Pre Conference Activities

Alayna Gant is the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Dow Credit

Union, where she leads strategic, data-driven marketing initiatives that enhance

member engagement, brand visibility, and long-term growth initiatives. With over 20

years of experience, she’s known for her creative leadership, operational excellence,

and commitment to innovation.

Alayna’s career spans leadership roles at McLaren Health Care and F.P. Horak, various

creative agencies, and also includes the founding of Sushi Remix, a fast-casual poke

restaurant she successfully operated for five years before selling in 2023. She holds a

Master of Business Administration from Northwood University and a Bachelor of Fine

Arts in Graphic Design from Saginaw Valley State University.

A passionate community advocate, Alayna has served on numerous boards and

committees, including the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, Do-All, Inc., The Great

Mural Project, and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Bay County Class

of 2023. She is a member of the Noon Rotary Club of Bay City and a graduate of the

Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance’s Institute for Leaders.

Her work has earned multiple honors, including the RUBY Award from First State Bank,

Northwood University’s Distinguished Women Entrepreneur Award, and the Young

Professional of the Year Award from Energize YPN. She has also received multiple

ADDY Awards for creative excellence.

 Jarrad Scott is the Co‑Owner of PM1, a national event‑production company trusted with some of the biggest and most fast‑paced events in the country. With nearly 20 years of experience, he’s led more than 1,000 major productions — often under extreme deadlines and high pressure. Jarrad is known for his “figure it out” mindset, calm leadership, and ability to turn big challenges into smooth, successful events. He’s passionate about teaching young leaders how to think on their feet, solve problems creatively, and show up with confidence. Jarrad has spoken to teams, brands, and emerging professionals across the country, always bringing real‑world lessons students can use today. He believes the skills students build — like communication, initiative, and adaptability — are what truly create opportunity.  

 My core competencies include problem solving, machinery, manufacturing processes, additive technologies, and niche technologies. I have domain expertise in milling, turning, EDM, automation, grinding, laser, and additive.. My mission is to deliver value-added solutions that meet the diverse and evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. I am always available to discuss and collaborate with my customers, partners, and friends to share my passion and knowledge for everything that is manufacturing. I choose to stay in manufacturing because I truly enjoy creating something from nothing.

As the founder of Wendricore Solutions, I help consult on innovative and reliable industrial automation and machine tool systems to manufactures looking to have the most advanced technology with the best ROI. I have over nine years of experience in providing solutions for machine tools and related products and services, and I hold a Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer (CMTSE) certification, which validates my technical and professional expertise in this field. 

Growing up in Kalkaska (go Blue Blazers!) I fell in love with Northern Michigan, so

naturally I attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. After

graduating, I worked with adjudicated youth at a residential facility for 4 years

before spending 14 years with the Boy Scouts of America, based in Flint. I came

to Special Olympics Michigan in the fall of 2014, and have served in a variety of

development / fundraising capacities. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering with

Rotary, Knights of Columbus, and at local Special Olympics events. I am an active

member of the Greater Midland Tennis Center, and can often be found

participating in any number of outdoor activities.