CWIB Luncheon June 23, 2026

Join us for Connecting Women in Business luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, at North Central Michigan College Library Conference Room. Our speaker is Payton Heins, President and CEO of Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. 

Payton leads efforts to transition our four-county area (Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties) from a seasonal tourism economy into a diversified, year-round market.

Payton will provide a snapshot of the latest quarterly trends, including the top economic issues currently on the minds of local community and business leaders. Learn about business outlook in our region, local economic data as well as barriers to growing business. 

Payton joined NLEA in 2024 following her role as Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives at the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity. Her career spans local, state, and national levels, leading efforts in housing, workforce development, economic growth, and organizational capacity building. She previously managed statewide operations for a national community revitalization consultancy and has led complex redevelopment and small business initiatives across Michigan.

Registration and networking is from 11:30am to noon. At noon the lunch buffet will be ready. The program will begin around 12:20 and end by 1pm. Cost is $35 for CWIB members and $45 for all others. 

PLEASE NOTE - Registration closes Thursday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. Any cancellations or no-shows after this time will be charged.

Lunch buffet will be lemon and herb chicken breast, roasted vegetables, mixed greens with strawberries, feta and balsamic vinaigrette, dessert with lemonade and iced tea.

Thank you to our event sponsors Dodson Payment Services, Larson Botanicals, Laura and Don Jasurda - MAKE Wellness, Northmen Dens Youth Services and Yoga Roots Petoskey. 

Our 2026 marquee sponsor is PNC Bank, F.S. Roofing in our supporting sponsor and our exclusive radio sponsor is Lite 96.