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The 10th Annual Young Leader Conference is a must-attend professional development opportunity for those under the age of 40. This one-day conference is designed by Young Leaders (YL) exclusively for Young Leaders, focusing on the theme of Using the Past to Drive the Future.
8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
(8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Complimentary Headshots)
9:00 a.m. Powerful Keynotes, Impactful Breakout Sessions, Networking, and Lunch
(12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Non-Profit Village)
4:00 p.m. Afterglow
6:00 p.m. Adjourn
* Please bring business cards to enter giveaways.
Questions? Please contact Joanie Wiggins at jwiggins@econclub.org.
SESSION TITLE: The Importance of Building Relationships
We will discuss the Importance of Building Relationships. We have to manage many different relationships in our work life:
In this session, we will share some basic principles for building relationships as well as some tips and tricks for best approaching each category of relationship. We will identify the common barriers to building relationships and how to overcome these issues. The discussion will include real-life relatable examples so the participants can get a real feel for what success (and mistakes) look like. We will close the session with some easy ways to get started and keep the momentum going! The result will be a more effective work life with less stress and more impactful conversations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Session Title: Young Leader Town Hall with State of Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe
This opening session will feature a moderated conversation between Hilary and a panel of DEC Young Leaders in a town hall format. Audience members will also engage in the discussion using text polls, which will help inform the state what’s on young professional’s minds as policy and strategies are being shaped to retain and attract talent.
Roop Raj
Anchor/Reporter
FOX 2 Detroit
SESSION TITLE: Generative AI – what it means now and in the future
There is a lot of buzz around generative AI in every industry. Most companies are actively experimenting with the technology to try to understand it and how it will help their business. There are a lot of mixed reviews about its business value and the current cost to get into the market.
This session will be real talk about what is working, what is not working and why certain things work so much better than others. It will include industry perspectives along with personal ideas for things that the audience can be doing now to get comfortable with this new normal and embrace it in the future.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
SESSION TITLE: Accountability Shared = Impact Squared
Nearly every nonprofit organization believes the people they serve deserve the highest levels of excellence they can possibly give them. However, many are so focused on serving those outwardly, they don’t spend enough time, talent, and energy on their inward, internal systems that would actually ensure greater impact and greater reach. As a result, they aren’t producing the level of impact they know they’re capable of.
The Detroit-based nonprofit Life Remodeled was founded in 2010, and they help create neighborhood revitalization that lasts. They describe their first four years “quite messy,” but they turned the corner when they learned from their past and made essential internal organizational changes in order to move into a far more impactful future. Over the next ten years, they invested $51 million into Detroit neighborhoods, renovated four school buildings, mobilized 82,000 volunteers, and beautified over 2,300 city blocks.
In this session you will learn the key components of how they did it, and how these practices can lead to exponential impact in nearly every company and nonprofit in Metro Detroit.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
SESSION TITLE: Burnout Buster: The Joy of Being Spontaneous
We have good news for depleted leaders in the trenches: Having more fun can combat burnout. Seriously, this is about having more fun? Yes, because this laughter-filled presentation will motivate you to find the balance of playing by the rules while enjoying an occasional side trip into the great unknown, busting through burnout in the process.
Through her photo-filled stories of real, unplanned adventures, Joy Coach Robin gives you permission to play more. She’ll help you examine your comfort zones and show you how being more spontaneous brings joy – to you, your family, and your colleagues. Feel the freedom! You won’t believe the benefits.
You’ll be inspired to make more memories… and tell burnout goodbye. Find out why so many conference attendees have named this their favorite session.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
SESSION TITLE: Speed Networking
Get ready to supercharge your conference experience with our Speed Networking session! Imagine a whirlwind of mini-meetings where every few minutes, you’ll connect with a new face, exchange ideas, and discover opportunities. It’s like professional speed dating, but with a twist—you’re here to grow your network!
Whether you’re hunting for new collaborators, mentors, or just fresh perspectives, this is your chance to meet as many people as possible in a short amount of time. So, bring your business cards, your energy, and your elevator pitch—this is networking, turbocharged!
Black Leaders Detroit (BLD) is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering entrepreneurs and community leaders by providing financial support for diverse social and community impact projects operated and led by Detroiters of African descent.
BLD offers no-interest loans and grants to support the growth and sustainability of businesses. By providing these financial resources, we aim to create a more inclusive economy in Detroit, ensuring that businesses and organizations led by persons of African descent have the support they need to thrive.
DBG is a leading, free, out-of-school time program focused on student achievement and success. Success is measured not only by graduation rates and career milestones but also by transforming fixed, defeatist mindsets and committing to the pursuit of systemic change.
The organization takes a long-term approach to fostering change, building on student interests year after year through consistent, individualized support. DBG recognizes that this approach works only when the support system is willing to challenge and remove both conscious and subconscious narratives that perpetuate harmful cycles.
Focus: HOPE is a nationally renowned civil and human rights organization, and a trusted member of the community for over 55 years. Founded in 1968 by Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis, Focus: HOPE provides an intergenerational, holistic mix of services to disrupt the effects of racism, poverty, and other forms of social injustice in southeast Michigan for people at each stage of life.
Focus: HOPE was founded to unite the community at a critical time. We remain committed to living out our mission to overcome racism, poverty, and injustice – no matter what, serving over 59,000 community members each year. Focus: HOPE serves the community through three focus area – Food for Seniors, Workforce Development and Education, and Early Learning.
In 1990, roots were set down in the greater metro Detroit area, beginning the rescue of food surpluses from grocery stores, markets, restaurants, caterers, and more. The donated excess food was delivered free of charge to emergency food providers throughout the metro Detroit area. This effort has since expanded to include Forgotten Harvest Farms, where fresh food is grown for those in need.
All the rescued and produced food is delivered to metro Detroit families who are food-insecure and struggle to cover the cost of basic life necessities. This food helps bridge the income gap for tens of thousands of people, allowing them to secure essential items for themselves and their families.
Leader Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization providing people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel using a guide dog or a white cane. All services are FREE. For more information, call (888) 777-5332 or visit LeaderDog.org.
New Leaders Council (NLC) Detroit as part of the larger national organization, New Leaders Council, recruits proximate leaders who have the expertise, experience, and resilience to implement change, and provide the skills and network for them to make real progress. Over the past 15 years, nationally, the organization has trained over 10,000 alumni from 50 chapters across the country, creating an ecosystem of place-based, proximate leaders making collective impact in their communities.