Ally Financial marketing chief Andrea Brimmer to speak at UM-Flint Business Summit

University of Michigan-Flint students can meet Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer at Ally Financial, at the School of Management's third Business Summit on Aug. 25.

The event begins with networking at 11 a.m. in the university's Northbank Center, 432 North Saginaw Street, Flint, followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Brimmer will deliver a keynote speech from noon to 1 p.m. Students may attend the community-building and idea-exchange event free of charge by showing their Mcard.

SOM hosts the Business Summit annually in partnership with the Flint & Genesee Chamber. Launched in 2024 as part of the school's 50th anniversary celebration, the event brings business and community leaders together to discuss issues shaping the regional economy.

Previous keynote speakers have included Ray Scott, president and CEO of Lear, and Garrick J. Rochow, president and CEO of Consumers Energy and CMS Energy.

Banking reimagined

Ally Financial ranks No. 255 on the Fortune 500 list and is Michigan's top-earning company in the professional and corporate services sector.

Brimmer joined Ally Financial in 2008 and played a key role in the 2009 rebranding of GMAC Bank as Ally Bank. Since then, she has held several leadership positions overseeing brand strategy and marketing initiatives, including a recent brand refresh and national advertising campaign. Before joining Ally, Brimmer spent nearly 19 years at the advertising agency Campbell Ewald.

Starting the semester off right

"Seeing someone achieve so much at the highest levels of marketing is incredibly empowering," said Keilah Wilson, a senior business administration major from Bay City. "I'm eager to learn from women who have transformed brands and broken barriers."

Wilson said there are a number of topics she hopes Brimmer will hit upon during her keynote, including how she balances major marketing initiatives, what pivotal challenges helped shape her career and what advice she has for graduates entering the workforce.

"She is truly a high‑achieving, marketing- and business‑minded woman," Wilson said. "I would love to gain deeper insight into her journey."

An advocate for women

Brimmer created the 50/50 Sports Media Pledge in 2022, which led Ally Financial to become the first company to spend equally on men's and women's sports.

Azadeh Sadeghi, assistant professor of supply chain management and faculty advisor for UM-Flint's Women in Business club, has encouraged members to attend the summit.

"(Brimmer's) career offers a powerful example of leadership, innovation and advocacy in action," Sadeghi said. "Her commitment to advancing opportunities for women in both the workplace and sports makes the summit a meaningful experience. Students should use this event to gain insight, build connections and envision what is possible in their own careers."

An agent of change

Under Brimmer's leadership, Ally Financial has supported community initiatives focused on financial literacy, workforce development and affordable housing. The company is also a sponsor of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, a PGA Tour Champions tournament that has generated millions of dollars for charitable organizations in southeastern Michigan, including nearly $1.3 million in 2025.

The 2026 Ally Challenge will take place Aug. 24-30 at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc. Brimmer may speak again at the tournament's Women of Influence Luncheon on Aug. 27.

How to attend

The deadline to register for the Business Summit is Aug. 21. SOM students who attend will earn five Career Development Requirement points.

Funding for this year's Business Summit is provided through UM-Flint's Critical Issues Forum. Established through the generosity of Frances Willson Thompson, the forum supports guest speakers and public programs that explore issues of regional, national and global significance.