development and public sector careers. As a public-private partnership with InvestUP, the program helps with driving talent in the Upper Peninsula.  

Tonya Schuitmaker, J.D. & Rudy Hobbs Co-Directors at the Michigan Political Leadership Program

Since 1992, over 800 Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) graduates have applied the skills and relationships they learned to work in their communities and serve in statewide offices. Tonya Schuitmaker and Rudy Hobbs are Co-Directors of MPLP at Michigan State University. They share with us how MPLP Fellows gain expertise to tackle public policy issues as candidates for office, as government officials or as citizen activists.

Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, Founder and Executive Director, CIV:LAB and Allison Lucas, Chief of staff CIV:LAB

CIV:LAB was born out of a need for more coordination and collaboration between the various stakeholders that work to make cities more sustainable. We sit down with Founder and Executive Director, Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, and Chief of Staff, Allison Lucas, to learn more about CIV:LAB’s mission and vision.

Marty Fittante, CEO, InvestUP

We welcome back InvestUP CEO, Marty Fittante, to discuss the current projects happening in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Fittante talks about the U.P.'s unique impact in the aerospace and defense industry, shares the various housing and seed fund projects to help tackle population challenges, as well as give insight into the Soo Locks project that is critical to international shipping.

Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance

We chat with Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Norther Michigan Chamber Alliance, about how Traverse Connect is supporting area businesses through a combination of business attraction and retention strategies and talent development efforts. As well as, how the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is advocating for rural northern Michigan and moving forward rural-centric business policy.