Jim Hackett , CEO of Ford presenting at Leaders Connect
What is Leaders Connect?
As I looked at the calendar recently, I realized that Leaders Connect has been running for 25 years. In 1998, I had been conducting small groups for 10 community leaders. For one of the groups, I assigned them to read the book, Deep Change by Robert Quinn, my good friend, and associate at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. The members of the group loved the book so much that I asked Bob to present it to them. As the group members asked if they could bring their friends, about 20 of us met upstairs in the small room above Zingermans. The event went over so well that I decided to bring other speakers to present to the group on a monthly basis. These monthly meetings marked the beginning of what we now call Leaders Connect.
After meeting for several months at Zingermans, so many people wanted to attend that we outgrew the space. Diane Durance, who was one of the group members, invited us to present in a larger venue at the IT Zone (which later became Ann Arbor Spark Central). Community leaders such as Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University Of Michigan drew crowds of over 100 people.
A theme of all these events has been connecting Southeast Michigan leaders to one another in order to build a strong learning community in our region. Toward this direction, networking among leaders has been an essential part of Leaders Connect. I have been successful at bringing together a community of leaders from a variety of sectors of our region. These include leaders and speakers from:
- For-profit businesses
- Nonprofit organizations
- Leaders from our universities and community colleges
- The healthcare systems of Michigan Medicine and Trinity Health
- Private and public education
- State and local government leaders
- Arts and entertainment
In a friendly forum (currently Zingermans Roadhouse) over an early breakfast (8 AM) these leaders have an opportunity to meet each other, make important connections, and understand what is happening in the community. The participants can learn from experts from within the community and throughout the country (including the CEO of Boeing.)
Who had been the speakers?
Over the past 25 years, I have presented approximately 200 of these breakfast/learning community opportunities. These breakfasts have been made possible through the generous support of several community businesses, including Bank of Ann Arbor, Office Evolution, Rehmann, The Surnow Company, and Zingermans. Videographers have volunteered (Roger Rayle and Bill Hall) to create YouTube videos of these events.
- University professors: Bob Quinn, Jean Dutton, Gretchen Spreitzer, Len Middleton, and many many more
- University presidents, Dr. Mary Sue Coleman and Dr. Rose B Bellanca, President of Washtenaw Community College
- Coaches Llyod Carr and Brady Hoke
- Authors: including the late, Jeff Zaslow, John Bacon, Jim Tobin, John Baldoni
- Educational leaders including the superintendent of schools of Ann Arbor and Saline
- Government leaders including the late Mike Finney
- Scientists including NASA’s Thomas Zurbuchen
- Journalists from Ann Arbor News, Detroit Free Press, and Channel 7 News
During the Covid crisis
I was able to move Leaders Connect through Zoom to a weekly online format to help the community stay connected. Dr. Josephine Johnson, Dr. Rob McCurdy, Dr. Matthew Ajluni, PA Suzy Fancocur, and several other healthcare and mental healthcare professionals were able to keep community leaders informed about the extent of the Covid crisis and how it was being dealt with.
Hosting the events
Through these events, I have been surprised to discover my own talent to be able to be the Master of Ceremonies of these meetings.
We have been able to bring to the attention of the community such important topics as:
- New developments in business, science, and research
- The scope and importance of nonprofits
- A forum for organizations looking for a new talent
- An opportunity for people who are looking for employment to introduce themselves
- Organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit, who were seeking investment and funding
How to access the videos
130 of these events have been preserved and are available on my YouTube channel Rob Pasick’s Leaders Connect. Here is a link to access these talks. As a suggestion, feel free to use these informative sessions for lunch and learn sessions for the staff in your organization.
Here are upcoming events, planned for the spring of 2023:
- April: Mike van Lent on A.I technology
- May: Biotech in Ann Arbor with Mike Klein from Genomenon and Anna Schwendeman and Bill Brinkerhoff from EVOQ Therapeutics
- September: Robin Pollak, Kim Stricker, and Megan Torrance on Women Entrepreneurship
- October: Understanding Fintech with Phil Lynch
Question of membership
If you wish to receive invitations to Leaders Connect breakfasts, please submit an application to become a member of the Leaders Connect Community. Submit the form here.
I also thank my administrative assistant, Megan DeVries, for her excellent help in creating the Dr. Rob newsletters and Eventbrite invitations.
As an offshoot of Leaders Connect, I continue to offer small group activities. Currently, I am accepting enrollment in Next Steps groups for individuals who are transitioning in their careers. Click here for the application.