Young Leader Program

To create platforms for professional and personal growth, connectivity, and service for our regional young leader community.

A Young Leader (YL) membership has so much to offer in addition to regular member benefits. YLs have exclusive access to:   

Learn more about membership!

Questions? Email Joanie Wiggins at jwiggins@econclub.org 

CEO SERIES MEETING

This speaker series offers exclusive access to some of the region’s most prominent business leaders and CEOs and is open exclusively to DEC Young Leader (YL) members.

The CEO Series meetings are often held at unique locations and attendance is capped at 50 in order to maintain an intimate dialogue between attendees and the featured speaker.

Previous CEO Series Meetings:

  • Suzy Siegle @ Walsh College
  • Sandy K. Baruah @ Detroit Regional Chamber
  • David Lewis @ Jefferson East, Inc. Neighborhood Resource Hub
  • Mary Culler & Carolina Pluszczynski @ The Book Depository
  • Michael Bickers @ The Marygrove Conservancy
  • Jeff Donofrio @ MotorCity Casino Hotel, Iridescence – 16th Floor
  • Mark Douglas @ Detroit Golf Club
  • The Honorable Jocelyn Benson @ BasBlue

Check out our Speaker Archive for more meeting photos.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS

DEC Young Leaders (YL) are encouraged to sharpen their professional skills and build their member network with exclusive Professional Development Seminars throughout the year.

Previous Professional Development Topics:

  • How to Engage in Healthy Conflict
  • Take Command
  • The Future of Collaboration and the Leader’s Role in Societal Change
  • Creating and Sustaining a Positive Work Life
  • Empower Your Team Through Innovation Culture
  • Leading with a Growth Mindset
  • Achieve More with Less Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout
  • Mental and Emotional Wellness
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Women in Leadership Panel
  • Own, Control and Protect Your Time

NETWORKING

While networking happens at every DEC event, Young Leader members have access to exclusive networking-focused social events throughout the year.

Previous Networking Events:

  • Putt-Putt @ Royal Oak Golf Center
  • Bowling @ Bowlero, Royal Oak
  • River Cruise @ Freedom Boat Club, Harrison Township
  • Go-Karting @ Full Throttle Adrenaline Park, Novi
  • United Shores Professional Baseball Game @ Jimmy John’s Field, Utica
  • Topgolf @ Auburn Hills
  • Holiday Mix & Mingle @ Great Lakes Culinary Center, Southfield
  • A Healthy Tailgate Demonstration Kitchen @ Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Southfield
  • Detroit Axe @Ferndale
  • Home Alone @ The DSO, Detroit
  • Annual Detroit Tigers Game @ Comerica Park, Detroit
  • Sunset Cruise on the Detroit River @ Detroit Port Authority, Detroit
  • Holiday Mix & Mingle @ Detroit Beer Company, Detroit   

Volunteer Opportunties

DEC Young Leaders (YL) have many unique volunteer opportunities for service.

For more information or to become a volunteer, please email Joanie Wiggins at jwiggins@econclub.org.

Career Readiness Academy (CRA): YLs can volunteer to mentor high school students in the DEC’s Career Readiness Academy.

CRA is a six-month program where teams of DEC Young Leaders provide career mentorship to the same students at Southeast Michigan high schools.

“Day of” Volunteer: YLs can volunteer to assist DEC staff with set-up, registration, directing guests, etc. at regular DEC meetings.

Volunteers receive a complimentary ticket to the meeting.

DEC Young Leaders (YL) can participate in the annual YL Conference, which is held in the fall in Detroit and aims to develop, inspire, and connect.

This one-day professional development conference created and programmed by YLs, allows attendees to:

  • Develop: Hear powerful keynotes and breakout sessions delivered by successful C-suite executives and civic leaders.
  • Inspire: Nourish and motivate the leadership skills within yourself as you learn new and effective ways for personal development.
  • Connect: Over 400 YL’s are waiting to expand and strengthen their networks by meeting their YL peers who are also eager to learn and expand their networks together.

This is one conference you won’t want to miss!

THIS YEARS CONFERENCE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL

NEXT YOUNG LEADER Meeting
Tuesday, October 08, 2024
AAM World HQ

SOLD OUT - Exclusively for DEC Young Leader Members

YOUNG LEADER BOARD

YL BOARD PURPOSE

The purpose is to support the Detroit Economic Club’s initiatives by engaging professionals under 40 years of age through educational events that offer Young Leaders exposure to the insight and expertise of the DEC’s distinguished members and engaging Young Leaders in vital discussions with the region’s prominent leaders and other professionals, and conducting such other activities to support and further the goals and purposes of the DEC.

YL BOARD CHAIR

ANGIE PERKINS

Associate Relationship Manager, AVP PNC Financial Services Group

YL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NAME

COMPANY

Brooke Adams

Kirsten Adgate

Blake Allen

Megan Bowles

Marcus Brooks

Kayla Dafoe

Nick Daniels

Drew Dobbs

Brad Ekonen

Autumn Hegner

Dorian Hooker

Curtis Iorio

Almir Karamov

Jack Kronner

John Laman

Charley Marcuse

Dan Murray

Emily Niewolak

Mariam Ouazar

Angie Perkins

Megan Robinson

Derek Shinska

Cezara Siotean

Aaron Sohaski

Arin Steinhauser

Madeline Wyatt

Genna Young

YL BOARD ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

  • Must be a DEC Young Leader Member for a minimum of 1 year and current on DEC membership dues (YLs must be under the age of 40)
  • Serve as a volunteer on a Career Readiness Academy Team and/or serve as a frequent “day-of” volunteer for regular DEC meetings (minimum of 1 year)
  • Serve as a volunteer for DEC YL Conference Planning Committee (by invitation only)
  • Attend and support DEC YL programming 

YL BOARD COMMITMENT

  • Attend 75% of DEC YL board meetings to remain in good standing (2-3 meetings per calendar year)
  • Join and actively participate in one of the following subcommittees:
    • Professional Development
    • Membership/Marketing
    • Networking
    • Career Readiness Academy
    • Governance and Nominations
  • Maintain an active YL membership
  • Attend and support DEC YL programming