2009 Featured Speakers

John Hope Bryant -
Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE

On February 1st, 2009, in the midst of the worst global economic crisis in recent history, thought leader John Hope Bryant was chosen to speak at the closing session for the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland, on the subject of “dignity for all.”

John Hope Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant’s non-profit work throughout the United States, through Operation HOPE, his global non-profit work led by HOPE Global Initiatives, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in “thought leadership.”

On January 22nd, 2008, Mr. Bryant was appointed by then President George W. Bush as vice-chairman of the bi-partisan U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. Vice chairman until January, 2010, Mr. Bryant proudly now serves the historic presidency of the Honorable Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States. In this role Mr. Bryant also serves as chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President’s Council. Seeing this crisis in global dimensions, Mr. Bryant also serves on the Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum, as an advisor on financial literacy and financial empowerment.

Mr. Bryant is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization, now operating in 68 U.S. communities and South Africa, having raised more than $500 million from the private sector to empower the poor.

Read Mr. Bryant's complete bio...

For more information, please visit www.johnhopebryant.com

Keith Molin - MSHDA Executive Director

Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) brings a vision of revitalization to the Authority. Mr. Molin has served as Interim Director since April of 2008 and was officially appointed by the MSHDA Board of Directors on September 24, 2008.

His vision for a 21st century MSHDA centers around ideas to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents by focusing on providing safe and affordable housing through homeownership and rental programs; ending homelessness; and revitalizing neighborhoods and downtowns through urban development initiatives – creating vibrant communities throughout Michigan.

As former director of the Michigan Departments of Labor and Commerce under Governor William G. Milliken, he is no stranger to state government. He also served at one time as a member of the MSHDA board during the Milliken administration.

Mr. Molin has been involved in public policy issues, including economic development, housing, and urban redevelopment – all invaluable experience to bring to the housing and community development industry in Michigan.

His leadership and management skills have been honed by a long career as Senior Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and most recently an interim in a similar position at the University of Pittsburgh.

Clarence Page - Pulitzer Prize-Winning
Columnist and Journalist

A View from Washington: Page’s presentation offers an insiders look at the presidency, the Congress, and the press. Through his insightful observations and amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes this Washington insider will analyze and evaluate the 2008 elections and beyond. As one of the most respected and admired journalists in Washington, Clarence Page will offer his own unique perspective on the current political landscape.

Clarence Page, the 1989 Pulitzer Prize winner for Commentary, has been a columnist and a member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board since July 1984. His column is syndicated nationally by Tribune Media Services in close to 200 papers. He has been based in Washington, D.C. since May 1991.

Page is also a regular contributor of essays to The News Hour With Jim Lehrer and News and Notes with Ed Gordon on National Public Radio. He has hosted documentaries on the Public Broadcasting System and served as a regular panelist on national programs including ABC’s This Week and BET’s weekly Lead Story news panel program.

Page was a reporter and assistant city editor for the Chicago Tribune from 1969 to 1980. He joined WBBM-TV in August 1980 as director of the Community Affairs Department and worked as a reporter and planning editor at the station from August 1982 to July 1984.

Page’s awards include a 1980 Illinois UPI awards for community service for an investigative series titled “The Black Tax” and the Edward Scott Beck Award for overseas reporting of a 1976 series on the changing politics of Southern Africa.

Page also participated in a 1972 Chicago Tribune Task Force series on vote fraud which won the Pulitzer Prize. He has received public service awards from the Illinois and Wisconsin chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union for his columns educating readers on constitutional rights. Page is on the board of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Economist Panel

New solutions for new times are reflective of the problems facing the Michigan economy today. Kicking off the conference will be an intriguing and frank conversation regarding the challenges facing the Michigan economy today, and what these challenges mean for those of us involved with housing, homelessness, and community economic development. Conference planners have brought together a dynamic panel of economic experts Robert J. Klein, Charles Ballard and Patrick Anderson. The panel will answer questions posed by the moderator, former Chief of Staff for Governor Blanchard Richard T. Cole.

• Moderator Richard T. Cole, PhD, is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The department administers Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctoral Degree programs for more than 1000 students, and operates international programs in Novi, Michigan, Rome, Italy and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Cole rejoined the faculty of MSU in March 2006 after leaving in 1990.
• Panelist Robert J. Kleine was appointed Michigan’s 43rd State Treasurer by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, starting April 9, 2006. As Treasurer, Mr. Kleine oversees the collection, investment, and disbursement of all state monies. In addition, the Treasurer administers major tax laws, safeguards the credit of the state, and distributes revenue sharing monies to local units of government.
• Panelist Charles Ballard has been on the Economics faculty at Michigan State University since 1983, when he received his Ph.D. from Stanford University. In 2007, he became Director of the State of the State Survey in MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Also in 2007, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award in MSU’s College of Social Science. He has served as a consultant with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Health & Human Services, and Treasury, and with research institutes in Australia, Denmark, and Finland. His books include Michigan at the Millennium and Michigan’s Economic Future.
• Panelist Patrick L. Anderson is Principal and CEO for the Anderson Economic Group LLC. He founded the consulting firm of Anderson Economic Group in 1996, and serves as a Principal and Chief Executive Officer in the company. In this role he has successfully directed projects for state governments, cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and corporations throughout the United States.