Four days on Mackinac Island. One grand porch. And hundreds of passionate leaders from across Michigan. Each morning, we rode Shepler’s Ferry across sparkling waters, joining a wonderfully mixed crowd of elected officials, state leaders, lobbyists, business execs and nonprofit changemakers. From sunrise coffee chats to late-night bar conversations, we networked, we brainstormed, walked the island, rode in horse-drawn carriages, and soaked up every ounce of this uniquely Michigan experience. And through it all, one thing was clear, we were all there because we care deeply about the future of our state.
While most of the memories we walk away with come from the people we spent time with, we’d like to share a few things from the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, that reminded us how good we have it here in Michigan, which left us feeling inspired.
- Investing in Women; Detroit’s WNBA Story
A high-profile panel of sports legends and business leaders explored the growing power of women’s sports and its potential to drive meaningful impact in Detroit. Moderated by Suzanne Shank, CEO of Siebert Williams Shank and Chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber Board, the panel featured Swin Cash-Canal, Grant Hill, Sandy Pierce, and Arn Tellem – each bringing unique insight on leadership, investment, and community impact.
The focal point of the discussion: Detroit has once again assembled an ownership group and formally submitted a bid to bring a WNBA team back to the city. But this isn’t just about returning professional women’s basketball to Detroit, it’s about creating opportunity and uplifting community. The panel shared plans for a proposed sports complex near the Belle Isle bridge, featuring state-of-the-art facilities that would serve multiple sports and create equitable access for kids across the city.
With women’s sports on the rise; fueled by the WNBA’s high viewership, powerful personalities like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and players building their own brands – the timing couldn’t be better. The early 2000s success of the Detroit Shock, with three championships under their belt, proved that this city shows up for women’s basketball. Now, with new energy, stronger backing, and a community-first approach, Detroit is ready to ball again.
Beyond basketball, the bigger message rang loud and clear: investing in women is good business. From the grassroots to the global stage, the momentum behind women’s sports is undeniable – and Detroit is positioning itself not just to participate, but to lead the movement. If your brand isn’t aligning itself with opportunities in women’s sports, it’s time to ask yourself “why not?”
- When San Fransico calls; a conversation between Dan Gilbert and Mike Duggan
We also had the privilege to join others in the Grand theatre for a rare one-on-one conversation between Dan Gilbert and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan – a candid and inspiring reflection on Detroit’s remarkable comeback over the last decade. What began with a focus on making the city safer; lowering ambulance response times, upgrading police talent, and investing in public safety infrastructure, has since evolved into a full-scale urban revival. Together, Gilbert and Duggan painted a vivid picture of what’s possible when public service, private investment, and relentless optimism align.
Mike Duggan shared a memorable story about Dan Gilbert inviting him into what looked like nothing more than a closet stacked with sneakers. Dan told him that this was their idea for the next big thing: an eBay-style marketplace for sneaker collectors. The twist? To solve the industry's biggest challenge – authenticity – their first two hires were the world’s top sneaker forgers. What seemed unconventional turned out to be visionary. That scrappy startup became StockX, now a multi-billion-dollar global platform. Sometimes, doing things unconventionally is exactly what drives game changing success.
The conversation between the two continued for about an hour, they spoke of the businesses and real estate opportunities that have reshaped downtown, the jobs created, and the renewed sense of pride across the city. But perhaps the most striking moment came at the end, when they shared a story about being invited by San Francisco’s city leaders to offer advice on revitalization – an acknowledgment that would have seemed unimaginable not long ago. Detroit, once written off, is now a model of resilience. And as they reminded the crowd, a thriving Detroit doesn’t just benefit the city, it lifts the entire state. A strong Detroit is a strong Michigan. We’re proud that our agency has a home in Detroit.
- In Michigan “we do hard things”; an address from Governor Whitmer
Governor Whitmer emphasized the value of “doing hard things” through bipartisan collaboration and long-term planning over short-term politics. While she celebrated many recent achievements for Michigan, including the most recent deal that saved Selfridge Air Base (preserving 30,000 jobs), she is committed to using her final 19 months in office to continue delivering on bold, impactful goals that position Michigan for a stronger future. Her priorities included:
- Tackling Michigan’s Literacy Crisis with a focus on science-based reading strategies aiming to ensure every child can read proficiently. Children are our future.
- Finalizing a Sustainable Road Funding Deal: while Michigan’s key highways have been addressed, local roads remain underfunded so striking a bi-partisan deal to continue to fixing Michigan’s infrastructure is imperative.
- Start Building a Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility: Boost U.S. chip independence, strengthen the local economy, and create thousands of jobs. Michigan must be on the front edge of these types of investments.
Her closing message: Despite national uncertainty, Michigan is on the right path ‐ resilient, united, and capable of doing hard things.
As we packed up with our latte-fueled ideas, we left Mackinac’s Grand Hotel exhausted but energized, not just by the views or the perfect weather, but by the people and the conversations shared. The 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference reminded us that Michigan’s future is something we all have a hand in shaping. Whether in policy, business, or community work, it’s our shared love for this state that drives progress. And at Hart, we truly believe our mission when we say it, “it’s about making every day greater.” Here’s to the partnerships, conversations, and action that will carry us forward – until next year, Mackinac.
Whether you're building a stronger community, growing a brand that makes a difference, or navigating what's next for your organization – these are the conversations we love to have.