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
Heather Lanier, Chief Operating Officer & Shareholder - NBS Commercial Interiors
The future of work. Heather Lanier of NBS Commercial Interiors, a Steelcase premier partner, explains how the hybrid workplace is now more of a “destination than a directive” with the assist of technology!
Angela Flood, Director of Business Planning and Economic Development - American Center for Mobility
Accelerating mobility & transportation for the future on the 500-acre historic Willow Run site in Ypsilanti, all at American Center for Mobility.
Dale A. Robertson, President and CEO – Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is changing the way people experience education. As the only XQ Super School in the Midwest, the museum is setting the pace to move and blend the future of knowledge jobs and sense of place.
Christopher Girdwood, Executive Director - Detroit Region Aerotropolis
A recent episode of The Michigan Opportunity podcast features Christopher Girdwood, Executive Director of Detroit Region Aerotropolis.® Girdwood joins host Ed Clemente as they discuss the future of the Aerotropolis, the four-community, two-county public-private economic development partnership driving corporate expansion and new investment around Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports. Girdwood shares his vision for the Aerotropolis and the new growth opportunities available to future tenants.
Dawn Batts, Capital Strategist - TechTown Detroit
The quest for 200 new diverse angels are being recruited in the great lakes area, out of Detroit’s TechTown, and a little anthropology to boot!
Join our guest Dawn Batts, Capital Strategist at TechTown Detroit and host Ed Clemente as they discuss angel investors, and the diverse community of investors who seed scalable consumer, enterprise and life science companies. Dawn has an experienced background in finance and anthropology and is a co-founder of Commune Angels. Learn how she is using her experience to find 200 new angels in the great lakes area.
Dave Lorenz, Vice President, Travel Michigan
Hear about Michigan’s roughly $22 billion tourism economy and the how the future is happening now, and maybe how Michigan is the “Alaska” of the Midwest!
Join our guest Dave Lorenz who serves as Vice President of Travel Michigan alongside our host Ed Clemente as they discuss the business of tourism and its economic impact in jobs, ROI and attraction for knowledge jobs. Dave also oversees the award-winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign, and his potential disruptions and trends for the future of his profession.
Brittany Hunter, Managing Partner - Atomic Object
Atomic Object, this multistate company makes custom software for all types of clients, based right here in Michigan, with clients ranging from health to furniture and much more!
Join Brittany Hunter, Managing Partner, Atomic Object as she joins host Ed Clemente to delve into the cutting-edge field of software and the talent needed to make it happen. Atomic Object has spent 20 years designing and developing custom software for 200+ organizations, large and small. They have a proven approach to leveling up their team with professional development and keeping that talent right in here in Michigan. You may also learn a little about dressage & horses!
Jennifer Brace, Global Trends and Futuring Manager - Ford Motor Company
Hear how Jennifer is helping Ford be better prepared for what lies ahead, and with the best job title ever.
Join our guest Jennifer Brace, Global Trends and Futuring Manager at Ford Motor Company and host Ed Clemente as we talk not just about the future but the trends that will give options to maximize picking the right path to get there. Jennifer’s career path has given her the opportunity to see a number of different aspects of the company, from Michigan to Palo Alto and back. Her winding career path makes her a generalist, which seems like the right job description to become a futurist.
Special Episode from Mackinac Policy Conference - Day 2
Join our host Ed Clemente for another special Michigan Opportunity Podcast from the Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Hear from our thought leader guests including Michelle Grinnell, SVP Marketing and Communications, MEDC; Glenn Stevens, Exec. Dir. MICHAuto and VP Automotive & Mobility Initiatives, Detroit Regional Chamber; Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., President, Michigan State University; G. Jerry Attia, Managing Principle AECOM, Michigan.
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.
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.