John Kao : Keynote Speaker

Innovation Master

John Kao is an authority on the intersecting subjects of corporate innovation and transformation, design, and the future of business. Dubbed a "serial innovator" and "Mr. Creativity" by The Economist, he has made a career out of helping organizations go from "getting" the importance of innovation to "getting innovation done." John has worked with a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, startups, and government agencies around practical issues of strategic innovation and organizational transformation. Other nicknames he acquired from his clients include "the Innovation Sherpa" and "the Innovation Guru."

In addition to his other accomplishments, John is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, Tony-nominated producer, and business pioneer. For 14 years, he taught at Harvard Business School, where he developed courses, lectures, and executive seminars that addressed the topics of entrepreneurship, venture management, innovation, leadership, and organizational change. He has also been a visiting professor at the MIT Media Lab as well as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Innovation at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.

John's new book, "Innovation Nation", examines the global dynamics of innovation and pays particular attention to what America's innovation posture needs to be in a world in which many countries are racing for the innovation high ground. He has carried out in-depth research in such countries as Singapore, Denmark, Dubai, China, and Brazil. His bestselling book "Jamming" focused on creativity and setting the right conditions for business innovation.

Patricia Mooradian : Welcome Address

President, The Henry Ford

As President of The Henry Ford, Patricia Mooradian oversees the development and implementation of every aspect of the institution’s educational programming and business agenda. With more than 25 years of experience in management, strategic planning and communications, Patricia is moving The Henry Ford into the national realm as America’s greatest history attraction. Since joining the institution in 2000, she has developed a ten-year strategic plan focusing on increased attendance, new visitor experiences and amenities, new educational products and benchmark hospitality. In addition, she has introduced new tourism and sales initiatives and spearheaded The Henry Ford’s brand development and wayfinding initiatives.

Russell Banks

Creative Director, Gensler Brand Design

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As creative director for Gensler Brand Design, Russell leads multi-disciplinary teams whose focus is to effectively implement brand strategies in the built environment including all forms of media. With over 20 years of experience, he has been responsible for developing brand programs for such diverse organizations as American Express, Anschutz Entertainment Group, Lexus, Microsoft, MGM MIRAGE, Motorola, Sony Imageworks, Rockwell International and Technicolor.

An honors graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Russell’s academic credentials are matched by a wide range of work and experience that includes brand strategy development, name, identity and collateral systems development, user experience design, environmental graphic design, web content development and user-interface design.

For over 5 years, Russell served as a faculty member at the Art Center College, Pasadena where he taught core curriculum courses in Information Design and Brand Identity Development.

Christopher Baum

Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, DMCVB

Christopher Baum develops the long-term business strategies and objectives that support the Bureau’s integrated sales and marketing programs. He also directs the Bureau’s new strategic partnership initiative. Previously, Chris served as Director of Travel Advertising for The New Yorker Magazine, where he developed marketing partnerships with international hotel chains, tourism organizations, airlines and attractions. With 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, he has held senior management positions with Sonesta Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Westin Hotels & Resorts. A frequent speaker at industry events, Chris has also served on or chaired numerous meeting and travel industry boards, including his current service with the Association of Travel Marketing Executives. He received his Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) designation from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in 1984.

Brian Boyle

Co-Founder, Issue Media Group

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A founding partner in Issue Media Group, Brian is currently obsessed with how new media can be leveraged to improve urban narrative. As part of this obsession, Model D Media (www.modeldmedia.com) was launched in June of 2005 with a unique public / private partnership to "tell the new Detroit story" while increasing demand for Detroit. In addition to Model D, Issue Media Group operates sites in Pittsburgh (www.popcitymedia.com) and Grand Rapids (www.rapidgrowthmedia.com) as well as Southeast Michigan's new economy publication, MetroMode (www.metromodemedia.com) Brian is also currently serving as Co-Chair of Detroit Renaissance’s Road Map to Renaissance Creative Sector Economic Growth Strategy and has been a featured public speaker at Crain's Detroit Business new media event, the Detroit Internet Expo, IBM's e-commerce forum and Michigan Heritage Tourism Conference.

Tavi Fulkerson

President, The Fulkerson Group

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With 29 years experience in major event marketing, sponsorship sales and public relations, Tavi Fulkerson has sold, negotiated and serviced hundreds of sponsorship contracts for the leading industry, sports and civic events held in Detroit. These events include the The North American International Auto Show (under contract 1993 – present), the Detroit, Belle Isle Grand Prix (2007 – present), Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee (under contract 2003 – 2006), the University Musical Society (2005 – 2006) and The Parade Company, producers of America’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Target Fireworks (under contract 1996 – present). The Fulkerson Group also provided sponsorship representation to the Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup Hydroplane Races from 1989-1998. Fulkerson’s sponsorship contacts include marketing executives and sponsorship decision makers in industries ranging from the world’s leading automakers, Tier 1 automotive suppliers, retailers, advertising agencies, financial services providers, Internet, fast food and entertainment companies.

Michael Hinshaw

Founder and Managing Partner, MCorp

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MCorp, a strategic brand and marketing consultancy headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, works with corporations ranging from the Fortune 100 to venture-funded start-ups to measure and improve the quality and consistency of brand delivery and customer experiences. Mr. Hinshaw has enjoyed a rich career building and growing businesses in executive leadership and consulting roles. He has been recognized for his strategic, business and creative accomplishments by the Gartner Group, Jupiter, the Direct Marketing Association, and many other organizations and publications. Previously an adjunct Professor of Marketing for undergraduate and graduate level marketing courses at Golden Gate University, Mr. Hinshaw regularly speaks at industry conferences, and has lectured on entrepreneurship at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Carol Kendra

Chief Marketing Officer, The Henry Ford

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Carol Kendra is responsible for directing all marketing and sales strategies for Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Benson Ford Research Center. She also directs the day-to-day operations of all Group and Events Sales, Creative Services, Sponsorship, Membership, Hotel & Tourism Partnerships and Retail Product Development for The Henry Ford. Since joining the institution in 1999, Carol has been instrumental in brand-building efforts to position The Henry Ford as a multi-venue, multi-day national destination. She is also currently involved in creating a unique secondary branding strategy as well as working on major web and national retail sales initiatives. Carol lends her skills to growing tourism in the “D” by being active on several committees promoting regional tourism including the Motorcities National Heritage Area, Detroit Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Ann Arbor to Detroit Entertainment Corridor Rail Project.

Mary Kramer

Publisher, Crain's Detroit Business

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Mary Kramer was born in Grand Rapids and attended Catholic schools there. A summer internship led her to her first full-time reporting job at The Grand Rapids Press. She completed college by attending night classes at Grand Valley State University. She worked for daily newspapers for 16 years before joining Crain's Detroit Business in April 1989. Crain's, which was launched in February 1985, covers business news in the five-county metropolitan Detroit area. Circulation is 34,000, with an estimated readership of nearly 130,000 each week. In 1991, she was named associate publisher, reporting directly to Crain Communications Chairman, Keith Crain In May 1994, Mary was named a vice president of Crain Communications Inc. and in May 2005 was named publisher. In 2001, she was the first woman elected as an officer of the historic Detroit Athletic Club and in 2003 became the first woman president of the DAC.

Matthew Kruchko

Sr. Associate, Applied Storytelling

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Matthew Kruchko is Senior Associate with Applied Storytelling, a leading independent brand and name consultant, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Detroit. Applied Storytelling’s distinctive approach to brand storytelling has helped to launch, reposition and revitalize numerous corporate and product brands. Matthew’s experience includes initiatives for many Fortune 500 brands as well as noteworthy consumer and B2B brands in many sectors. Most recently, he has played a key role in strategic-level initiatives for Nationwide Insurance, The Henry Ford, Qualcomm, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau and the North American International Auto Show. With a deep brand development and marketing background, Matthew is responsible for driving innovative brand communications programs, making sure that client objectives are fully realized.

Eric La Brecque

Principal, Applied Storytelling

Over the past 15 years, Eric La Brecque has pursued an approach to brand communications that combines storytelling techniques from the world’s great narrative traditions with an ongoing study of marketplace dynamics. Viewing brand development as equal parts business discipline and art form, he and his teams have successfully addressed complex communications challenges for everything from cities and resort destinations to skin care products and communications technologies. In addition to helping clients to achieve their business objectives through helping to strengthen their connection with their audiences, he is dedicated to advancing brand practice through the ongoing development and refinement of tools and methods.

Cynthia J. Pasky

President & CEO Strategic Staffing Solutions

Cynthia J. Pasky is the founder, president and CEO of Detroit-based Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3), a provider of information technology consulting services, customized solutions, vendor management programs and an executive search program. Pasky founded S3 in 1990 with three employees and has grown it to a company with 21 offices and more than 1,600 employees in 20 cities in the U.S. and Europe. The company has posted 17 consecutive years of growth, with 2006 revenues of $141 million. S3 recently was named one of the top 25 WBE's in the country by Women's Enterprise USA Magazine. S3 also has been recognized as one of the "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), who also recognized S3 as the "Best of the Best" in the Top 10 Elite category in 2004. S3 also was named one of metro Detroit's "Best Places to Work" by Crain's Detroit Business in 1999, 2001, and 2003, and for nine years was recognized as one of Detroit's "Future 50" by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Charles Pugh

Anchor / Reporter Fox 2 News

Charles Pugh is a reporter and anchor for FOX 2. He's also an investigative reporter for the award-winning FOX 2 Problem Solver unit, and co-anchors FOX 2 News Weekend with Deena Centofanti. He joined the news team in June of 1999. Pugh is a visiting faculty member with the Poynter Institute in Florida, a school for professional journalists. Firmly committed to the concept of "giving back" to his community, Pugh spends much of his personal time sharing his expertise and experiences with local youth. He frequently participates with educational programs at area schools, universities and community organizations, and gives motivational speeches, most recently as a participant, spokesperson and supporter of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative of the U. S. Attorney's office. Additionally, Pugh both personally and professionally supports the United Negro College Fund, and many other local educational efforts. While he worked at WAVY, he also hosted a teen talk show to help teens deal with current issues and reported for an Emmy winning documentary about teens and guns. Pugh is a Detroit native.

Jim Townsend

Executive Director, TEDC

In nearly two decades in the public and private sectors, Jim Townsend has championed public policies and innovative business strategies designed to revitalize and reinvent urban areas and regional economies. Since 2004 Jim has served as Executive Director of the Tourism Economic Development Council (TEDC), an arm of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau that guides implementation of the region's Tourism Vision - a 10-year strategy for increasing metro Detroit's tourism economy by $3 billion per year. Prior to leading the TEDC, Jim was the founding Executive Director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a consortium of 30 inner ring suburbs in metro Detroit with a combined population of 1 million. Jim now serves on the MSA's Board of Directors.