What is Business Leaders for Michigan?

Business Leaders for Michigan is a private, non-profit executive leadership organization dedicated to making Michigan a “Top Ten” state in the long-term and an above average state in the short-term for job and economic growth.  The organization is composed exclusively of the chairpersons, chief executives or most senior executives of Michigan's largest companies and universities that provide over 300,000 jobs in Michigan, generate over $1 Trillion in annual revenue and serve over 130,000 students.

How is Business Leaders for Michigan different from other business organizations?

• Our work is about improving Michigan, not representing the business community.  While we are business leaders of Michigan's largest job providers, our organization is focused on how we can make Michigan a Top Ten state for job & economic growth, not just improving things for business.

• We focus exclusively on developing strategies that will accelerate Michigan’s job & economic growth.  Our work includes building awareness and support for these strategies, advancing a legislative agenda and implementing high-impact economic development programs that drive results.  Most other state business organizations focus on member services and lobbying for a broad range of legislative and regulatory issues that advance the interests of the business constituencies they represent.  

• We are not a membership organization.  We do not offer any of the member service benefits commonly associated with business organizations, such as health insurance programs, special discounts or networking events. 

• We’re relatively small.  To maintain the level of leadership and engagement we think is critical to our success, Business Leaders for Michigan will be limited to about 100 CEO’s of the state’s largest and most significant job providers and our staff is very small.

How do I join Business Leaders for Michigan?

Membership is by invitation only. Eligible individuals for board membership are usually chairpersons, chief executive officers or the most senior executives of Michigan-based private, for-profit or non-profit companies or companies doing business in Michigan with annual revenues greater than $500 million, or less than $500 million if the individual is a prominent leader in the business community or represents a fast-growing enterprise in an emerging business sector.

We suggest that businesses interested in getting involved, but do not meet our membership criteria, consider joining the Michigan Chamber of Commerce or the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

How can I become involved and support Business Leaders for Michigan’s work?

Visit www.MichiganTurnaroundPlan.com for a list of actions you can take to support the Michigan Turnaround Plan, our agenda for making Michigan a “Top Ten” state again for job and economic growth.

How can I get Business Leaders for Michigan to participate in or sponsor my event?

Please send your request to Kirsten Ussery, our Director of Communications & Marketing, at kirstenu@businessleadersformichigan.com.

How do I get a member of Business Leaders for Michigan to speak at my event?

If you are interested in having us speak at your event about our organization and work, please send your request to kirstenu@businessleadersformichigan.com.

Do you accept resumes and/or offer internships?

Business Leaders for Michigan does not offer an internship program.