The last day of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference wrapped up with noteworthy conversations with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Austan Goolsbee, Bill Ford, and Alexandra Ford English, plus engaging panels with business and government leaders.

View all Conference recaps on the Chamber website. Additionally, media from across the nation are covering the Conference this week. View the coverage.

Keynote Address: Gretchen Whitmer

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her second-to-last Conference keynote address, touching on her final strides to solidify success in Michigan, before a conversation with Tricia A. Keith of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

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Gov. Whitmer: Michigan is Key Card to Play in Future of US Manufacturing

A Conversation With Austan Goolsbee

The Chicago Fed President and Chief Executive Officer, Austan Goolsbee, offered insights into the labor market, current economic conditions, and the strategy behind a “soft landing” during a chat with the Chamber’s Sandy K. Baruah.

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Q&A With Austan Goolsbee

A Conversation With Bill Ford and Alexandra Ford English

Bill Ford and Alexandra Ford English discussed the dynamics of running a family business and managing multi-generational leadership, as well as how a company’s core values can remain constant while its culture adapts, on stage with Christy McDonald of Sammac Communications Inc. 

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Relentlessly Focused on the Future

(Left to Right) James Craig, Fred Durhal III, Saunteel Jenkins, Solomon Kinloch Jr., Mary Sheffield

Detroit Mayoral Debate

Five Detroit mayoral candidates, selected by the Chamber Political Action Committee Board, participated in the first debate of the election season, sharing some of their ideas and plans if elected Mayor of Detroit.

Navigating Uncertainty in National Policy

(Left to Right) Roop Raj, S.E. Cupp, April Ryan

National seasoned media professionals brought their perspectives on the current political climate, including Michigan’s political environment and its national impact, during a moderated panel with Fox 2 Detroit’s Roop Raj. 

A Conversation With Michigan’s Congressional Leaders

(Left to Right) Jason Colthorp, Reps. Tom Barrett, Debbie Dingell, Bill Huizenga, Kristen McDonald Rivet

A bipartisan panel of U.S. congressional leaders representing Michigan took the Conference stage to provide insight on how two opposing ideologies can work together, regardless of the situation.

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Meeting Michigan’s Newest US Representative

Leading Through Turbulent Times

(Left to Right) Daniel Howes, Tina Freese Decker, Linda Hubbard, Jerry Norcia, Peter Quigley

Leading industry leaders in Michigan discuss how they are navigating the challenges of national policy uncertainty while staying focused on growth and talent development during a moderated discussion with Daniel Howes of The Detroit News.

How High-growth Enterprises Make It in Michigan

(Left to Right) Gary Torgow, Anthony Chang, Greg Schwartz, Andrea Wallace, Walter Ward III

Co-founders and chief executive officers from Michigan-based companies delved into the key factors that drive entrepreneurial success, why they chose Michigan, and more during a moderated conversation with Gary Torgow of Huntington National Bank.

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How High-growth Enterprises Make It in Michigan? Lending, Business Backing, and Peer Networks Hold the Key

Meet the 2026 Conference Chair: Bob Riney 

Today, the Chamber announced Henry Ford Health’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Riney, as the Chair of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference and Vice Chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

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