Risky Business: Navigating Political Risk in Board Management

Overview

In an era where political landscapes are rapidly shifting, especially in light of the upcoming 2024 elections, understanding and managing political risk has become crucial for business leaders and board members. The Private Directors Association of Detroit invites you to join our esteemed panel for an in-depth discussion on "Risky Business: What is Political Risk and How do Boards Manage It?" This event is tailored for business owners, current board members, professionals aspiring to board roles, and companies in the process of enhancing their board composition.

Our panelists, comprised of seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds in business, public affairs, and governance, will delve into the nuances of political risk. They will explore its multifaceted nature, encompassing legislation, regulation, and the broader political climate's impact on business operations and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Political Risk: Gain insights into the various forms of political risk in today's global and domestic arenas.
• Strategic Planning: Learn how to integrate political risk assessment into your strategic planning, ensuring your organization stays agile and resilient.
• Risk Management Best Practices: Discover effective strategies for mitigating political risk, from proactive lobbying to scenario planning.
• Election Year Dynamics: With 2024 being an election year, understand how electoral outcomes can influence business environments and decision-making.

This panel discussion is more than an opportunity to learn; it's a chance to engage with peers and thought leaders, sharing experiences and strategies for thriving in a politically dynamic world. Join us for a morning of enlightenment, networking, and empowerment, as we equip you to navigate the complexities of political risk in board governance.

Registration

$30 Member Registration
$45 Non-Member Registration

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Thank you to our National Sponsors!

Thank you to our Chapter Sponsor!

 Bronze Chapter Sponsor 

 

Thank you to our Host Sponsor!

 

Panelists

Anne is President of Mervenne & Co., a public affairs consulting firm. She serves on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan and chairs the Enterprise Risk committee. She was elected in 2022 to serve on the national Board of Directors of the Private Directors Association. Anne is a devoted community leader serving as Chair of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation which supports Detroit’s first responders.

Brad Williams leads the best bipartisan advocacy team in Michigan as vice president, of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. A lifelong Michigander, Williams delivers over two decades of experience at the highest levels of politics and public policy. Williams provides oversight of the Chambers lobby team that delivers the voice of business in the State Capitol and to regional leaders. His tenure saw the Chamber lead successful advocacy efforts surrounding the Gordie Howe International Bridge, resolution of Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy, creation of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and development of historic economic development incentives.

Williams leads the Chamber’s political action efforts including successful endorsements of governors, senators, and mayor and over 90% of state legislators. A respected leader, Williams has served as the voice of business for ballot efforts on behalf of public transit, road funding, and business tax reform. Prior to his service at the Chamber, Williams began his career as a staff member in the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Department of Transportation. In 2018, he took temporary leave and served as a senior advisor to then Governor Elect Gretchen Whitmer during her  transition.

Melissa Roy’s public affairs career spans 25 years working with private, public and non-profit organizations. Through the combination of public affairs, public relations, public policy, marketing, branding and economic development, she has been able to forge new paths in the public affairs field and found the inspiration to create Roy Public Affairs Management.

Along with the Roy Public Affairs team, Melissa helped her clients expand their market, increase their brand awareness, leverage their internal communication resources, and elevate their reputation in the community. Through her 20 plus years of experience, Melissa built integrated communications platforms that include public affairs, public relations, community affairs, government relations, media, social media, and stakeholder communications.

She most recently served as the Managing Partner for Lambert Global’s Detroit office and their Director of Public Affairs.

Prior to starting Roy Public Affairs Management, Melissa helped create Advancing Macomb, a business and community leadership organization focused on raising the profile of and investment in Macomb County’s assets. As the organization’s founding Executive Director, she led its development to become the primary philanthropic organization in Macomb County.

She has also served in the public sector as Assistant County Executive for Macomb County, directing public affairs for County Executive Mark Hackel’s office. In this role, she led communications management and strategy; local, regional, state, and federal public policy development and relationship management. Her contributions included leading representation for Macomb County during the City of Detroit bankruptcy, implementing a new centralized communications structure, developing the County’s digital and social media platform, and launching the Make Macomb Your Home branding campaign. Additionally, she implemented a Macomb Caucus that included all levels of public officials in the county to share information and strategize on key issues.

In her tenure with the Detroit Regional Chamber, Melissa served as Senior Director in the Chamber’s government relations department where she led federal, state, and local government relationship management with a specialty in transportation, regulatory, and geopolitical issues. This included stakeholder development, advocacy, and monitoring emerging issues that impact business, trade, and infrastructure within Southeast Michigan.

Melissa has also served on the board of directors for many industry and local organizations. Currently, she serves on the boards of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, The Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and Detroit Public Television, where she is currently serving as chair. She is the past chair of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation), past president of the Detroit Intermodal and Ocean Freight Association and has served on the boards for the Detroit Artists Market, Community Legal Resources, and the Eight Mile Boulevard Association. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Moderator

Brian Eisbrenner is battle-tested CEO. Over the last 15 years, in the CEO role, Brian has led various companies in multiple industries ranging from $4.2 Million to $250 Million in sales, helping them achieve operational excellence and growth despite industry and economic challenges. He has hands-on experience in every phase of a business's life: Startup, Growth, Succession, Purchase, Leadership Transition, and The Sale of Businesses.

Today he works with inspiring, successful, hardworking people who embrace change, dream big and never settle. He helps to connect CEO's and business owners with the resources they need to overcome their most significant challenges, increasing their businesses' value, resulting in businesses worth owning and legacies worth leaving.

He served on the advisory boards of many privately held businesses in his time as a member of Vistage from 2008-2018. He is also a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICFMI), the Detroit Economic Club (DEC), the Private Directors Association (PDA), The Detroit Executives Association, and the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG).

He has a proven track record in change management, strategic planning, organizational development, and operational excellence. In addition, he brings proven executive leadership, thought diversity, critical thinking, and diplomacy.

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