The Graduate Enterprise Network Foundation (GEN), founded by Eliz Cox (MBA ’23, SMU Cox School of Business), has relocated its headquarters from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas. The move marks a decisive shift from institutional stagnation to civic responsibility—positioning Dallas as a national model for leadership and innovation.
“GEN’s relocation is not just a move—it’s a statement,” said Cox. “Where others chose stagnation, Dallas chose responsibility. GEN exists to prove that prosperity is not about scale alone, but about activating human potential at every level of the economy.”
Michigan illustrates what happens when numbers rise but outcomes fall. Despite spending more per pupil than 41 other states, Michigan ranks among the bottom 10 nationally in educational outcomes (Bridge Michigan; Michigan Advance). The counselor shortage underscores the strain: Michigan averages 598 students per school counselor, the second-highest ratio in the nation, according to Axios and NPR/Michigan Public.
Even institutions once viewed as anchors of civic vitality are under pressure. Bloomberg Law reported that Albion College’s bonds were downgraded due to liquidity concerns, and the Detroit Free Press noted that the Michigan Attorney General’s office initiated an inquiry into Albion College’s use of donor funds. Public reporting has also highlighted governance disputes that have led to leadership turnover at several Michigan institutions, reflecting the broader headwinds facing tuition-dependent liberal arts colleges nationwide.
Dallas, by contrast, has embraced growth. The city combines low taxes with AAA bond ratings, according to Dallas County, and has become a magnet for corporate relocations and investment. The Dallas Regional Chamber has documented how business and community leaders are channeling investment into Southern Dallas, proving that prosperity can expand beyond traditional centers. Dallas demonstrates what happens when civic leadership accepts responsibility: talent is attracted, capital is mobilized, and innovation accelerates.
GEN’s Dallas pilot, GENiusPath, is designed to convert graduate talent into measurable business results. By embedding MBA candidates into 10–20 consulting projects with small- and mid-sized enterprises, the program delivers dual impact: immediate strategic support for local businesses and the creation of durable leadership pipelines for the future. “GENiusPath translates vision into practice,” Cox said. “Each project is both a near-term economic intervention and a long-term investment in America’s competitiveness.”
The relocation is not just a regional story—it reflects national urgency. According to the IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2025), the United States produces $30.5 trillion in GDP compared to China’s $19.2 trillion. Yet scale alone is not prosperity. The World Bank reports U.S. GDP per capita at $85,800 versus China’s $13,300, with purchasing-power parity widening the gap further: $89,100 for the U.S. versus $29,000 for China. America’s edge depends not just on size, but on productivity, innovation velocity, and leadership density. Without bold intervention, even the strongest headline numbers will not secure broad prosperity.
GEN’s relocation signals more than a change of address. It is a declaration that prosperity cannot be measured by size alone—it must be built by activating human potential in every community.
If you believe in activating talent, strengthening businesses, and proving that America can out-produce, out-innovate, and out-lead the next 250 years of global sustainability, connect with me, message me directly, or reach out at eliz@gradbank.org
Source: press release
