By: Da'Stanza Murphy, UMCI
Date:
The University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) in Detroit is launching the Detroit Leadership Lab, a hands-on, three-week program designed to build practical leadership skills for real-world application.
The program marks the launch of UMCI’s workforce development initiatives in Detroit, expanding access to career-focused learning opportunities that prepare individuals to lead in today’s evolving workplace.
Held over three Saturdays beginning May 16, participants will strengthen emotional intelligence, improve communication, and develop the ability to lead effectively - even without formal authority. Through interactive sessions, learners will practice navigating conflict, making decisions in uncertainty, and applying creative problem-solving strategies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“Leadership today requires more than technical expertise - it demands self-awareness, adaptability and the ability to act in complex situations,” said Lauren Atkins Budde, director of academic content strategy at University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit. “This lab is designed to give participants practical tools they can use immediately in their work and communities.”
Participants will leave with a personalized leadership action plan and practical tools they can immediately apply in their workplaces, businesses, and communities.
“We’re focused on helping participants build confidence and clarity in how they lead - whether that’s in the workplace, in their communities, or in moments where they’re stepping up without formal authority," said Budde.
Sessions will be held may 16, 23 and 30, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Newlab at Michigan Central.
The Detroit Leadership Lab is led by University of Michigan faculty:
- Cristina Eckhoff Onofre, University of Michigan Ross School of Business
- Fatema Haque, University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Registration is now open, and space is limited.
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