There are more people interested in working to reinvent Michigan's economy than those that live in the Great Lakes State. That groundswell of out-of-state support is why the Business Leaders for Michigan is launching the Michigan Ambassadors Program, an initiative to harness out-of-state executive talent with an affinity for Michigan.
"We really want to enlist these people in Michigan's turnaround," says Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of
Business Leaders for Michigan.
The Michigan Ambassadors Program will reach out to what Rothwell calls state alumni, people who either grew up in Michigan or went to school here. The goal is to get these corporate executives and leaders of non-profits and foundations to engage in helping push the state forward.
Rothwell expects hundreds of these state alumni to engage in bettering the state. That could range from considering Michigan for investment, consulting with local leaders on best practices and new ideas, or just serving as an ambassador for Michigan to those who are unfamiliar with the positive things happening here.
"Anybody who has grown up here or gone to school here will tell you there is a certain sense of pride here," Rothwell says.
Source: Doug Rothwell, president & CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke