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eDetroiter: View the 2026 Michiganians of the Year

Detroit Regional Chamber Celebrates The Detroit News 2026 Michiganians of the Year​

Front row (left to right): Betsy Bernard, Lynn Keller, Maha Freij, Mike Tirico, Kenneth Kelly, Sandy Pierce, Sally Bernard, Nancy Tellem, Leslie Crutchfield

Back row (left to right): Gary Miles, Greg Keller, Dug Song, Nolan Finley, Christine Delaney, Chuck Hellebuyck, Curtis Lewis, Kevin Hardy

On June 23, the Detroit Regional Chamber partnered with The Detroit News to host the publication’s annual “Michiganians of the Year” awards ceremony, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the state of Michigan. 2026 marks the 48th class of Michiganians of the Year.

Congratulations to this year’s 2026 recipients:

  • The late J. Michael Bernard

     

  • Christine Delaney, Executive Director, Tibbits Opera House
  • Maha Freij, President and Chief Executive Officer, ACCESS
  • Megan Keller, USA Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist
  • Connor Hellebuyck, USA Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist
  • Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Independence Bank; Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Curtis Lewis, Founder and President, Boldly Moving Education Ahead; Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
  • Sandy Pierce, Corporate Board Executive, CEO Advisor, and Community Strategist; Chair Emeritus, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Dug Song, Co-Founder and President, Song Foundation; Member, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Nancy Tellem, Founder, BasBlue
  • Mike Tirico, Host, NBC Sports
Learn More About the Honorees
 

 Chamber Announces Harvard Business School’s 2026 Young American Leaders Program Participants

Pictured: The 2025 Harvard Business School’s Detroit’s Young American Leaders Program (YALP) cohort

The Chamber has reaffirmed its commitment to developing the next generation of regional leaders through its continued partnership with Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program (YALP), sending a group of nine diverse executive-level business and community leaders to participate in the program, including Brian J. Shoaf, the Chamber’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business advocacy. 

What it is: Founded in 2015, YALP brings together cohorts of 10 leaders from 14 cities across the U.S. for an immersive academic and collaborative experience at Harvard Business School. 

The Chamber’s role: As a founding member, the Chamber plays a key role in identifying and preparing professionals in the Detroit Region to cultivate a pipeline of forward-thinking leaders equipped to address the Detroit Region’s most pressing challenges.

View This Year’s Participants
 

The Region’s Top Leaders Are Applying. Will You Join Them?

Applications for Leadership Detroit Class 47 close this Friday, June 26, at 5 p.m., marking the final chance to be considered for one of the Detroit Region’s most prestigious leadership experiences.

What it is: Facilitated by the Chamber, Leadership Detroit is a premier leadership enrichment program designed to deepen participants’ understanding of key challenges and opportunities across the Detroit Region, and to foster informed and engaged leadership that drives positive change.

Who should apply: The program is designed for leaders who are ready to:

  • Expand their influence across industries
  • Engage directly with the Region’s most pressing challenges
  • Join a powerful network of decision-makers and changemakers
Start Your Application

What’s at Stake for Michigan Businesses in the USMCA Review

As federal officials prepare for the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Michigan employers and the business community at large are watching closely for what the process could mean for tariffs, supply chains, investment decisions, and the state’s long-term competitiveness.

During a recent virtual briefing hosted by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Detroit Regional Chamber and Grand Rapids Chamber, the business community learned what they should expect from the review process, broader tariff activity, and the political dynamics shaping negotiations among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

What Business Leaders Should Know
 

EY Announces Winners for the Entrepreneur of the Year® 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award

Pictured left to right: Austin Arksey, Ahzam Afzal, Bob Armbruster, Jason Slocum, Melissa Butler, Lauren Rakolta, Sheldon Yellen, Ryan Niles , Brett Smith, Jim Richards, Max Surnow

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year® 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award, which includes Ryan Niles of Niles Industrial Coatings, a Chamber member company.

The award honors visionary leaders of high-growth companies driving innovation, growth, and prosperity for future generations. 

View the List of Award Winners
 

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Upcoming Events​

 
 

Join the Chamber’s TalentEd team on Thursday, July 23, at 8:45 a.m. for the next Industry Insights event.  From placemaking and economic development to emerging careers that have yet to exist, this session will explore how innovation is shaping the Detroit Region’s future.

Register Now
 

Join the Chamber for its AI Office Hour on Wednesday, Aug. 12, brought to you by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to explore how AI is being applied in practical, high-impact ways across various industries and how it delivers tangible business value.

Register Now
 
 

ICYMI: Baruah Speaks at the Reindustrialize Summit​

Pictured left to right: Sandy K. Baruah, Bruce Brown, Frank St. John

Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah recently moderated a fireside chat at the Reindustrialize Summit with GM Defense Vice President Bruce Brown and Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John about their new collaboration to strengthen America’s manufacturing and defense industries. Read more about the partnership.

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