Corporate Leadership and Sustainability Summit (CLASS)

hands CLASS held on October 23rd and 24th, 2008 at the Hagerty Center, Traverse City, Michigan.

CLASS provided an opportunity for business leaders (both for-profit and non-profit), managers and social entrepreneurs to learn practical methods of turning good ideas and intentions into deliverable solutions while supporting corporate values and the greater good.

CLASS was timely and relevant to business leaders and managers assuming role as bridge-builders; in the search of solutions to global economic, social and environmental challenges. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how sustainable business practices impact the current and future generations.

This excellent summit was co-sponsored by:

The Traverse City Chamber of Commerce

Northwestern Michigan College

Utopia Foundation

CLASS Feedback from participants:

What did you like most about the 2008 Class Summit?

“Quality and diversity of topic were excellent”
“I appreciate the opportunity to hear presentations from nationally renowned speakers without the travel expense.”
“That we are having the “conversation”"
“I found the speakers presentations to be quite thought provoking”
“Once a year it is healthy to drop our day to day activities and ponder the future in a productive setting. This Summit could be that opportunity.”
“I came back to work with some great ideas on implementing changes in our organization.”

National and International Leaders

James Hunter: Consultant/Trainer in Servant Leadership. Author of The Servant;A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership. 2,000,000 copies sold.

Dominique Jaurola
Hunome, Australia, Founder and CEO. Consultant, Author: Standing in the Future.

Chris Laszio, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Sustainable Value Partners, Inc., consultant to Fortune 500 Companies. Author: Sustainable Value: Doing well, by doing good.

Matthew Neagle
Google, Community Affairs Lead. Helping companies through the power of Google.

Therese Rowley, Ph.D.
President, Accelerated Alignment. Consultant and Trainer.

Evan Thomas, Ph.D. Candidate
Aerospace Engineer NASA, Engineers Without Borders

Tim Skubick
Moderator
Author, journalist and anchor for Off The Record, national broadcast. Does Michigan Have a Future? Does Leadership Matter?

Marilyn Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
CLASS Program Director
President and Owner Common Ground Solutions, LLC. Organizational Consulting, Executive Coaching and Training.

Co-Sponsor, Chamber of Commerce, President:

“Leadership development is one of the Chamber’s three priorities and is
central to the other two as it fulfills its purpose to grow business and
build community in its five-county region. The summit is part of the
Chamber’s commitment to nurture and be a collaborative partner in
life-long learning for leaders and entrepreneurs. On behalf of its more
than 2700 business members, the Chamber is pleased to be a partner for
this important event.” – Doug Luciani, President & CEO, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce

Co-sponsor: Northwestern Michigan College, President

“Since its founding in 1951, Northwestern Michigan College has provided quality, affordable access to higher education for learners of all ages and backgrounds. NMC is integrally woven into the economic, social and cultural fabric of the region, providing leadership and support for key initiatives that shape our communities and prepare our learners for rich and meaningful lives. Learning is at the center of all we strive to achieve. It is the foundation upon which an enlightened citizenry and a dynamic community are built and is a lifelong process in which we are all engaged. We are pleased to be a partner in this important leadership learning summit.” – Timothy J. Nelson, President, Northwestern Michigan College