Economic Vitality Breakfast

Description

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Southfield Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee proudly presents the 2026 Economic Vitality Breakfast, the official kickoff of the Chamber’s annual Vitality Breakfast Series. This convening will bring together business, civic, nonprofit, and institutional leaders for a timely conversation about how infrastructure decisions, economic growth, and community well-being intersect—and how women leaders are shaping that future.

This year’s program is intentionally structured to center community impact and leadership first, followed by a broader systems-level perspective.

The breakfast will open with a Women in Leadership Panel featuring leaders from government, education, behavioral health, and media, examining how large-scale economic and infrastructure decisions show up in real communities.

Panelists include:

Theresa Rich, Mayor, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Dr. Patricia Chatman, Dean of Entrepreneurship, Henry Ford College

Laura Huot, Executive Director, The Guidance Center

Cheryl Parks Ajamu, CEO, The Ajamu Group

Together, the panel will explore how decisions around growth, cost, services, and development affect families, entrepreneurs, workforce stability, and community trust—and what responsible leadership looks like at the local and institutional level.

Following the panel, the program will feature keynote remarks from Erica Schlenker, Director of Community Affairs at DTE Energy. Erica will address critical topics shaping Southeast Michigan’s economic landscape, including increased energy demand, data centers, utility costs, and the role of energy infrastructure in supporting long-term economic vitality. Her remarks will provide context on how infrastructure planning, investment, and community engagement factor into building stable and resilient regions.

This conversation is especially timely as communities navigate rapid technological change, rising costs, and heightened expectations for transparency and accountability. By bringing together diverse women leaders across sectors, this breakfast creates space for informed dialogue that acknowledges complexity while focusing on solutions and collaboration.