Next week, roughly 1,700 leaders in philanthropy, business, politics, media and education will gather to discuss the future of our state at the Mackinac Island Policy Conference.

This year’s conference takes place May 29 – June 1 and focuses on three pillars: 

• Is Michigan Prepared? Ensure Michigan’s competitiveness for major business investment by protecting the existing business climate and addressing issues preventing sustained prosperity for all.

• The Mobility Disruption: Strengthen Michigan’s readiness for the disruption that next generation mobility will create for industry and society.

• Trust: Restore confidence in the critical institutions of government, media and business to build trust in society.

Michigan philanthropy will be well represented throughout the conference, with several CMF members serving as thought leaders and sharing their insights on economic opportunities and challenges, education, equity and the role of our communities in Michigan's future success. 

• Tonya Allen, president and CEO, The Skillman Foundation will moderate a panel on preparing Michigan students for the future of work (May 30) and she is sitting on a panel to join in discussion on challenges and opportunities for Michigan’s future growth (May 31).

• Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO, Michigan Women Forward and La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation are both panelists for “The Women’s Wave: Breaking the Silence” a session on gender parity at the C-suite level and practices that support inclusion and equality in the workplace (May 31).

• Dave Egner, president and CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will serve as moderator for a panel on aligning Michigan’s industry and workforce needs (May 30).

• Rip Rapson, president and CEO, The Kresge Foundation is moderating the session “Making the Suburban Case for Regional Transit” (May 31).

• Ridgway White, president, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation will introduce and host a session on the impact of disinvestment in Michigan cities (May 30).

Governor Rick Snyder plans to discuss how Michigan has evolved over the past seven years during a session on May 30. His keynote address the following day will share insights on sustaining Michigan’s momentum against the backdrop of the conference pillars.

This year’s event features a gubernatorial bipartisan debate hosted by The Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee. Three candidates each from the Republican and Democratic parties are slated to participate.

Nearly 20 CMF members are sponsors of conference sessions and special events.

If you can’t make it to the island, you can follow the action online and Detroit Public Television’s MiWeek is slated to provide live and recorded coverage of conference events.

Want more?

Check out the full agenda.

Follow the Detroit Chamber on Twitter for up-to-date information from the conference.

Tune into Detroit Public Television’s MiWeek for conference coverage.