Have you ever wanted to know more about the people behind the research and data here at the League? Five Fast Facts does just that — it’s a blog series where we introduce and share a little bit about ourselves. Get to know us and what makes us who we are!
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Here are Five Fast Facts with our Chief Operating Officer, Karen Holcomb-Merrill!
1. What makes you feel drawn to your work at the League?
I came to the League 17 years ago (gulp!). And over that time I have watched the League grow and evolve. I am particularly proud of how the League strives to center all of its work around the communities and people most impacted by our state budget and public policy work. Those with lived experiences know best what they need to thrive. Our community engagement team is exactly that–in the community, engaging folks. What they hear and what they learn shapes our state budget and policy priorities, and the work that our policy analysts do – giving voice to our community partners.
2. What are the top three things your team is working on this year that you feel is most impactful?
a. Our team is working hard this year to mitigate the harm that has been caused and will be caused by the federal bill that was passed last year. Among other harmful things, the bill will cause Michiganders to lose food assistance and access to healthcare, at a time when folks are already struggling to make ends meet. The League is working with policymakers and through the state budget process and the policymaking process to reduce the harm that this will cause Michigan families, wherever possible.
b. If you have followed the League for long, you know that January through at least June (in a good year) is state budget season. We provide people-centered budget recommendations to lift up Michiganders who have been left out of prosperity. And we follow those with an analysis of the governor’s proposed budget. The League updates partners, provides testimony and meets with policymakers throughout this process to highlight the needs of those in marginalized communities. This work is more important than ever this year because, simply put, there is not enough money to fund all of the essential things that Michiganders need. So in addition to its state budget work, the League, in partnership with others, is talking about the need to increase state revenues. We don’t have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem.
c. Outside of my League work, I work with faith leaders and faith communities to support compassionate public policies that honor the humanity and dignity of all people, particularly the most vulnerable among us. Wearing each of these hats, I see the importance of the work that the League and its partners are doing to protect immigrants and immigrant families in our state. This includes protecting immigrants from ICE and passing legislation that would ensure that there are some safe spaces where ICE cannot be, including schools, places of worship and hospitals. While also lifting up the important role that immigrants play in our state.
3. What did you want to be when you grew up?
As I was growing up, I always planned to be an attorney. I was in a pre-law program at Albion College. I was accepted into the University of Michigan law school, but then decided to pursue a career in nonprofit advocacy for important causes. Instead of becoming a Wolverine, I married into the Spartan family!
4. What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
I love the four seasons (although winter could end in January), but autumn in Michigan is the best!
5. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
“May swear a lot while watching sporting events.”
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See our previous Five Fast Facts:
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.
