We all have our own family holiday traditions, and here at our League family, we have made it an annual Thanksgiving tradition for our staff to share their gratitude. While things look and feel a lot different than anyone could have ever imagined this year, you will see that our commitment to our work, the people of this state that we serve, each other, and you—our partners and supporters—is as strong as ever.
 Gilda Jacobs, President and CEO: I am thankful for our big and small policy wins and our amazing staff who helped make them all happen during these most challenging several months. And I am personally very thankful for my incredible circle of friends and family who supported me during some very difficult times this past year. |
 Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Chief Operations Officer: Although 2020 has been a very difficult year and one unlike any other year of my life, I have tried to be intentional about focusing on gratitude. I am grateful for my youngest grandson, Jackson George, who made this year so much brighter with his birth in March of this year. I am grateful that for the first time in many years, all of my children and their spouses and their children are back here in Michigan. I am grateful that my mostly retired spouse finds preparing dinner every evening for the three of us to be the highlight of his day (and ours!). And I am grateful for my League family. I get to work with the best folks, who are all in the fight every day to make Michigan a more just and equitable state. |
 Phyllis Killips, Assistant to the President: After what has turned out to be a very difficult year, I continue to be very grateful for being able to work from the safety of our homes. I am also very grateful for my three children who mean the world to me, as well as my wonderful family and good friends. I try to count my blessings every day. |
 Tillie Kucharek, Graphic Designer: I’m grateful for my family and friends and a place to work that allows their team to work from home. And I cannot forget the front line caregivers who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe and healthy. |
 Emily Jorgensen, Communications Assistant: I’m thankful for my family, friends and incredible colleagues. I’m thankful for the helpers. I’m thankful for the everyday heroes who are getting us through this pandemic. And I’m thankful for the technology that enables us to stay connected as we physically distance. |
 Simon Marshall-Shah, State Policy Fellow: This year, I am especially thankful for my health and the health of my family and friends. I’m grateful for our team at the League that has continued full steam ahead since March, and to our leadership for ensuring we have what we need to do so successfully and sustainably. A few others on my mind include the somewhat-extended Michigan fall we had this year, which meant we could bask in November sun; comedians on Instagram who keep me laughing; my sweet cat Reggie for keeping me company; plus any and all of the silver linings folks have been able to find for themselves in the midst of an unprecedented year. |
 Amber Bellazaire, Policy Analyst: I’m thankful for the health of my daughter, my partner, parents and grandparents. I’m thankful that I have a job that I enjoy with coworkers I deeply respect. And as we approach the end of a trying year, I’m especially thankful for all of the people who work in the service and healthcare industries. To the nurses, child care providers, grocers, and many other essential workers: thank you! |
 Alex Rossman, External Affairs Director: These trying times have helped me focus on the positives in my life, including the importance of the League’s work to help people get through this crisis. I am forever grateful for my wife and twin toddlers, and all the extra time I have been able to spend with my daughters at an age where they’re changing so fast. I am thankful for all of my family and friends, including my amazing League family. I am grateful for all of our frontline and essential workers in our hospitals, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, child care centers and more. And I look forward to watching the Detroit Lions game and a great ‘80s twin-themed Thanksgiving horror movie, and fingers-crossed that the movie is the most gruesome of the two. |
 Brandon Betz, Policy Analyst: This year, I’m especially grateful for the groundswell of support for the Movement for Black Lives. It has been powerful to see my neighbors and friends become integrated in racial equity work in a serious way. Big systemic changes are coming that are rooted in the community and I am excited to see what the future brings. |
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
