Economic Inclusion Summit
New in 2024, the Economic Inclusion Summit brings regional leaders together to gain tools and momentum to tackle economic inclusion in West Michigan. Minority-owned business owners and community partners are invited to help develop a thriving, diverse ecosystem in our community and tackle the hard questions that come with this topic.
Key topics include:
- The state of economic inclusion in Grand Rapids
- Diversifying procurement practices
- Creating access to capital
- Fostering economic inclusion through community construction projects
- Supporting New American-owned and immigrant-owned businesses
- The Way Forward: Making Grand Rapids the model of economic inclusion
8:30 a.m. Welcome
Jenny Waugh, Vice President of Economic Growth, Grand Rapids Chamber
Noele Stith, Senior Design Partner, Design Group Intl.
Micalah Suser, Business Analyst, Meijer
9:05 a.m. Panel Discussion: Diversifying Procurement Practices
Shelton Kilby, Senior Director of Facility Operations and Construction, Corewell Health
Robert Lundquist, Manager, Global Supply Management Services, Steelcase
Jessi Goldner, Director of Strategic Engagement & Compliance, Waseyabek Development Company
Moderator: Laura Hopson, President & CEO, EM Services
9:35 a.m. Break
10:10 a.m. Panel Discussion: Addressing the Access to Capital Barrier
Carlton Shelton, Senior Loan Officer, Opportunity Resource Fund
Marcus Jackson, Community Impact Manager II, Fifth-Third Bank
Joseph Malone, Vice President of Operations, Holo Footwear
Moderator: Omar Cuevas, Senior Vice President of Investor & Corporate Relations, Grand Rapids Chamber
10:30 a.m. Fostering Economic Inclusion Through Local Construction Projects
James Peacock III, Economic Opportunity Organizer, DGRI
Brad Mathis, Senior Vice President, Rockford Construction
10:55 a.m. Doing Business as an Immigrant – A Discussion
Linus De Paoli, Owner, 3 Gatos Brewery
Evelyn Esparza- Gonzalez, Executive Director, Hispanic Center of West Michigan
11:10am Strategies for Supporting New American and Immigrant-Owned Businesses
Jay Ahmed, SVP, Market President, Highpoint Community Bank
11:25 a.m. The Way Forward: Making Grand Rapids the Model of Economic Inclusion
Maegan Frierson, Director of System Building, KConnect
11:40 a.m. Closing Remarks
Jenny Waugh, Vice President of Economic Growth, Grand Rapids Chamber
Diversify Your Spend Business Showcase & After Hours
The Diversify Your Spend Business Showcase & After Hours enhances supplier diversity and procurement connections in our West Michigan community.
Why it matters: The showcase will consist of historically underrepresented businesses (owned by racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, women, people with disabilities, people with neurodiversity, and more) to increase diverse spending and expand procurement databases within your organization.
This is a great opportunity to expand your network and connect with diverse-owned businesses and fellow Chamber members.
