Michael Forsyth is CEO of Creative Place Consulting. Michael founded Creative Place Consulting in 2017 to facilitate authentic community and economic development at the neighborhood scale. Creative Place Consulting commonly works with philanthropy, academic institutions, government and the private sector to facilitate real estate development, small business growth and vibrant cultural programming in America’s cities.

Michael is also a co-founder and partner of Detroit City Distillery. Detroit City Distillery makes small batch craft whiskies, gins and vodkas in the heart of Detroit’s historic Eastern Market. Today, Detroit City Distillery is the fastest growing distillery in the state and is expanding its national presence.

Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Michael served as the Small Business Director with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. In his six years with the DEGC, Michael designed and managed two-cutting edge programs, Motor City Match and REVOLVE Detroit, to facilitate entrepreneurship, real estate development and arts investment in Detroit’s neighborhood business districts. He raised and managed nearly $16M in public and philanthropic funds to support small business and neighborhood development.

Michael attended Michigan State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and a master’s in Urban Planning. He’s been recognized as Crain’s 40 Under 40, Detroit News Michiganian of the Year and is a frequent presenter on topics of entrepreneurship and urban revitalization.