Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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As Michigan works to become a top-10 state in education, leaders from business, philanthropy, higher education, and K-12 education discuss how place-based partnerships and cross-sector collaboration can help improve educational outcomes, quality of life, and economic opportunity from cradle to career.

This session explores how aligning school systems, universities, community development, and economic development strategies can strengthen Michigan’s long-term talent pipeline and future workforce.

Panelists: Jeff Donofrio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Leaders For Michigan
Wendy Lewis Jackson, Managing Director, Detroit, The Kresge Foundation
Elizabeth Birr Moje, Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan
Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Moderator: Rip Rapson, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Kresge Foundation

Watch more coverage from the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference:
detroitpbs.org/shows/one-detroit/series/mackinac-policy-conference/2026-mackinac-policy-conference

Mackinac Policy Conference 2026.

Hosted By @DetroitRegionalChamber

Presented by @detroitpbs, @OneDetroit

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