Davenport University Excellence in Business Gala

Additional Information

The Excellence in Business Dinner Gala recognizes great leaders in the business world. Presented at this event, the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award, established in 1998 in honor of alumnus Peter C. Cook, recognizes business and community leaders who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit, success and generosity to community that are hallmarks of the Davenport mission, vision and values.

This year Davenport University will honor Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc., located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under her 28-years of leadership, the organization has spurred the creation of over 40,000 new jobs and $4 billion in capital investment. Klohs has set in place an economic development framework for long-term, sustained economic growth to position West Michigan for the future.

This year's featured speaker will be Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°, a nightly newscast that goes beyond the headlines — keeping politicians and policy makers honest with in-depth reporting and investigations. Cooper has covered nearly all-major news events around the world, often reporting from the scene. Cooper has also played a pivotal role in CNN’s political and election coverage and has anchored from conventions and moderated several presidential debates.