SBND Virtual Event - Belle Isle Conservancy

Belle Isle – has been a part of Detroit since 1879, as a space for relaxation, connection, and recreation. Larger than New York’s Central Park, it is the largest city island park in the U.S. and has more than five million visitors per year.

Earlier this year, The Belle Isle Conservancy announced a new brand identify, reintroducing Belle Isle as more than a park but as a living cultural landmark and Detroit’s backyard. That includes integrating music into the Belle Isle experience with Spotify playlists “Where Detroit Goes to Breathe” and “Detroit Joy.”

Join Sustainable Business Network Detroit and Inforum from noon-1 p.m. Feb. 25 for a free virtual event to hear more about Belle Isle’s plans and its mission to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the island.

Our speakers will be Meagan Elliott, Conservancy president and CEO, and Chief of Staff Danielle N. Jackson in a conversation led by Ivan Kalafatic, founder of communications strategy firm 2gathr and digital marketing platform detroitisit.

About the speakers:

Meagan Elliott has been president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy since July 2024. Previously, she spent 10 years leading green space planning initiatives for the city of Detroit, serving as its first chief parks planner and, later, as deputy CFO over development and grants, where she oversaw $2.3 billion in grant funds. She also led the Joe Louis Greenway Framework Plan and was the public partner lead in the $350 million campaign for unified green for the Joe Louis Greenway and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and serves as co-chair to the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership.

Danielle N. Jackson has been with the Belle Isle Conservancy doe nearly 10 years and currently serves as chief of staff. In previous positions she’s overseen events, communications, and PR.

Ivana Kalafatic is a communications strategist who specializes in building relationships and meaning for clients and their audiences. She founded and operates two businesses: 2gathr, which offers communications strategy and digital marketing, detroitisit, an online, hyperlocal digital media platform covering culture, community, innovation, and design in cities, starting with Detroit. She also produces signature conferences with a focus on sustainability.

This event was made possible through the generous support of the Erb Family Foundation.

EVENT DETAILS

Cost: Free, but registration required.

Questions about the event content? Contact Inforum Vice President Cindy Goodaker at cgoodaker@inforummichigan.org.

Questions about event details/logistics? Contact Anna Grace, Inforum member experience and event manager, at agrace@inforummichigan.org.