Michigan Business Sustainability Roundtable Convenes for Community and Solutions

On February 25, 2025, the Erb Institute hosted a meeting of the Michigan Business Sustainability Roundtable (MBSR) to address pressing sustainability challenges facing businesses. The meeting focused on identifying both immediate and long-term gaps in sustainability skill sets within the labor market and exploring ways partners can help fill these gaps to strengthen business resilience.

The MBSR, convened by the Erb Institute, brings together senior business leaders dedicated to driving transformational change in the social and environmental performance of their companies, industries, and the State of Michigan.

Council of Michigan Foundations and Erb Family Foundation’s Philanthropy Fellow Taylor Williams, Edward J. Frey Dean of Business, Stephen M. Ross Professor of Business Sharon Matusik, Samuel A. Graham Dean, School for Environment and Sustainability Jonathan Overpeck

Reflecting on the meeting and the group’s mission, Erb Institute Managing Director Melissa Zaksek shared: “The MBSR is an incredibly valuable forum for information-sharing and idea-generating. This group of trusted Michigan business sustainability leaders is committed to achieving a shared vision of an economically thriving and sustainable future for all Michiganders. We learn a great deal from our conversations with our MBSR members; the insights we gain inform how we deliver programming in the Erb Institute’s pursuit of our mission to create a sustainable world through business.”

Following the MBSR meeting, the Erb Institute hosted a networking lunch that welcomed additional business leaders, sustainability experts from across Michigan, senior leaders from the University of Michigan, and members of the Erb Institute community, including students, alumni, and staff.

“I believe collaboration is a contact sport. The networking lunch provided a valuable opportunity to connect with Erb students and professionals from across sectors,” said Kerry Duggan, Founder and Managing Partner of Energy Security Partners.

Alex Maxwell, MBA/MS ’26

During the lunch, attendees heard remarks from Zaksek, Erb Institute Faculty Director Charlene Zietsma, and dual degree student Alex Maxwell (MBA/MS ‘26). Their remarks emphasized themes of hope, perseverance, and commitment to a shared purpose—the pursuit of sustainability.

“My partner at Energy Security Partners often says, ‘There’s nobody coming to save us. We have to save ourselves.’ This convening is a great example of that mindset—focusing on what we can do within our unique place in the world and embracing our responsibility to steward our state’s abundant resources. That stewardship is only possible through collaboration,” Duggan added.