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Michael B. Coleman has established a national reputation as a transformational leader in business, law, government, and the civic arena. Skilled at bringing people together, Michael has a history of collaboration craftsmanship leading to viable solutions of complex problems. His long history of transformational leadership is manifested in leading roles in a nearly 400-attorney law firm, corporate board responsibility, and as the City of Columbus' longest-serving and first African American mayor. Known as a progressive leader and a pro-business mayor, Michael played an instrumental role in expanding business and employment opportunities and in making Columbus the sought-after business destination it is today.

Michael's leadership in law is recognized through his role as Partner-In-Charge of Ice Miller's Government Law Group and listing as a Government Relations Practice Best Lawyer in America in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Michael blends advocacy with strategy to create dynamic partnerships between business, government, real estate development and urban policy furthering the city's vibrant and thriving reputation. Michael represented 5 of the region's top 10 real estate developments in 2019 and some of the city's largest developers in 2020, 2021 and 2022 totaling approximately $1B in real estate development value.

Michael's leadership in business is evidenced by his work on the board of directors of Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS) serving as the chair of the Sustainability Committee. Michael also serves as an organizing board member of Adelphi Bank, an anticipated minority-owned and controlled bank.

In addition, Michael holds board positions with multiple non-profit organizations including OhioHealth, Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation, Columbus Museum of Art and KIPP Columbus Schools. He is a founding member of the African American Mayors Association, and Chair of the Board of Advisors of The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Michael is immediate past chair of The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and serves as a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce until the end of 2022.


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As a four-term Mayor, Michael built visions, collaborations and strategies that consistently exceeded goals. His impact reached from revitalizing forgotten neighborhoods to reimagining the entire downtown landscape, saving the city from financial ruin, and advancing forward-thinking concepts to inspire a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable capital city. Facilitating these achievements required managing annual capital and operating busgets of approximately $2B, leadership of 9,000 employees and acquisitions of $7B in private investment.

Prior to serving as Mayor, Michael was a partner with Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA, which later combines with Ice Miller in 2012.  Michael earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati and his Law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law, and he is the recipient of six honorary Doctorate degrees. 

Michael is a prolific public speaker on topics such as economic development, neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, leadership challenges and racial reconciliation. In addition, his expertise in the areas of leadership, sustainability, and urban economic development has been cited in multiple books and other publications. 
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News
Published In
  • Mahogany Columbus (2023, January) "Michael B. Coleman Former Mayor's Transformative New Leadership Role"
  • Coleman, M. (2022, August) Thirteen Black philanthopists to know in Columbus.  Columbus Dispatch.
  • Business First, (2021, May) "The 2021 Power 100: Here are Columbus' most influential leaders, Part 1."
  • Coleman, M (2020, June) Don't waste this moment to finally deal with racism. Columbus Dispatch.
  • Coleman, M. (2020, May) Dispatch editorial insensitive to female, black contractors. Columbus Dispatch.
  • Business First, (2020, April) "The Power 100".
  • Coleman, M. (2020, April) How Columbus is Handling the Coronavirus Crisis. Columbus Dispatch.
  • Coleman, M. (2018, July). The Radical Middle. Columbus Dispatch.
  • Columbus CEO, (2017, April) "Sealing the Deal - Columbus dealmakers tell what it take to reach agreements that shape the region."
  • Business First, (2015, November). “Mayor Coleman to rejoin law firm, with a focus on economic development.” 
  • Coleman, M. (2014, August 24). Ferguson Has Important Lessons for Cities Nationwide. The Columbus Dispatch.
  • Coleman, M. (2014, April 9). Other Cities Should Help Detroit Get Back on its Feet. Detroit Free Press, pp. A11
  • Coleman, M. (2010, November 7). Mudslinging is Bad for Democracy. The Columbus Dispatch.
  • Coleman, M. (2008, November 9). Great Expectations of Black Community are a Hurdle for Obama. The Columbus Dispatch.
Speaking Engagements
  • "The importance of small businesses in our community" National Small Business Week. May 2, 2023.
  • "The importance of mobilizing against tobacco targeting in communities of color" Tobacco Awareness Campaign Kickoff. April 27, 2023.
  • "The Future of office downtown," Columbus Business First Power Breakfast, Feb. 16, 2023.
  • The New Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan," Columbus Metropolitan Club, 2022.
  • “Everyone Can Be a Leader,” Leadership Ohio, May 12, 2022.
  • “Bringing Downtown Back Downtown,” The Review Club May 6, 2022. 
  • Keynote speaker at the Nationwide Insurance Unity Day, June 19, 2020.
  • American Institute of Architects, April 30, 2020. Topic: Leadership and Mentorship.
  • Central Ohio Honors, Feb. 21, 2020. 
  • The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Oct. 23, 2019. Addressed 20 business and community leaders from Des Moines. 
  • L-Brands Finance Community, Oct. 18, 2019.
  • Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Community Event, Sept. 18, 2019. Addressed Economic Development best practices and public, private collaboration.
  • Harvard Business School, Young American Leaders Program (YALP) Boot Camp on June 11, 2018. The Boot Camp focused on cross-sector collaboration and a dynamic interactive fireside chat among 120 emerging leaders from 12 U.S. cities (Columbus, Ohio).
  • Sustainable Smart Cities Research; May 2017, Topic: Development and the impact of the IoT on Alexandria, Egypt.
  • Smart City NYC '17, Topic: Columbus Goes Electric
  • 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Michael has spoken at numerous engagements regarding economic development and Smart Cities.
  • Michael has been a commencement speaker at 6 colleges where he received honorary degrees. 
  • CEOs for Cities 2016 National Meeting, Sept. 28, 2016 Topic: What Makes Columbus Work
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