--- title: Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders --- # Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders * * * ## Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders - Posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 At Rathbun Insurance, we believe investing in the next generation of leaders is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back to our community. We were once again honored to support [Michigan DECA](https://mideca.org/)’s Networking Dinner as Executive Mentors, hosted by the [Broad College of Business at Michigan State University](https://broad.msu.edu/). Representing Rathbun Insurance were CEO Ben Rathbun, President Laura Stoken, Producer Heather Cooper-Kim, and Inside Sales Manager Jennifer Bates, all proud to share their experiences, offer guidance, and connect with Michigan’s future business leaders. More than 100 DECA students from across Michigan gathered for an evening focused on professional development, career exploration, and meaningful connections with business professionals representing a variety of industries. The event provided students with a unique opportunity to ask questions, gain insight into different career paths, and build confidence as they consider their futures. The evening began with an engaging keynote address from a former DECA member who now serves as Chief of Staff at General Motors. The speaker shared valuable perspectives on professional growth, leadership, and the opportunities that can emerge through hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn. Following the keynote, Rathbun team members joined fellow business professionals as Executive Mentors, facilitating small-group conversations focused on career exploration, educational opportunities, navigating early professional decisions, and developing skills for success in today's workplace. Mentors shared their personal career journeys, professional responsibilities, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. These conversations offered students an opportunity to hear firsthand how different experiences, decisions, and opportunities can shape a career. From leadership and entrepreneurship to client relationships and the insurance industry, students were encouraged to remain curious, explore new possibilities, and recognize that there is no single path to professional success. For our Rathbun team, the evening was just as rewarding. Engaging with ambitious, thoughtful students who are eager to learn and make their mark on the world is an inspiring reminder of the importance of mentorship and community involvement. At Rathbun Insurance, our commitment to "Being There Matters Most" extends well beyond the insurance policies we provide. It means showing up, sharing knowledge, building relationships, and helping create opportunities for others. Supporting organizations like Michigan DECA reflects our belief that investing our time and experiences in young people helps strengthen the future of our businesses, workforce, and communities. We extend our sincere appreciation to Michigan DECA, MSU's Broad College of Business, Andrew Gauthier, and the many dedicated business professionals who helped make this event possible. Most importantly, we congratulate the students who participated. Their curiosity, ambition, and enthusiasm for learning remind us that Michigan's future is in good hands. We look forward to continuing our support of Michigan DECA and the next generation of business leaders. **Being There Matters Most.** ## Insurance Proposal Give us some info and we'll help you find the best coverage options. [Get Started](/insurance-proposal) **Request your insurance proposal online or contact our office to find out how we can help you find a policy that fits your needs.** [Get Started](/insurance-proposal) [Contact Us](/contact) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/blog/2026/rathbun-insurance-supports-michigan-decas-next-generation-of-business-leaders#blogposting","url":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/blog/2026/rathbun-insurance-supports-michigan-decas-next-generation-of-business-leaders","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/blog/2026/rathbun-insurance-supports-michigan-decas-next-generation-of-business-leaders#webpage"},"headline":"Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders","datePublished":"2026-10-27T20:23:18Z","dateModified":"2026-10-27T20:23:18Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/#organization","name":"Rathbun Insurance"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/#organization","name":"Rathbun Insurance"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/blog/2026/rathbun-insurance-supports-michigan-decas-next-generation-of-business-leaders#image","url":"https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/c6ce3622-8279-4b81-bdb0-96d1c9e6f684/images/upload/deca-october-2026-1170x780.d1f37c1a088be9fbbc5748cccfff651882944ea55840c2ed25c8b8ec2542dda7.jpg","width":1170,"height":780}},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/#organization","url":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/","name":"Rathbun Insurance"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/#webpage","url":"https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/","name":"Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/blog","name":"Blog"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/blog/2026/rathbun-insurance-supports-michigan-decas-next-generation-of-business-leaders","name":"Rathbun Insurance Supports Michigan DECA’s Next Generation of Business Leaders"}}]}]} ```