La capsula Informativa: 2024 Detroit Policy Conference: Opportunity, Passion & Persistence

Most speakers seem to agree that education and transit are the main challenges facing our State. If we want to attract and retain talent, we simply have to do better. Everyone seemed surprised that young people don’t want cars, but this is not news. When you consider our household income and wage growth are low, many people in the workforce can’t afford cars and would much prefer to travel by mass transit.

And the challenges facing education are overwhelming. When I was at Harvard’s Young American Leaders Program last year, my cohort came away disheartened by Detroit’s education data but energized to help make a difference. Our biggest takeaway was so many people are working on this, but what’s missing is cross-sector collaboration. We reconvene next month, and after the Detroit Policy Conference, I’m armed with new ideas!  

I always look forward to what Mayor Duggan will share at these events. Of course, he shared some wins and accomplishments from 2023. But what I found most interesting is the partnership between the police department and Wayne State’s Mike Illitch School of Business where law enforcement leaders take business courses and can earn a leadership certificate toward an MBA. He’s leveled up his leaders, and the results are good.

I loved hearing about other innovations like solar fields and partnering with nonprofits to help with crime prevention, too.  

And none of these events would be good without the engagement of local media to moderate panels and interview leaders. Great work from familiar faces like Nolan Finley, Zoe Clark and Lloyd Jackson – and I loved the energy of newcomers like Orlando Bailey from BridgeDetroit and Shaina Humphries from CBS Detroit.  

Why do I care so much about this? The reason I get up every morning is because I am fiercely committed to the growth and shared prosperity of my Franco team, our clients and our community. This goes to the very heart of why Franco exists. So if you see us at these events, it’s because we’re here to make more than marketing videos and provide crisis counsel. We’re here to make an impact for another 60 years. Thanks again to the Detroit Regional Chamber for fanning that fire in me 😊 

Tina Kozak is Franco’s CEO. Connect with her on LinkedIn.