Leadership Michigan, a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, kicks off its 2001 program in downtown Traverse City April 19 and 20 at the Park Place Hotel. Thirty diverse leaders from corporate, non-profit, and government organizations from around the state will begin their eight-month leadership journey in one of Michigan's largest tourism destinations.

The first session features presentations by historian Dr. JoEllen Vinyard of Eastern Michigan University and national futurist Ed Barlow. "The key to leadership in the 21st century is alignment," stated Barlow, President of Creating the Future, Inc. "Staying in alignment with the world will be characterized by complexity, diversity and pace of change. Leadership Michigan is a program that helps participants develop this leadership capacity."

Leadership Michigan will also tour Traverse City's flourishing downtown area and meet with Bryan Crough of the Downtown Development Authority.

Leadership Michigan is a non-profit leadership development program designed for current and emerging leaders to encounter first-hand the critical issues facing Michigan. The program, instituted in 1988 by the Michigan Chamber Foundation, offers personal and professional growth opportunities for participants through experiential learning and leadership development components.

Leadership Michigan features eight sessions at some of Michigan's largest cities between April and December:

  *  April 19 & 20 Orientation / Traverse City
  *  May 17 Government / Lansing
  *  June 21 & 22 Criminal Justice / Jackson
  *  July 12 & 13 Environment / Marquette
  *  September 20 & 21 Education / Kalamazoo
  *  October 11 Health Care / Ann Arbor
  *  November 15 & 16 Economy / Grand Rapids
  *  December 6 & 7 Media / Detroit

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

Contact: Susan Combs, Executive Director of Leadership Michigan Program,
517-371-7641

Website: http://www.michamber.com/