THIS JUST IN: The Michigan Opportunity Podcast Celebrates One Year of Insightful, Dynamic Conversations

The Michigan Opportunity podcast, hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is launching its 52nd podcast episode today, marking its one-year anniversary.

Over the last year, listeners have heard from a broad cross section of Michigan business leaders and innovators about how the state is driving job growth and business investment, supporting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, building vibrant communities, and helping to attract and retain one of the most diverse and talented workforces in the nation.

In today’s anniversary episode, we turned the tables and put host Ed Clemente on the other side of the microphone to share his insights and learnings from the past year of podcasts. Hosted by Michelle Grinnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at MEDC, the 52nd episode features Ed sharing his thoughts and learnings from the podcast thus far, and about what people can expect to hear heading into year two.

The podcast has really shown the “bench depth” of this state. Over the past year, we have highlighted a variety of businesses, entrepreneurs, public sector, higher education, non-profits, international players, leaders and Economic Development Organizations across the state, and how everyone is really part of an ecosystem that is called Michigan – which plays well for our future economy!

Ed Clemente

Senior Advisor, Trends & Development & Podcast Host

In its inaugural year, The Michigan Opportunity podcast has had an eclectic, yet insightful cast of guests joining for each episode. From academics, small business owners, entrepreneurs, futurists, and state leaders, The Michigan Opportunity features episodes discussing a wide range of topics, including:

Technology and Innovation

• Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
• Dr. Parag Khanna, Founder & Managing Partner, Future Map
• Eric Roberts, Executive Director, 20Fathoms
• Dr. Weisong Shi, Associate Dean and Professor of Computer Science, Wayne State University
• Deidre Mitchell, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
• Dr. Tarek Sobh, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Provost, Incoming LTU President
• Bobby Hopewell, President and CEO, Mobile Health Resources

World-Class Talent

• Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO, MEDC
• Ryan Hundt, CEO, MichiganWorks! Association
• Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine, Executive Director, University Research Corridor
• JoAnn Crary, President, Saginaw Future
• Marty Fittante, CEO of Invest UP
• Dr. Bill Pink President, Grand Rapids Community College
• Fay Beydoun, Executive Director, American Arab Chamber of Commerce
• Ray Lozano, Mexicantown Community Development Corporation

Tourism and Hospitality 

• Chris MacInnes, President, Crystal Enterprises, Inc.
• Jenelle Jagmin, Director, Michigan Craft Beverage Council and Michigan Department of Agriculture
• Robin Terry, Chairwoman and CEO, Motown Museum

Mobility and Electrification

• Trevor Pawl, Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer
• Glenn Stevens, Executive Director, MICHauto
• Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, Vice President for Research, University of Michigan
• Heather Grondin, VP Corporate Affairs & External Relations, Windsor – Detroit Bridge Authority
• Gerry Anderson, Chairman and CEO, DTE Energy

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

• Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO, Automation Alley
• Natalie Chmiko, Vice President of Pure Michigan Business Connect and International Trade, MEDC

The Michigan Opportunity serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications to the new global economy. The podcast is one more way MEDC is continuing to build on its ongoing efforts to highlight the state’s economic recovery efforts, market the state and promote Michigan as a world-class business location.

To listen to the one-year anniversary and find the full list of episodes, go to michiganbusiness.org/podcast.

To see why companies are choosing Michigan, visit michiganbusiness.org/why-michigan.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.