Inspire Michigan Heroes
This page is dedicated to people that are moving Michigan in the right direction. These are the proud people that are trying to INSPIRE MICHIGAN!
Mayor Mike Duggan
Inspire Michigan 2025
“Leader of the Year”
Mike Duggan is the 75th Mayor of the City of Detroit.
Mike Duggan has revitalized the City of Detroit in ways that would have been unthinkable during past administrations. The “Motor City Miracle” that Duggan has presided over has seen record setting events, investment, and population growth for the first time in half a century.
Duggan received a bachelor’s degree in 1980 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1983, both from the University of Michigan. He received national attention following his election in 2013. Duggan was reelected by landslide margins in 2017 and 2021. In 2020, he enjoyed an approval rating of over 68%, the highest approval rating of any mayor of Detroit since the rating system began.
Duggan announced in November 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term as mayor. The following month, Duggan announced his candidacy as an independent in the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election. Duggan has been a successful attorney, prosecutor, CEO, and mayor. He has consistently shown the ability to walk across the aisle and get things done to improve his constituents quality of life.
Inspire Michigan supports Duggan for Governor.
Tom Gores
Chairman and CEO Tom Gores founded Platinum Equity in 1995 and now ranks on Forbes lists of both the “World’s Billionaires” and “Richest Americans”. His leadership of Platinum Equity, growing it to be among the largest private companies in America today, is based on the principles of relationships, trust, and communication.
David Morrow
David Morrow is a 1993 graduate of Princeton University. Grew up outside of Detroit in the town of Troy. His father, Kevin, ran a tubing shop, and Morrow came to Princeton sure that he would take over the company business one day.
David O. Egner
David Egner was named executive director of the New Economy Initiative in 2009. Under Egner’s leadership the New Economy Initiative has targeted grant making to capitalize on existing regional assets and resources, to build and employ a more skilled and educated workforce, and to promote a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem, In addition, Egner continues to serve as president and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation, a position he has held since 1997.
Susan Mosey
President, University Cultural Center Association
Susan Mosey has been president of the University Cultural Center Association (UCCA), a nonprofit community development group, for nearly 20 years. Under her leadership, the UCCA has helped create more than $400 million in new residential investment, and Crain’s Detroit Business named her one of its Most Influential Women in 2007. Mosey received her bachelor’s in political science and master’s in urban planning from Wayne State University.
Clark Bunting
The CEO and General Manager of the Discovery Channel is a Michigan State grad and a huge supporter of our state’s economic revival. He recently offered to lead a panel of entertainment industry executives that will provide much needed direction and support for Michigan’s fastest growing business sector… entertainment!
Dr. James Weber
The Michigan Boxing and MMA commissioner has already brought Showtime’s championship boxing and the UFC mixed martial arts title bouts to our state in his first year on the job! Did I mention, that he’s an elite emergency physician with U of M and Chief of Research at Hurley Hospital?
McKeel Hagerty
From the Seminary to the CEO, this entrepreneurial leader is breaking new ground in Northern Michigan’s growing economy.
Bob King
The new head of the UAW has taken ownership of a leaner and meaner organization that will drive into the future, rather than sputter in the past.
Patrick McInnis
The Fathead CEO is turning the corner and guiding another Michigan company to the promised land.
Brad Keywell
The Groupon founder is a Michigan man!
Rick Snyder
Inspire Michigan endorses a “Nerd” for Governor. Among real contenders, the is the first truly independent voice in Michigan politics.
Robert Bobb
(Detroit Public Schools)
William Davidson
(Memorial)
John Rakolta Jr.
“Detroit’s New Mayor Means Business”
Dave Bing
“Detroit’s New Mayor Means Business”
Man of the Year is Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Gary Peters
Peters says on his campaign website that he supports tax cuts for the middle class, ending subsidies for oil companies, and tax cuts and incentives for small businesses to get new equipment and hire more employees.
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore (born April 23, 1954) is an Academy Award-winning American filmmaker, author, and liberal political commentator. He is the director and producer of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko, three of the top five highest-grossing documentaries of all time. In September 2008, he released his first free movie on the Internet, Slacker Uprising, documenting his personal crusade to encourage more Americans to vote in presidential elections.He has also written and starred in the TV shows TV Nation and The Awful Truth.
Roger Penske
Roger Penske (born February 20, 1937 in Shaker Heights, Ohio) is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses.
Keith Crain
Keith Crain’s dedication to the city of Detroit is evident in the unmatched quality of his publications and the passion of his editorial voice. Crain’s has simply become the bible of business in the Metro area. Detroit may lack leadership, but Keith Crain provides the conscience.
manuel Steward
The architect of Detroit’s World Famous Kronk Gym and a stable of Championship fighters, is the one and only Emanuel Steward. From humble beginnings, Steward pulled himself out of harm’s way and made the unlikely journey to the top of the boxing world. His client list speaks for itself and he is without a doubt, the Greatest Boxing Trainer of all-time…”
