Report on Lakeshore Advantage Board Expansion and Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Lakeshore Advantage has announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors, effective July 1. This strategic expansion is designed to integrate key investors into the organization’s governance, thereby strengthening its capacity to drive regional economic growth in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

New Board Appointees

The new members, who will each serve a three-year term in newly created major investor board seats, are:

• John Burmeister: Regional Banking Market Director and Senior Vice President, representing Huntington National Bank.
• Kevin Costello: Senior Vice President and West Michigan Market Executive, representing Fifth Third Bank.
• Bret Docter: Vice President of Real Estate at Tommy’s Express, representing the Now for the Next Fund.

Strategic Mandate and Contribution to Sustainable Development

The primary mandate for the expanded board is to guide Lakeshore Advantage in its mission to make the region a top destination for business and talent. This objective directly supports several key SDGs by focusing on long-term, sustainable economic prosperity.

Alignment with Specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The board’s initiatives and the new members’ expertise are positioned to make significant contributions to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The core mission to drive “smart, sustainable economic growth” is central to creating productive employment and decent work for all. By attracting and retaining businesses, the organization directly fosters a robust local economy.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The inclusion of leaders from the banking and real estate sectors provides crucial insight for building resilient infrastructure and fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Their involvement ensures that financial and physical development aligns with long-term regional goals.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The goal of making the Lakeshore region a “magnet for business and talent” contributes to making local communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. A thriving economy is a cornerstone of a sustainable community.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The new governance model, which formally integrates major investors into strategic planning, exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership. This collaboration between the economic development organization and private sector leaders is critical for mobilizing the resources needed to achieve sustainable development targets.

Enhanced Governance Structure

The appointments are a result of a strategic decision in May 2025 to enhance the board’s structure and ensure committed stakeholders have a formal voice. The key features of the new structure include:

• Creation of up to 10 board positions designated for major investors.
• A total board capacity of 30 members, representing a broad cross-section of the region’s industries.
• A formal mechanism for the organization’s most committed investors to shape priorities and ensure resources align with the mission of sustainable regional prosperity.

Future Outlook

Leadership at Lakeshore Advantage anticipates that the strategic insight and deep commitment of the new board members will help drive bold action. Their involvement is expected to reinforce the region’s position as a premier location for business and talent, ensuring that economic growth is both dynamic and sustainable for the future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The core mission of Lakeshore Advantage, as described in the article, is to “drive smart, sustainable economic growth for the Lakeshore” and make the region a “top destination for business and talent.” This directly aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The focus on attracting businesses, involving major investors from banking and real estate, and creating a favorable environment for industries connects to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation. The goal is to make the region a “magnet for business,” which supports industrial development.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article is centered on the formation of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It details how Lakeshore Advantage is formally involving major private sector investors on its board of directors to “steer the region’s long-term economic growth.” This collaboration between an economic development organization and private companies is a clear example of a partnership for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.3 (under SDG 8): “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation…” The article’s emphasis on making the Lakeshore a “top destination for business and talent” and driving economic growth through strategic leadership directly supports this target. The mention of “Entrepreneurship” in the related tags further reinforces this connection.
2. Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The entire premise of the article—adding major investors from companies like Huntington National Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and Tommy’s Express to the Lakeshore Advantage board—is a direct implementation of this target. The article states the goal is to give “the organization’s most committed investors a formal voice in shaping Lakeshore Advantage’s direction.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 17.17: The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator for measuring the partnership. It states, “In May 2025, the Lakeshore Advantage board added up to 10 positions for major investors on a board that can hold a total of 30 members.” The number of private sector partners integrated into the governance structure is a clear metric of this partnership’s strength.
• Implied Indicators for Target 8.3: While the article does not provide specific data, it implies that success will be measured by the region’s ability to attract and retain businesses and skilled individuals. Progress could be measured by:
  • The growth of new and existing businesses in the region.
  • The attraction and retention of talent (skilled workforce).
  • The amount of capital investment flowing into the region, as represented by the “major investors” joining the board.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: secondwavemedia.com