Jeff Donofrio is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Business Leaders for Michigan. During his tenure, the organization has increased the state’s economic competitiveness, advanced K-12 education reforms, expanded talent pathways, and strengthened Michigan’s business climate.
Previously, Donofrio served as Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), served as the Executive Director of Workforce Development for the City of Detroit, and as an executive at Ford Motor Company. He also led the Michigan operations for Congressmen John D. Dingell and Sandy Levin and served in the Granholm administration.
Donofrio co-chairs Launch Michigan (Michigan’s K-12 education coalition) and serves on the boards of the Detroit Economic Club, [Detroit] Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, Michigan Educational Excellence Foundation, Michigan Workforce Development Board, Protect Michigan Commission, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board.
In 2018, he was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s transition team as a Special Advisor for Jobs and the Economy and was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 class.
Donofrio earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgetown University.