Jeff Donofrio is President and Chief Executive Officer of Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Under Jeff’s leadership, the organization has influenced significant policy outcomes to make Michigan a state where businesses want to invest and grow and people want to live and work, including increasing the state’s economic competitiveness, advancing K-12 education reforms, expanding talent pathways and strengthening Michigan’s business climate. Jeff also guided the development of the organization’s strategic plan, Compete to Win: Michigan’s Path to Top 10.
He previously served as director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), leading the state’s workforce, economic development, housing, and labor activities and overseeing 2,700 employees and a $1.6 billion budget. Before LEO, Jeff was the executive director of Workforce Development for the City of Detroit and an executive at Ford Motor Company. He also led the Michigan operations for Congressmen John D. Dingell and Sandy Levin and served in the Granholm administration.
Jeff grew up working in his family’s small businesses and earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and MBA from Georgetown University.
He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Launch Michigan (Michigan’s bipartisan nonprofit organization to reform K-12 public education). He also is Chair of the Michigan Workforce Development Board and serves on the boards of the Growing Michigan Together Council, Detroit Economic Club, the Michigan Educational Excellence Foundation and the [Detroit] Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, as well as the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board. In 2018, he was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s transition team as Special Advisor for Jobs and the Economy and was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 class.
Randi Berris is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Randi is responsible for managing all strategic communications, including public relations/media relations, social media, advertising, and sponsorships.
Prior to Business Leaders for Michigan, Randi served as director of corporate communications at TCF Bank prior to its merger with Huntington National Bank and played a critical role through the transition. She later became director of external communications at Huntington, where she served as strategic advisor and counselor to the bank’s executives and was responsible for directing the development, implementation and management of external communications strategies, reputational risk management and crisis communications. Randi also spent a number of years at DTE Energy in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in corporate communications.
Randi started her career as a journalist and was the long-time news editor at the Associated Press bureau in Detroit, including guiding coverage in Michigan through the Great Recession. She directed a large team of reporters covering the state’s business sector, multiple administrations, the state legislature, and the state’s political landscape.
Randi has a degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and currently serves on the Board of Advisors of Vista Maria.
Jordan Bouchard is the Senior Director of Public Policy and Initiatives at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Jordan brings extensive experience managing large-scale projects and strategic initiatives, with background in the energy, automotive, and industrial goods sectors. Focus areas for his prior work include growth and innovation strategy, operating model transformation, turnaround strategy, and investing in the green energy transition.
Jordan previously worked at Boston Consulting Group, where he collaborated with Business Leaders for Michigan on comprehensive research and analysis that significantly contributed to the development of our Community College Report. Prior to BCG, Jordan worked for DTE Energy and Houlihan Lokey. He has a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Lindsay Case Palsrok is the Vice President of Government Affairs at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Lindsay is responsible for managing our talent agenda, including work with Launch Michigan and K-12 reform, workforce development and other policy issues.
Lindsay previously served as executive director of Launch Michigan, a partnership of leaders representing business, education, labor, government and philanthropy who care deeply about education and are working to reimage how education can be properly structured and funded to ensure equity, performance and accountability for all learners.
Prior to that, Lindsay was the senior director of government relations at Detroit Regional Chamber. She also worked at the Michigan Republican Party for both the 2004 and 2006 campaign cycles and later served as a legislative director in the Michigan House of Representatives. She also was a fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program and a policy fellow of the Center for Health and Research Transformation at the University of Michigan.
Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a MBA from Michigan State University.
Dawn Harding serves as Administrative Assistant for Administration, Communications, Government Affairs and Public Policy at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Dawn assists with special projects and provides administrative support to the Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Development. Dawn also plays a supportive role in the organization’s events, board meetings and outreach activities.
Dawn holds an associate’s degree from Baker College and a continuing legal education certificate. She has more than sixteen years’ experience in a law office, serving as a paralegal and legal assistant.
She also has previous experience as a police cadet and executive assistant for the city of Taylor.
Amy Novak serves as the Executive Assistant at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Amy provides support to the President & Chief Executive Officer and to the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this role, she was Special Assistant for Projects and Outreach, where she provided administrative support to the communications, government affairs, administrative and public policy staff.
Before joining Business Leaders for Michigan, she served in an executive support role at Valenti Capital. Amy attended Oakland Community College and has more than 17 years of experience as an executive assistant. Amy lives in downtown Detroit and is very involved in her local community.
Melissa Roy is the Chief Public Affairs Officer at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
In Public Affairs, Melissa leads the development of government affairs and public policy strategies to align with Business Leaders of Michigan’s mission and priorities. Specifically, she works with the public affairs team on development of policy agendas and implementation of those priorities into legislative action, advancing partnerships and constructing messaging to advance organizational priorities. This includes oversight of public policy development, government relations, stakeholder engagement and related communications.
Melissa’s career comprises 25 years of work in the public affairs industry. She has extensive leadership experience and in public policy, advocacy, government relations, stakeholder development, economic development, government administration, team leadership and strategic communications.
Prior to joining Business Leaders for Michigan, Melissa was the founder and principal for Roy Public Affairs. Roy Public Affairs provided strategic communications, government relations, policy development, media relations, community relations and content development for her clients. In January of 2023, Melissa transferred her client work to Lambert Global, where she served as the Detroit Managing Partner.
Prior to starting Roy Public Affairs Management, Melissa led the creation of Advancing Macomb, a business and community leadership organization focused on philanthropic investment in communities within Macomb County. Immediately prior, she served in the public sector as Assistant County Executive for Macomb County, directing public affairs for County Executive Mark Hackel’s office.
Melissa started her career with the Detroit Regional Chamber in government relations and economic development work. She serves on the boards of Detroit Public Television and United Way. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Tim Sowton is Vice President of Public Policy and Research at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Tim is responsible for policy advocacy, policy development, and supporting the organization’s benchmarking efforts.
Prior to joining Business Leaders for Michigan, Tim was Regional Director of Government Relations for R. L. Polk & Co., based in Southfield, Michigan. In that position, Tim managed all government relations efforts for a 17-state region, including Michigan. In addition, he supported the company’s business development efforts, negotiating agreements with private vendors. Tim also served for nine years in the administration of former Governor John Engler, holding several positions focusing on policy and legislation, with his last position being Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs.
Tim has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan.
Stephen Walters is Strategy Analyst at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Stephen works to improve Michigan’s competitiveness by collecting and organizing data, abstracting trends, researching best practices, and supporting the development of benchmarks and actionable solutions.
Previously, he worked as a public policy and strategy analyst at MJ Capitol Consulting, LLC. In that capacity, he researched and analyzed federal healthcare legislation and regulations, consulting on behalf of the largest healthcare provider in the state of Michigan.
Stephen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with high distinction from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Jacqueline J. Wiggins is Chief Operating Officer of Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Jacque brings a strong background in shaping organizational strategy and aligning investment, large-scale initiatives, communications and teams to drive results. She has extensive experience in private and public companies spanning professional services, banking and nonprofit.
Most recently, Jacque served as Chief Strategy Officer for Baker Tilly, a Top 10 advisory CPA firm where she was responsible for business strategy, brand, marketing and communications. She first joined Baker Tilly in 2016 as Chief of Staff and played a pivotal role in the firm’s 19 acquisitions completed during her tenure.
Prior to Baker Tilly, Jacque served as Chief Operating Officer at Inforum, a Detroit and Grand Rapids-based organization that accelerates careers for women. She began her career in banking, working in Detroit and Chicago in a range of leadership roles including sales, marketing, process reengineering and public affairs.
A Detroit native, Jacque has her bachelor’s degree in economics from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in finance from Walsh College.
Bonnie Zorn is Chief of Staff at Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
Bonnie oversees office management, logistics, events, many of our team’s operations and countless other things to keep everything running smoothly.
Bonnie has spent much of her career in municipal and federal government, including in leadership roles in several Congressional offices and the City of Taylor. She has her Bachelor’s degree in communications studies from University of Detroit Mercy and a Master’s of Public Administration from University of Michigan Dearborn.
