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Leadership Roundtables

Connecting Leaders of the Grand Traverse Region

Traverse Connect Leadership Roundtables bring together groups of 8 to 12 key decision-makers from the Grand Traverse region’s small businesses.

These decision-makers will meet 10 times over the course of a year for collaborative, growth-oriented roundtable sessions that support a trusting environment in which leaders can safely explore business and personal matters with the guidance of experienced facilitators.

Participation in the roundtables provides access to numerous benefits, including: 

  • Peer-to-peer learning through discussion, interaction, and the sharing of experiences that allow participants to learn from each other’s achievements and mistakes
  • Support through highly qualified facilitators, expert guest speakers, and connection to various small business resources

Option 1

Manager Level

Facilitated Manager-Level Roundtable: This facilitator-led roundtable, which involves 8 to 12 business managers, provides a confidential forum where participants can share challenges and experiences — and enhance their capabilities.

If you are looking to advance your career to the executive level, being properly prepared for the challenge is imperative. This is a confidential peer group environment that is not industry or role-specific and can offer a broader perspective, support, and insight. One of the things that make peer learning so appealing is the just-in-time, on-target feedback.

Format: Monthly meetings to be set on an agreed-upon date and time by the participants of each roundtable.

Member Profile: Mid-Level Manager, looking for a unique leadership development opportunity, willing to commit, engage, and contribute.

Guidelines: One member per industry, one member per company.

Cost: $2,000 per member

Click “Continue” to select which type of Leadership Roundtable you’re applying for.

Learn more and apply now
Option 2

C-Suite

Facilitated C-Suite/Key Executive Roundtable: This facilitator-led roundtable, which involves 8 to 12 business executives, provides a confidential forum where participants can share challenges and experiences — and enhance their capabilities.

This is a confidential peer group environment that is not industry or role-specific and can offer a broader perspective, support, and insight. One of the things that make peer learning so appealing is the just-in-time, on-target feedback. The format enhances leadership abilities and improves decision-making.

Format: Monthly meetings to be set on an agreed-upon date and time by the participants of each roundtable.

Member Profile: Executive Level – C-Suite or Key Executive, looking for a unique leadership development opportunity, willing to commit, engage, and contribute.

Guidelines: One member per industry, one member per company.

Cost: $2,000 per member

Click “Continue” to learn about the C-Suite Facilitated Roundtables.

Learn more and apply now

Option 3

Manufacturing

Facilitated Manufacturing Owner/Executive Roundtable: This facilitator-led roundtable, which involves 8 to 12 manufacturing business owners/executives, provides a confidential forum where participants can share challenges, experiences, and thinking around problems unique to
manufacturer owners/executives — and enhance their capabilities.

This is a confidential peer group environment that is not industry-specific and can offer a broader perspective, support, and insight. One of the things that make peer learning so appealing is the just-in-time, on-target feedback. The format enhances leadership abilities and improves decision-making.

Format: Monthly meetings to be set on an agreed-upon date and time by the participants of each roundtable.

Member Profile: Manufacturing Owner/Executive open to a unique
development opportunity, willing to commit, engage, contribute, and grow.

Leadership Roundtables are built around their ability to build relationships, generate ideas, and share profound, inspiring, impactful, and actionable insights to take back with you. All components are focused on the growth of the business owner/executive and their business.

Cost: $2,000 per member

Click “Continue” to learn about the Manufacturing Facilitated Roundtables.

Learn more and apply now
Option 4

Women's Leadership Roundtable

Facilitated Women’s Leadership Roundtable: This facilitator-led roundtable provides a confidential forum where participants can share challenges, experiences, and thinking around problems unique to small business and enhance their capabilities.

This confidential peer group environment welcomes all industries to create broader perspectives, support, and insight. One of the things that makes peer learning so appealing is the just-in-time, on-target feedback. The format enhances leadership and management abilities and improves decision-making and prioritization. Member Profile: Women small-business owners and executives (typically 10-250 people) open to a unique development opportunity, willing to commit, engage, contribute, and grow.

Format: Monthly meetings to be set on an agreed-upon date and time by the participants of each roundtable.

Cost: $2,000 per member. Scholarships are available through the Boundless Futures Foundation to cover 50% of participation fees. Learn more and apply through the Leadership Roundtables application.

Click “Continue” to learn about the Women’s Leadership Roundtable.

Learn more and apply now

From our Leadership Roundtable Participants

Nick Jacqmain, CEO

Springfield Commercial Roofing

Besides being in a Leadership Roundtable through Traverse Connect, I am also in a nationwide peer advisory group specific to my industry that I can go to with issues specific to my trade. While my peer group is valuable in its own right, working with my roundtable members that know how business is done in northern Michigan has been invaluable. I feel very fortunate to have this group of mentors and friends and will continue to participate.”

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Brian Lawson

Munson Healthcare

” Traverse Connect’s Leadership Roundtable provides an ideal environment in which to gain the perspective of local leaders from a variety of sectors. These candid conversations offer creative ideas and insights that help address challenges and foster growth as a leader.”

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Kevin Bozung, Co-Founder

Safety Net

I’ve been part of a roundtable group, through Traverse Connect, for around ten years.  Our group has largely stayed intact during this time and is much more than a group of fellow business leaders.  We’ve formed deep trusting relationships which allow us to share with candor, learn from each other’s experiences and support each other not only in business, but in life.  Our monthly gathering allows us to dig deep into current business, and sometimes personal, issues which we might be facing.  In between meetings we’re available to each other via phone, email, or in-person as things come up.  The group was incredibly important to me last year at the onset of the pandemic.  During that time we held weekly calls to share how each was being impacted, what we were hearing, seeing, and learning, and helped each other respond to new unprecedented challenges.  This is a group I highly value and hope to never leave.”

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Sara Harding, VP of Climate and Community Impact

Cherry Republic

The impact of the leadership roundtables is immediate. The sharing of what our group is working on as individuals in their organizations helps create a sense of a sounding board and tremendous lessons as a leader. Each time we get together and share, I walk away with actionable lessons and ideas for my own development and organizations. The work is profound, inspiring, and impactful.”

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John Melcher, Chief Operating Officer

Crystal Mountain

The Leadership Roundtable provides an excellent opportunity to get to know regional leaders from various industries.   The monthly meetings allow those leaders to share and discuss opportunities and challenges many of which are applicable to everyone at the table. “

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Greg Packer, CEO

Access Point

The Roundtable has been a rewarding exchange and way to connect with fellow leaders. I’m eager to have face to face engagement which I believe it will enhance the experience even more. “

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Bryan Taggart, CFP, CEO

The Larkin Group

I have been a participant in my Roundtable for over 10 years. Not only have I gained tremendous insights from the members of my group, as it relates to business, but I have also created deep relationships with each and every person. I have learned countless things from our group that have helped me grow my business and grow as a person. I look forward to our meetings each and every month.”

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Leadership Roundtables Facilitators

Amanda Blanck

Facilitator

About Amanda Amanda's Website

Kathy Grinsteiner

Facilitator

About Kathy Kathy's Website

Todd Schorer

Facilitator

About Todd

Amy Courter

Facilitator

About Amy

Jonathan Pool

Facilitator

About Jonathan Jonathan's Website

Halle Simpson

Facilitator

About Halle Halle's Website