Past Speakers

Special thanks to the hundreds of small business owners and experts who have shared their experience and expertise at Open City meetings since 2007. Past speakers include:


  • Jackie Victor, Avalon International Breads
  • Joel Walsh, Start-Up Nation
  • Olga Savic Stella, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
  • Dana Roach, Wayne State University Law School Legal Clinic
  • Yodit Mesfin, Michigan Women’s Marketplace
  • John Schoeniger, ShoreBank Enterprise
  • Todd Clarke, Chase Bank
  • David Morris, Oracle Capital Partners
  • Colin Hubbell, Hubbell Development Group
  • Peter Van Dyke, BergMuirhead & Associates
  • Amanda Musilli, Full Moon Agency
  • Amy Gill, Bizdom U
  • Ryan Cooley, O’Connor Realty/Slow’s Bar BQ
  • Paul Howard, Cliff Bell’s/The Bronx Bar
  • Powell Peabody, Sole Sisters
  • Lauren Thomas, Ladel’s Children’s Book Boutique
  • Adriel Thornton, FreshCorps
  • Janet Jones, Source Booksellers
  • Mary Kramer, Crain’s Detroit Business
  • Torya Blanchard, Good Girls Go to Paris Creperie
  • Greg Mudge, Mudgie’s
  • Kelli Kavanaugh, Wheelhouse Detroit
  • Karen Gage, Wheelhouse Detroit
  • Richard Ban, Urban Grounds
  • Lorenzo Thurman, Detroit Micro-Enterprise Fund
  • Kent Spencer, Wayne County One Stop
  • Meri Dembrow, MI-SBTDC
  • Susan Mosey, University Center Cultural Association
  • Michael Solaka, New Center Council
  • Dan Carmody, Eastern Market Corporation
  • Kathy Wendler, Southwest Detroit Business Association
  • Khalilah Burt Gaston, Downtown Detroit Partnership
  • Charlie Wollborg, Curve Detroit/Motor City Connect
  • Terry Bean, Networked Inc.
  • Christina Lovio-George, Lovio-George Inc.
  • Dave Zainea, The Majestic Theater Center
  • Jeanette Avilo, El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
  • Irwin Danto, Danto Furniture
  • Dave Muer, Blue Pointe Restaurant
  • Randal Charlton, TechTown
  • Mary King, Detroit Investment Fund
  • Greg Lenhoff, Leopold’s Books
  • Nate Faustyn, Burton Theatre
  • Joe Posch, Mezzanine & Hugh
  • Rachel Leggs, Rachel’s Place
  • Nancy Kaffer, Crain’s Detroit Business
  • Ed King, Wayne State University
  • Ingrid Ault, Think Local First
  • Mariah Cherem, Yelp.com
  • Tawyna Clark & John Hughes, TYCA Loyalty
  • Karla Henderson, City of Detroit, Buildings & Safety Engineering
  • Tim Tharpe, Grand Trunk Pub and Forans Deluxe Diners
  • PJ Ryder, PJ’s Lager House
  • Melinda Anderson, MeMe Design & Events
  • Emily Linn, City Bird
  • James Morris, DSE at Grand
  • Jen Williamsen, Curl Up & Dye
  • Greg Willerer, Brother Nature Produce
  • Matthew Naimi, Michigan Green Safe and Recycle Here
  • Paul Kado, Sunflower Market


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)