The Mobility Table

John McElroy sat down with Jeannine and Bernard at The Mobility Table to discuss the ways the Detroit region mobility ecosystem can overcome global competition. The conversation explores the resources, capabilities and knowledge that sets the Detroit region apart and will drive innovation in the future.John is an influential journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur, having created Autoline an outlet dedicated to the reporting, discussion and dissection of the automotive industry and its products. He is an automotive expert, sharing his insights through radio segments, blogs and appearances on major outlets across the country.

Brandon Bordenkircher joined Jeannine and Bernard at The Mobility Table to discuss the Detroit region’s multimodal capabilities. The conversation explored the role of allies, including trusted connectors, organizations, and individuals who advocate for electrification, as well as the importance of consumers in supporting its growth.Brandon’s work at EVNoire is focused on an organization called Electrifying Michigan. Prior to his position at EVNoire he has inhabited roles across advocacy, public policy, and operations including Deputy Program Director for Midwest Government Affairs at Airbnb and a Lobbyist at Daimler. He also co-founded 12 Tone Matrix, pioneering AI-driven text analysis.

Bret Scott sat down with Jeannine and Bernard at The Mobility Table to discuss getting connected to resources in the mobility industry. They explored the challenges in navigating the mobility industry’s assets and explored the way WSU Open acts as a connector for mobility stakeholders to navigate the knowledge and support available in the Detroit region’s advanced mobility ecosystem.Bret Scott is the Director of WSU Open at Wayne State University. He is also the Mayor of Pleasant Ridge, a position he has held since 2019. Prior to his position at Wayne State, he worked in roles across the automotive industry and at mobility-related startups.

Sarah Gregory took a seat at The Mobility Table next to Jeannine and Bernard to discuss the Detroit region’s mobility workforce. Together they covered: adapting the region’s talent to emerging technologies and needs, the benefits of being a strong learner, stackable credentials and how the ecosystem approaches connecting employers with the talent in the Detroit region.Sarah Gregory is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Talent at the Detroit Regional Partnership. She previously served as Director of Talent Development at Workforce Intelligence Network.

Craig Leek joined Jeannine and Bernard at The Mobility Table to discuss how companies are retooling and adapting to the growing shift towards electrification across the mobility industry, along with the limitations, challenges and successes that come with the transition. Craig Leek is the Executive Director of Operations for Voltava (formerly Detroit Manufacturing Systems), where he oversees Ford operations. Craig has more than 40 years of experience in the automotive sector, including over three decades at Ford.

Meaghan Kennedy came to the table to discuss GEM’s social network analysis research – completed alongside Orange Sparkle Ball – and what the results mean for the future of the Detroit region and other mobility hubs.Meaghan Kennedy is the founder of an innovation and impact-focused company, Orange Sparkle Ball (OSB) – which works to move organizations’ initiatives forward through research, technology, human-centered design and organizational goals. Before founding OSB, she worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an epidemiologist.

Justine Johnson joined Jeannine and Bernard at The Mobility Table to discuss the definition of mobility and the ways innovation is inspired, driven, and achieved within the Detroit region and the state of Michigan.Justine is the Chief Mobility Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), where she leads state-wide electrification efforts. She has more than 10 years of experience in external affairs, strategy, government, and community relations, having worked for organizations including Ford Motor Company, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and the California Mobility Center.

Maureen Donohue Krauss is the first guest to take a seat at the table, joining Jeannine and Bernard in discussing the way the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), a signature program of the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), first came together as an initiative and its ongoing impact on the Detroit region’s advanced mobility industry.Maureen is the President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership, an organization which serves as the point of contact for business as well as marketing the region to out-of-state and international companies. She has over 30 years of leadership in economic development, non-profit and government work.

Welcome to the Mobility Table! Jeannine and Bernard are excited to have you. Take a seat, and tune in to conversations about the people, technologies, and organizations shaping the advanced mobility industry.This podcast is powered by the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), which works to create a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced-mobility industry in the 11-county Detroit Region.