Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the state of Michigan’s talent and workforce. Is it still shrinking and tighter than ever? Getting better? Evolving in different ways? Joining her in the discussion are two leaders at the forefront of the latest trends and best practices on this important issue that affects virtually every employer across industries. They are:Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel and Sustainability Officer, @David Weeks, the Market Director for Southeast Michigan, Kelly Services

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something called carbon capture – or decarbonization – what it really is, how it works and why it’s a fast-growing part of our environmental and energy future. Joining her are are three folks at the forefront of this work:Rich Bowman, Director of policy for The Nature Conservancy in MichiganBen Grove, the Senior Manager of Carbon Storage for the Clean Air Task ForceMike Alaimo, the Michigan Chamber’s Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers:Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business - our state’s largest business publicationJenell Leonard, Owner of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) - a full-service strategic communications firm

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it - and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents. Joining him in this discussion are:Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy CenterLeah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month and National STEM Day!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution to soften the impact.Joining him in this discussion are:Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids ChamberKelli Saunders, Vice President of Policy & Engagement at the Small Business Association of MichiganWendy Block, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are:Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of MichiganMike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings InsuranceWendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on affordable housing - one of the key barriers Michigan employers, communities and families alike are facing right now. Joining him in the discussion are:Jon Blazic, Manager of United States Gypsum Alabaster, Mich, plant.Dawn Crandall, Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of MichiganMike Alaimo, Director of our Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of an intended and irresponsible lawsuit from Attorney General Dana Nessel that has the potential to harm Michigan and the infrastructure that keeps our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses running.Joining him in that discussion are:Mark Griffin, President of the Michigan Petroleum Association and Michigan Association of Convenience StoresMike Alaimo, Director Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of Michigan’s first statewide competition of the National Civics Bee and take a look at what’s next for the 2025 bee – and why it matters so much! Joining him in the discussion are:Stacy Bailey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Okemos Public SchoolsGeoff Bontrager, Superintendent for Northwest Community Schools in JacksonSimon Reed from West Middle School in Plymouth, state finalist and ended up taking 2nd place in this year’s statewide competition

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of water usage and management practices in the Great Lakes State. Joining him are:Emily Finnell, Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Michigan Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and EnergyRon Burke, President & CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into Michigan elections – an issue that’s front and center in a presidential election year like 2024, especially in a battleground state like ours – and a unique, in-demand way to get involved in our communities by being an election poll worker. We’re going to learn more about how to be part of helping run smooth, secure and accessible electionsJoining him in this discussion are a team member and two leading authorities in the state of Michigan:Melanie Ryska, City Clerk for the City of Sterling Heights, plus the current president of the Michigan Assn of Municipal ClerksAdam Wit, Township Clerk for Harrison Township and past president of the Michigan Association of Municipal ClerksBecky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Greg McNeilly, CEO and President of the The Windquest Group and Author of "Red, White & Verse", to discuss the American spirit and outlook!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Heather Grondin, the chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, to discuss one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country right now – the new Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing at our Ontario/Michigan border in Detroit!

Becky Burtka of the Michigan Chamber/Michigan Chamber Foundation is joined by a couple of inspiring female entrepreneurs – Carrie Rathbun Hawks, president and owner of Rathbun Public Relations, and Michelle Gilbert, chief engine officer at Purple Engine Coaching & Consulting – to take a closer look at women’s leadership and the upcoming Michigan ATHENA 2024 Leadership Summit.

Jim Holcomb - President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Neil Bradley - Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer and Lead for Strategic Advocacy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to discuss free enterprise, the threats it faces, and what the business community can and must do about it!

Our Capital City landed on the "Judicial Hellholes" list this year for the first time ever. Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Lauren Sheets Jarrell, VP and General Counsel for The American Tort Reform Association to discuss why Lansing was put on the list and what we need to do to make sure it never happens again. She’s the lead analysist and author of the group’s annual Judicial Hellholes report and where our state’s ranking came from.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Hilary Crow, the VP for Civics at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to discuss civic engagement and the business case for supporting it - a very important issue as our country struggles with fundamental civics knowledge and we enter a fast and furious election year.

Bob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of a special time of year and segment of industry that may be small in how they’re described, but one that truly makes a BIG impact every day: our state’s 900,000+ small businesses and National Small Business Month that kicked off May 1.  We’re going to celebrate these diverse entrepreneurs and dive into the changing landscape and core growth strategies and activities that can help.Joining him in the discussion are Kristi Tabor, Advertising Account Executive for Scripps Local Media/Broadcasting Co. and Fox 47, and Krista Moon, the President and owner of Ascend Business Growth!

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, leads the discussion of an issue that may not be on your radar right now but one that can have far reaching impacts - and that's Ozone Attainment and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)!Joining him in this discussion are:Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan ChamberKelly Karll, Manager of Environment & Infrastructure for SEMCOG, Southeast Michigan Council of GovernmentsCaroline Liethen, Director of Environmental & Regulatory Policy for Michigan Manufacturers Association

As our state focuses on growing our population and enhancing our homegrown manufacturing and supply chain, how and how fast we can permit projects of all kinds makes a difference. Joining Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, for a roundtable discussion on this key topic are three very knowledgeable guests:Troy Cumings,Partner at Warner, Norcorss + Judd and the chair of the Michigan Chamber’s Environmental & Energy Policy CommitteeBen Tirrell, Legislative Counsel for the Michigan Farm BureauMike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Did you know that Michigan is home to one of the country’s most diverse agricultural states in the nation or that our food and agriculture industry is a huge economic driver too?Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Carl Bednarski, President of Michigan Farm Bureau and Chuck Lippstreu, President of the MI Agri-Business Association to take a deeper dive into the industry that helps feed and protect our state … and the world!

Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, hosts part 2 of the Michigan winter tourism industry and outlook discussion. Joining her in the conversation is Brad Keen, COO of Boyne Resorts, as they get you ready for the snow sports season!

Becky Burtka, the Michigan Chamber’s VP of Member Engagement, hosts a conversation about the fast-evolving talent and HR landscape, the biggest developments and trends affecting the workplace and the future of work, and an upcoming summit designed to help navigate it all.Joining her in this discussion are:Aaron Graves, Attorney, and Member & Chair of the Workplace Law Practice Group at BodmanAshley Higginson, Attorney, and a Principal at Miller Canfield - specializes in employment and labor law issuesWendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by special guest and capitol insider Wendy Block, the Michigan Chamber’s Senior VP of Business Advocacy, to take a closer look at the Governor Whitmer’s 6th State of the State address before a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. What was in it? What wasn’t? And what does it all mean for Michigan’s business community?

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan as they highlight the past struggles and, more importantly, the tremendous resurgence of our state's largest city!

Amanda Toy, VP of Membership and Partnerships at the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Brittney Primeau, the Communications Director for Crystal Mountain - located in Northern Michigan's Benzie County. Tune in as they highlight and discuss Michigan’s tourism outlook now that the snowy winter season is upon us!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the conversation about an issue that may often go under the radar, but is really important to how Michigan can clean up contaminated properties and brownfields across our cities and state. Joining him in this discussion are three special guests:Jono Klooster, Acting Economic Development Director for the City of Grand RapidsTroy Cumings, a partner at Warner, Norcorss + Judd and the chair of the Michigan Chamber’s Environmental & Energy Policy CommitteeMike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

As we wrap up November and Veterans Month, it’s an important time to reflect and honor the service of Michigan’s veterans as well as highlight their inherent skills and abilities they bring to our workforce and the ways our businesses can be veteran-friendly employers.Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by the newly appointed director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Brian Love. Brian is a Marine Corps veteran who began his new role on October 31!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Amy Rencher, Senior VP of Small Business Services for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Lillian Werbin, the new Co-Owner and President of Elderly Instruments – who also happens to be this year’s America’s Top Small Business. Together, they discuss a segment of industry that may be small in how they’re described, but one that truly makes a BIG impact every day in our state’s economy across every Michigan community for every Michigander - our state’s 900,000+ small businesses!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the MI Chamber and Tess Ulrey of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest MI to discuss an exciting new initiative that’s coming to Michigan in 2024 – the National Civics Bee!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, is joined Mike Alaimo, Director of environmental and energy affairs for the Chamber, as well as Gary Melow, Director of Michigan Biomass and Caroline Liethen, Director of Environmental & Regulatory Policy for Michigan Manufacturers Association, to discuss Michigan's energy policy. We'll dive into what's happening right now and what Michiganders should be aware of as well as the concerns with current proposals that could impact affordability, reliability, and feasability.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, dives into a brand-new report that studied a HUGE issue impacting Michigan’s workforce, employers and economy … a lack of access to affordable, quality childcare. A nearly $3 Billion impact annually. Joining him in the conversation are three special guests:Caitlin Codella Low, VP of Policy and Programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation - where she specializes in early childhood and K-12 education as well as college and career readiness.Dr. Sacha Klein, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation - more commonly known as or ECIC - and a former professor and PhD in social work at Michigan State University.Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Leadership Programming at the Michigan Chamber - who is leading our work on this critical policy issue.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by the Chamber's Senior VP, Wendy Block, and their Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs, Mike Alaimo, to discuss a host of potentially damaging state policy proposals under consideration and a new collaborative effort to help bring diverse job providers and organizations together to help convey the unintended consequences of these efforts and ensure we’re growing our Great Lakes State.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, discusses a big issue affecting the state’s cannabis industry – a lack of access to common banking and financial services that all other legal industries have.Joining him in the discussion are Mike Elias, Co-Founder and CEO of Common Citizen - a Michigan-based cannabis company and Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Leadership Programming at the Michigan Chamber - and lead on this particular policy issue!

Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs at the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Mike Troupos, VP of Foresight Management - a Grand Rapids-based sustainability and energy management consultant, to discuss “sustainability” and what Michigan businesses need to know - including trends, pressures, expectations, opportunities and challenges!

Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Leadership Programming for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Himes Greer of Public Sector Consultants to discuss the childcare landscape in Michigan – including its affordability, accessibility and its impact to our workforce and economy. It’s our foundation for a three-part series on this critical issue!

Wendy Block, the Michigan Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy, is joined by two in-the-know insurance industry resources to discuss a key pending legislative package that’s been labeled “bad faith."They are:Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of MichiganMark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute

Jim Holcomb, the Michigan Chamber’s president & CEO, talks with three great resources on a key pending legislative proposal that could dramatically change the way businesses of all sizes and types use independent contractors. Joining Jim in the conversation are:Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber.Mike Pomerantz, Public Engagement Manager for DoorDashDawn Crandall, the Executive VP of Government Relations for the Homebuilders Association of Michigan

Jim Holcomb, the Michigan Chamber’s president & CEO, is joined by three key members of our Capitol Press Corps who directly cover or lead coverage of our state’s policy and political landscape for their respective outlets. They are:Zoe Clark, Political Director for Michigan Radio - one of our state’s biggest public broadcasting stationsChad Livengood, Politics Editor and Columnist for The Detroit News - one of our state’s largest statewide daily newspapers.Jonathan Oosting, Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan - our state’s largest nonprofit news service that’s been steadily growing.

Leah Robinson, the Michigan Chamber’s Director of Legislative Affairs and Leadership Programming - which includes heading up the Michigan ATHENA program. In this episode, she is joined by a Mid-Michigan trailblazer and local news legend – anchor Sheri Jones of WLNS TV 6, who also happens to be the incoming chair of the Chamber’s Michigan ATHENA Advisory Council. We’ll be discussing women’s leadership development and why that’s so key in the business community. We’ll also share some great upcoming learning and networking opportunities!

Bob Thomas, COO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by his President and CEO, Jim Holcomb, in part 2 of the discussion on the Chamber 's role in strengthening the great state of Michigan in a number of different ways!

Bob Thomas, COO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by his President and CEO, Jim Holcomb, in part 1 of a 2 part discussion on the Chamber 's role in helping to strengthen the great state of Michigan in a number of different ways!

Amanda Toy, VP of Membership and Partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Jane Hagen, Senior VP & Director of Retirement Plans at Tri-Star Trust - a Michigan-based wealth management firm, to give a rundown on retirement savings – a topic that affects us all even if we don’t want to think about it. We discuss the latest investment market outlook, new federal policy changes for 401(k)s, and tools that can help both employers and employees!

Jim Holcomb, the Michigan Chamber’s president & CEO, takes a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a survey that’s the talk of Michigan’s capital city this time of the year – the MIRS/EPIC-MRA Insiders Survey.Jim is joined by two great guests who put it together every two years:John Reurink, the publisher and co-owner of the Michigan Information & Research Service, otherwise known as MIRS - an in-depth capital news service.Bernie Porn, the founding principal and president of EPIC-MRA - a full-service survey research firm based in Lansing.

Sara Wurfel, the Michigan Chamber’s Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, takes a closer look at a host of pending legislation and how it might affect Michigan’s business climate and efforts underway to grow our Great Lakes State’s population. It’s the wonky concept of repealing local preemption laws which is another way of saying that Michigan’s 1,800+ local units of government could EACH set their own rules and regulations.Joining Sara in the conversation are three special guests who are working every day on these issues and they are:Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy & Member Engagement for the Michigan ChamberAmy Drumm, Senior VP of Government Affairs for the Michigan RetailersMarcus Keech, the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber

We’re going international! Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Earl Provost, the Ontario Agent General, to discuss Michigan and Canada’s close relationship and some key projects between our two countries.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Pete Sheffield, the Chief Sustainability Officer or CSO for Enbridge Energy, and Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental & Energy Affairs of the Michigan Chamber to discuss our Energy Transition and how we can move forward in a way that’s realistic and works. This is an issue that’s increasingly front and center due to climate mitigation conversations along with policy proposals and actions at the state, federal, and global levels!