Petey Stephanak

Petey serves as a partner at Southwest Michigan First supporting regional companies in their quest to retain and grow their workforce, in addition to connecting emerging and experienced talent, from near and far, with opportunities in Southwest Michigan. In collaboration with regional companies, Petey was actively involved in the vision and launching of the WMU Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation. She continues to work with RIDI and the Engineering College on connecting students with regional companies. Petey also leads the design initiative called MIX Southwest Michigan which ignites the unique legacy of innovation in our region and is part of the team building the entrepreneurial community by supporting our First Path program in which individuals take the first steps on their entrepreneurship journey toward fulfilling their dreams. Petey graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Interior Design. While at Purdue, she competed for the university as a springboard diver and spent summers performing with The Great American High Diving Team.