Although some businesses and organizations have thrived and flourished during Covid-19, many more have suffered financially with their owners and employees being impacted both psychologically and personally. The panel will bring to light the challenges and pressures faced by small businesses in our community -- and the country as a whole -- and what the future may hold.
Presenter Paula Gardner joined Bridge Magazine as its first business editor in April 2020. Her career includes several years at MLive. com, where she was editor of The Ann Arbor News, statewide business reporter and part of an award-winning environmental coverage team that helped uncover and dig into Michigan’s PFAS crisis.
Among her honors is an award naming her Michigan’s Journalist of the Year in 2019 from the Michigan Press Association. Ms. Gardner’s experience includes leading the news team at AnnArbor.com, a digital news startup launched in 2009 that generated company-leading audience growth. Before that, she worked at the Michigan Business Review, Detroit Free Press and the Ypsilanti Press.
Presenter Mike Gustafson is the co-owner of Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor. Literati, which opened in 2013, is a full-service, general interest bookstore. In 2019, Literati was honored as the 2019 Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year. Mike is also on the board of the Independent Booksellers Consortium, an information-sharing cooperative made up of top independent bookstores from around the country, and the Library of Michigan Foundation. Mike is also the co-editor of the 2019 Michigan Notable Book, “Notes from a Public Typewriter”.

Presenter Grace Singleton has been a managing partner of Zingerman’s Delicatessen since 2002. She serves as the Board President of Kerrytown District Association, a non-profit organization promoting the businesses in the Kerrytown area. Previously, she served as a Board Member and Board President of the non-profit domestic violence support organization Safehouse Center. She has an AAS culinary degree from Paul Smith’s College in upper New York State. She has over 30 years of experience working with food, which includes working as a chef, wine buyer, dining room manager, general manager, and specialty food buyer.

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