Marketing and Communications

Alan Bart is a senior majoring in International Relations.  He is interested in the overlap between economic development and entrepreneurship, and how Michigan can move from manufacturing toward a knowledge-based economy.
–Please contact Alan at barta@spotlightmichigan.com

Amanda VanderMeulen is a senior majoring in International Relations with a minor in Philosophy and a cognate in Business.  Her primary interests include marketing, design, export, and environmentally conscious business practices. Amanda looks forward to living and working in Michigan after graduation.
–Please contact Amanda at vandermeulena@spotlightmichigan.com

Media and Technology

Nicholas Laverty is a senior majoring in International Relations and Economics with a minor in Asian Studies. He is interested in discovering how Michigan can remake itself as a hub for entrepreneurial activity, and hopes to participate in that new wave of innovation.  After completing his degrees, Nick plans to attend graduate school Economics and IR or enter the workforce.
–Please contact Nick at lavertyn@spotlightmichigan.com

Anthony Mianecki is a senior majoring in International Relations with a specialization in Political Science and a cognate in Business. His interests include small and medium size business development and the incentives necessary for the construction of an entrepreneurial culture.
–Please contact Anthony at mianeckia@spotlightmichigan.com

Operations and Finance

Chelsey Frank is a junior majoring in International Relations and Environmental Studies and Agriscience. She believes that if Spotlight Michigan can connect educated and innovative youth to their communities, Michigan has the potential to undergo a cultural transformation and transition towards an entrepreneurial, knowledge-based economy.
–Please contact Chelsey at frankc@spotlightmichigan.com

J. Michael Tasse is a senior majoring in Social Relations and Policy with a specialization in Political Economy and a minor in Spanish.  He is interested in public health and reaching the Latino community in the greater Lansing area, focusing on an entrepreneurial culture that does not always receive an entrepreneurial identity.
–Please contact Mike at tassem@spotlightmichigan.com

Public Relations

Erika Huber is a senior majoring in Social Relations and Policy and Economics with a specialization in Political Economy and a minor in Spanish.  She also serves as the content editor for Spotlight Michigan. After graduation, Erika plans to work in economic development and later, attend graduate school for public policy.
–Please contact Erika at hubere@spotlightmichigan.com

Research

Lindsay Schmidt is a senior in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy with a specialization in Political Economy and a cognate in Business. She is interested in communicating the needs of college graduates that will spur Michigan’s talent retention success.   She plans to attend law school after graduation, pursuing corporate and environmental policy.
–Please contact Lindsay at schmidtl@spotlightmichigan.com

Jennifer Seager is a senior studying International Relations and Economics with a specialization in Political Economy.  Jennifer is interested in bridging the gap between Michigan’s current rigid economic institutions and the needs of Michigan’s graduates.  After graduation, she plans to earn a doctorate degree in Economics.
–Please contact Jennifer at seagerj@spotlightmichigan.com

Executive Directors

Dr. Ross Emmett and Dr. Bryan Ritchie started the Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Prosperity in  2006 at Michigan State University. From the Center, they began to administer the seminar, “Michigan Futures in the Global Economy: An Applied Public Policy Seminar.” Each semester the two pose a question to a small group of students, this years being, “How can we cultivate a society of entrepreneurship and innovation in Michigan?” Spotlight Michigan was formed as a response to this question.
–Please contact Dr. Ritchie at ritchieb@spotlightmichigan.com
–Please contact Dr. Emmet at emmettr@spotlightmichigan.com