SBAM Foundation adds Lorri Rishar and Derek Dickow to foundation board

LANSING- The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Foundation today announced the appointment of two new board members, Lorri Rishar and Derek Dickow, to its growing board of directors.

“The SBAM Foundation is committed to empowering Michigan’s small businesses through resources, advocacy and a supportive network,” said David Rhoa, executive director of the foundation. “Lorri and Derek will bring their wealth of experience and dedication to supporting small business to the board and we are excited for them to help us work to foster an environment for growth and innovation.” 

Lorri Rishar, a 35-year marketing and communications veteran, is the cofounder and CEO of Edge Partnerships, with offices in Lansing and Marquette. Prior to starting Edge in 2007, she served as Communications Director and Chief of Staff for the Speaker in the Michigan House. During the COVID pandemic, she chaired the board of the Small Business Association of Michigan and now serves as AARP Michigan’s State President and is on the Michigan Chamber Board of Directors.

Derek Dickow, a strategic networking advisor and founder of Power Connections, works with CEOs, and top innovators, sharing his expertise through his ‘5 Pillars of Purpose-Driven Networking.’ Through Power Connections, he also organizes high-impact conferences that foster meaningful connections and growth among among business leaders. In addition to his role as a board member of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Dickow is an ambassador for the Children’s Foundation and a member of the National Speakers Association.

The addition of Rishar and Dickow to the SBAM Foundation Board is set to strengthen the Foundation’s mission to empower Michigan’s small businesses through resources, advocacy and a supportive network. Learn more about the members of SBAM Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Small Business Foundation works to provide products, services, resources, content, and programming that support the mission of the Small Business Association of Michigan – the success of Michigan small business. Learn more at www.sbam.org/sbam-foundation.