The Detroit Regional Chamber has appointed Bob Riney, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health, as the Chair of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Riney will also serve as the First Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. He is set to take over from Peter Quigley, Kelly’s CEO, who currently holds the position for the 2025 conference and will become the Chamber’s Board Chair on July 1.
Riney expressed his anticipation for leading the event in a significant election year. “This gathering every year is really impactful for Detroit, the Region, and the entire state of Michigan, and I look forward to what we can come together and focus on in 2026,” he stated. The upcoming election cycle presents an opportunity to address critical issues impacting Michigan’s growth and sustainability.
With over 45 years at Henry Ford Health, Riney has been its CEO since 2022. He has contributed significantly to its expansion through a joint venture with Ascension Michigan. His leadership is pivotal in projects like Destination: Grand, which aims to revitalize Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus with a new hospital facility.
Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO of the Chamber, praised Riney’s leadership: “With Michigan facing disproportionate economic risks and uncertainty in a critical election cycle, we need to put our innovation-based economy into high-gear, and I can’t think of a better leader to tee up that conversation at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference than Bob Riney.”
Riney’s involvement extends beyond healthcare; he serves on several boards including The Parade Company and Business Leaders for Michigan. Planning for the 2026 conference will commence this summer under his guidance alongside an advisory committee composed of Michigan-based CEOs.
The Mackinac Policy Conference is a key annual event that gathers influential figures across various sectors in Michigan to discuss economic futures. Since its inception in 1981, it attracts over 1,500 attendees each year.
For more information about the conference visit detroitchamber.com/mpc.
