Introduction by Cliff Lampe, UMSI associate dean for academic affairs

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Ben Marchionna, Michigan’s first-ever chief innovation ecosystem officer, will join the University of Michigan School of Information community for an intimate evening discussing groundbreaking strategies for attracting and retaining talent in Michigan.

Michigan's industrial and economic conditions play a critical role in attracting and retaining talent within the state. The automotive industry has historically anchored Michigan's economy. This industrial backbone fostered a skilled workforce, robust supply chains and extensive infrastructure. In recent years, Michigan has further diversified its economic portfolio by investing heavily in technology, healthcare and renewable energy sectors, further broadening job opportunities.

However, attracting and retaining talent in Michigan has been challenging due to economic perceptions tied to declining manufacturing industries, a trend of "brain drain," and the urban-rural divide in job opportunities and amenities. Marchionna will address how UMSI students can learn about and tackle these challenges while leveraging the state's advantages to help Michigan evolve as a prime destination for a diverse and dynamic workforce.

This keynote talk is part of UMSI's 2024-25 theme year, Future of Work. This year’s theme embodies UMSI’s commitment to exploring the intersection of technology and society in the rapidly evolving landscape of the modern workplace. 

Speaker:

Ben Marchionna is a forward-thinking tech, strategy and operations leader with a proven history of building collaborative, entrepreneurial-minded teams to tackle the world’s toughest innovation challenges. As Michigan’s first-ever chief innovation ecosystem officer, he oversees and directs the holistic development, growth and sustainability of the rapidly growing Michigan innovation economy. In this role, he is responsible for building connections between startups, investors, universities, corporations and government entities. Marchionna's career began with a passion for aerospace, nurtured at the University of Michigan, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He holds an an M.S. in product development engineering from the University of Southern California. He has held leadership roles at companies like SkySpecs, an Ann Arbor-based clean energy startup, and Electra, where he worked on sustainable aviation technologies. He has been recognized for his contributions to both industry and academia, most recently as a 2024 Alumni Merit Award recipient from U-M's Department of Aerospace Engineering.

The 2024 Future of Work keynote is funded by the Franklin Innovator Residency Fund. 

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of work and talent management in Michigan from a leader who has consistently driven innovation across high-tech industries. Marchionna’s talk will be a cornerstone of the UMSI Future of Work Case Study Competition, offering a glimpse into the strategies that will shape the workforce of tomorrow.