Populus 2014 focuses on people who change communities

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, February 27, 2014

Those interested in helping to bring about change in the community are invited to a special event hosted by Southwest Michigan First.

Populus, a one-day event, March 28 at the Kalamazoo State Theatre, is intended to inspire policy makers and engaged citizens who share the vision of making Southwest Michigan a strong, vibrant region together.

Leaders from across the community – business, not-for-profit, government, education and faith-based organizations – are invited collaborate with public servants to shape policy in Southwest Michigan.

Participants will hear the creative thought, civic engagement and innovative ideas shared by Populus 2014 speakers including:

• Richard Florida, best-selling author of The Rise of the Creative Class. Richard Florida is the Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, Global Research Professor at New York University and Founder of the Creative Class Group, which works closely with governments and companies worldwide. He is known as the world’s leading urbanist and considered an “intellectual rock star” by Fast Company.

• Nigel Jacob from the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics.With an extensive background in collaborative, citizen-facing technology projects, Nigel Jacob serves as an advisor to the mayor of Boston on emerging technologies through his work at the Office of New Urban Mechanics. Nigel is a fellow at the Center for the Advancement of Public Action at Bennington College and has received a number of awards including being named Public Official of the year in 2011 by Governing Magazine and the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation award in 2012.

• Christopher Leinberger, Metropolitan Land Use Strategist and Visiting Fellow with The Brookings Institution. Voted one of the “Top 100 Urban Thinkers,” Christopher Leinberger is an expert land-use strategist, teacher, researcher and author, balancing business realities with social and environmental concerns. Christopher is the president of Locus, a national network of real estate developers and investors, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. and an Op-Ed Contributor to The New York Times.

State of Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley will also participate in the event.

To learn more about the event and its speaker lineup, go here.

Source: Southwest Michigan First

Pictured: Christopher Leinberger, Nigel Jacob, Richard Florida