Vicki Selva Oakland Thrive, CEO Vicki has been managing budgets, developing programs and strategies and working to grow Michigan's economy for over 30 years. As CEO for Oakland Thrive, Vicki is responsible for directing this non-profit through inception, launch and growth. Strategic development, staffing, program execution, sustainability and partnerships. Thrive works to assist small businesses by providing resources and connecting them to opportunitities, including government contracting. Prior to assuming the CEO position for Oakland Thrive, Vicki was the Executive Director of the Michigan Defense Center (MDC), the state of Michigan’s defense and aerospace office. As the state’s lead defense industry expert since 2013, Vicki has been a proven leader in reshaping the State’s efforts to protect and grow missions and industry in government contracting sectors of the economy. A Founder, Architect and Manager of the State of Michigan’s Protect & Grow Initiative; a strategy for Michigan’s defense and Aerospace industry, Selva coalesced over 51 partner organizations to support the plan. Prior to taking a leadership role at the state level, Vicki built her reputation working with global, national and local companies and developed important relationships with key members of industry, government and academia through a decade as Director for Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Carl Levin. Vicki is a Director for the National Defense Industry Association Board of Directors (NDIA) and has been appointed to the NDIA National Policy Committee. She Chairs the Michigan Policy Committee. Ms. Selva has also volunteered mentoring young professionals through nationally recognized defense association programs. Selva has been awarded the Macomb County Partnership Award, the NDIA Volunteer of the Year Award and is recipient of the Women in Defense/Crain’s Horizon Innovation Award. Nominations include the NDIA Red Ball Express Award and the National Association of Defense Communities Annual Accomplishment Award.