The Michigan Opportunity

Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.

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The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

Season - 4 Episode 35

Donald Hillebrand, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director, Argonne National Laboratory

Don Hillebrand (native Michigander), Division Director at Argonne National Laboratory, walks us through mobility, drones, advanced energy, batteries and much more. Argonne is at the forefront of scientific innovation in the United States, addressing some of the world's most challenging scientific problems. Also references to the Oppenheimer Movie and his love for Oakland University!

Season - 4 Episode 31

Michael Robinet, Executive Director & Consulting, S&P Global

With Over 37 years of experience in automotive market analysis, forecasting, and supplier strategy Michael Robinet, Executive Director at S&P Global, shares with us his insights and forecasts on a vital industry to Michigan. He is a Director for the Automotive Hall of Fame, a Trustee for the SAE Foundation and a board member for the Canada Unites States Business Association.

Season - 4 Episode 30

Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer

Discover the latest initiatives at the MEDC as Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, discusses how Michigan is positioning itself in the arenas of talent, mobility, economic growth, defense, aerospace, innovation, and more. Then Quentin turns the tables on host Ed Clemente, diving into the podcast's 4-year journey, exploring the value of long-form listening, public value, emerging trends, unique guests, and much more.

Season - 4 Episode 15

Mackinac Policy Conference 2024 Part 1: Gordie Howe Bridge, U of M, MSU, Lt. Governor and much more

Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from the Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Hear from our very interesting guests including Jeff Donofrio, President & CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan; Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest; CEO Charl van Niekerk & Chief Relations Officer Heather Grondin, of the WDBA-APWD-Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority; President Santa Ono of University of Michigan & President Kevin Guskiewicz of Michigan State University; Maureen Donohue Krauss, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership; Jazmine Danci, Economic Development Administrator for the Downriver Community Conference - MI Works Community Conference; & Michigan’s Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.

Season - 4 Episode 14

Tu Le, Managing Director, Sino Auto Insights

Sino Auto Insights Founder and Managing Director, Tu Le, brings an abundance of experience from both the high-tech and automotive sectors having spent time living & working in Detroit, Silicon Valley, and China. Passionate about helping companies become difference-makers in the mobility space, Tu is recognized as an automotive & mobility expert in Asia by respected media outlets such as The Economist, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Reuters and more.

Season - 4 Episode 9

Tammy Carnrike, Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Tammy J. Carnrike is the Chief Operating Officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, working with businesses in the 11-county Southeast Michigan Region. Hear Tammy discuss the chamber's nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference, and the statewide automotive and mobility cluster association, MICHauto, including a comprehensive education and talent strategy in the state.

Season - 4 Episode 7

Justine Johnson, Senior Vice President & Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification

As Senior Vice President & Chief Mobility Officer, Justine Johnson leads the state’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification in working across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging mobility technologies and businesses.

Season - 3 Episode 40

Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, VP of Customer Experience for Consumers Energy

Listen to Lauren Youngdahl Snyder as she discusses electric vehicles, renewable energy and efficiency. Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy, is an investor-owned utility that provides natural gas and electricity to 70% of Michiganders and serves customers in all 68 of the state's Lower Peninsula counties.

Season - 3 Episode 34

Lydia Michael, Owner of Blended Collective, Author of Brand Love and Kevin Ketels, Assistant Professor Global Supply Chain Management, Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University

Lydia Michael and Kevin Ketels explore the growing world of international marketing, branding and supply chain evolution. Blended Collective is a multicultural marketing and brand consultancy focused on the core values of authenticity, culture, and diversity. Kevin Ketels of Wayne State University, walks us through the changing world of supply chains and the growth of electrification and EV’s.

Season - 3 Episode 28

Special Episode: CAR MBS 2023

Join us from the Grand Traverse Resort for a special podcast about CAR MBS (Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars). Hear from industry leaders as they discuss the future of the global automotive industry.

Our guests include: Mark Garrison of Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Kevin Green and students Terrick Thomas & Candace Jones of Focus: Hope, Tom Manganello of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Christine Roeder from the Detroit Regional Partnership GEM program, Kathleen Hickey of Auto/Steel Partnership and World Auto Steel, Jay Johnson of Behavioral Elements and Patrick Weldon of Polaris.

About the Host: Ed Clemente

Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.

From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.

Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.

Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.


The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.