Michigan Business Beat on the Road | Shelley Lowe, MI College Access Network at MW!A Conference

Originally uploaded September 22, reloaded October 11th. Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI. Shelley's interview was postponed as the luncheon program ran long so they recorded September 15th The original discussion was to be held on day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference. In this audio Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Shelley Lowe, Director of Educated Workforce Strategy, MCAN, (Michigan College Access Network) Lansing, MI They discuss the services, and challenges facing MCAN while assisting the talent pipeline, along with what she experiencedf with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference. Tell us about your role with their services? Last week you were on hand for the Michigan Works! Association annual conference, what role did you play with this event? Beyond the panel what were your big takaways from the conference? Does MCAN operate synergistically with the MW!A or its chapters during the rest of the year? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore solutions for Michigan’s most pressing talent and employment challenges. The conference opened Sunday with workshops, the Association’s annual meeting, and a networking reception at the Gilmore Car Museum, providing an engaging start for attendees to connect with peers and partners. On Monday, the agenda featured keynote presentations from Sharon Gai and Dr. Christopher Laney, who offered insights into global workforce trends, leadership, and the future of employment. Attendees engaged in a variety of workshops covering workforce readiness, training strategies, and employer engagement. The Exhibit Hall was a focal point for building connections between businesses, service providers, and Michigan Works! agencies, (and also where MBN recorded its interviews from). While networking opportunities such as the Dessert Break & Headshot Lounge further fostered collaboration. The conference concluded Tuesday with workshops and a dynamic closing keynote from Dr. Sherene McHenry, emphasizing leadership, communication, and strategies to strengthen Michigan’s workforce ecosystem. An invitation-only Executive Breakfast also gave business and policy leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas in a more focused setting. Across the three days, the conference highlighted the critical role of employment in economic development. Employers learned about the tangible costs of workforce gaps, explored innovative approaches to upskilling, and built partnerships to address talent shortages. The emphasis on collaboration positioned Michigan Works! as a vital connector between business needs and workforce solutions. By drawing together leaders from across the state, the 2025 Annual Conference underscored Michigan’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient economy through workforce innovation, business engagement, and talent development.