Tony Willis

As the Chief Equity Development Officer for LEAP, Tony leads the organization in establishing and extending programs to support equitable economic development throughout the Lansing region. With the goal of creating a stronger, more competitive economy that works for all; Tony works to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities for low-income people, communities of color, and other underrepresented groups. Tony is also the President of PROTO Accelerator, the region’s first corporate innovation platform and the only accelerator in the state of Michigan with a program focused on JnsurTech. Tony has worked in multiple capacities at LEAP starting as Business Acceleration Manager and VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, before being promoted to Chief Equity Development Officer. Prior to joining LEAP, Tony worked in commercial lending with an emphasis in startup/small business lending. Tony is a proud Spartan, having earned a BA in Communications with specialization in PR from Michigan State University. Tony also attended Lansing Community College prior to transferring to Michigan State University.