A Conversation on the Economy and Monetary Policy
2026-04-07 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
Ambassador
Rahm Emanuel

Former Mayor of Chicago

BIO

Ambassador Rahm Emanuel
Former Mayor of Chicago

Rahm I. Emanuel most recently served as the United States Ambassador to Japan. As Ambassador, Emanuel helped deepen the U.S.-Japan alliance, including support for Japan's increased defense spending and expanded military cooperation. He promoted Japan's leadership in Indo-Pacific key security initiatives and participated in the historic trilateral summit at Camp David that reaffirmed that cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Previously, Emanuel was the 55th Mayor of the City of Chicago, a position he held until May 2019. During that time, he made the critical choices necessary to secure Chicago’s future as a global capital.
As Mayor, Emanuel added four years to a student’s education. He increased the school day by 75 minutes and added more than 200 hours to the school year, marking the largest single increase in educational time by any city and taking Chicago from having the least educational time of any large school district in the country to being on par with its peers. He implemented universal pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten for every Chicago child, and made Chicago the first city in America to provide free community college.
The Mayor’s comprehensive public safety strategy focused on expanded prevention programs for at-risk youth, smarter policing strategies, and empowering parents and communities to reduce violence. The Ambassador made it a priority to bring global companies to the city, helping Chicago to lead the U.S. in corporate relocations and foreign direct investment for seven consecutive years. His administration invested in infrastructure, public transportation, open space, and cultural attractions. From the $8.5 billion O’Hare International Airport modernization program that is cementing Chicago’s status as a global leader in travel, tourism, and trade to the development of the iconic 1.25-mile Chicago Riverwalk, the City’s investments are creating thousands of good-paying jobs and making Chicago a better place to live, work, and play.
Prior to becoming Mayor, from November 2008 until October 2010, Emanuel served as President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff. In addition to being the President’s top advisor, Emanuel helped the Obama administration secure the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Before serving as Chief of Staff, Emanuel was elected four times as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 5th Congressional District (2002-2008). As Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Emanuel helped pass legislation to raise the minimum wage and authored the Great Lakes Restoration Act.
From 1993 to 1998, Ambassador Emanuel was a key member of President Bill Clinton’s administration, rising to serve as Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Politics. During this time, Emanuel served as a legislative liaison to Congress and spearheaded efforts to pass several of President Clinton’s signature achievements, most notably the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and the historic Balanced Budget Act, which created the Children’s Health Insurance Program that expanded health care coverage to 10 million children. Emanuel also worked closely with President Joseph R. Biden Jr., then a U.S. Senator, to shepherd the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 through Congress.
Emanuel graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981 and received a Master’s Degree in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985. He is married to Amy Rule, and they have three children.

VIEW BIO

About THIS MEETING

Exclusively for DEC Members and Accompanied Guests

In a wide-ranging conversation, Rahm will share his thoughts on fixing K-12 education, increasing the number of skilled trade workers, Congress, and geopolitics, including China and Russia.

PRESIDING OFFICER

The Honorable Debbie DingellCongresswomanMichigan’s 6th District

MODERATOR

Stephen HendersonFounder, Bridge DetroitHost, American Black Journal

PODCAST

FULL MEETING VIDEO

MEETING GALLERY

VENUE

The Masonic

500 Temple St

Detroit,

MI

48201

United States

DETAILS

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

11:00 am

-

1:30 pm

DEC Peer Group: Finance
2026-04-16 08:00 - 09:30 | WTW – Southfield, 26555 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI, 48076, United States

SOLD OUT | Gold Member Experience: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Delta Air Lines
2026-04-27 16:00 - 18:15 | DTW Airport | McNamara Terminal, 9000 Middlebelt Rd, Romulus, MI, 48174

Economic and Automotive Industry Outlook for the U.S. and Our Region
2026-04-30 11:00 - 13:30 | The Masonic, 500 Temple St, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States

DEC Peer Group: Business Development
2026-05-06 08:00 - 09:30 | WTW – Southfield, 26555 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI, 48076, United States

DEC Peer Group: Marketing/Communications
2026-05-13 08:00 - 09:30 | WTW – Southfield, 26555 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI, 48076, United States

DEC Peer Group: IT
2026-05-14 08:00 - 09:30 | WTW – Southfield, 26555 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI, 48076, United States

SAVE THE DATE | 2026 DEC Chair’s Dinner
2026-07-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Elevate at One Campus Martius, 1 Campus Martius Floor 16, Detroit, MI, 48226, United States

SAVE THE DATE | 2026 Young Leader Conference
2026-10-08 08:00 - 17:00 | MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit MI 48201, Michigan, 48226
