Issues and Topics

Maisha Massey is a Detroit native, educator, researcher and advocate committed to creating more equitable experiences for young people and the communities that support them. She currently teaches 11th-grade English Language Arts in Detroit Public Schools Community District and serves as a TeachMichigan Michigan Education Policy Fellow. Maisha holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Wayne State University, where her research centers the experiences of Black girls in schools. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful policy should be informed by the voices and lived experiences of the students, educators and communities most impacted by it.

Contact: mmassey@mlpp.org

Betsy Zobl-Tar is the League’s first Grants Manager, beginning her role in 2026. Her career has focused on nonprofit administration across multiple agencies in Michigan, most recently at Michigan Humane. Betsy combines a passion for research and writing with a drive for policies that promote equity for all Michiganders. As part of the Development Team, she helps build a strong foundation and healthy future for the League’s critical work.

Betsy earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in history and philosophy and her Master of Arts in English from Oakland University. She has taught college-level writing at multiple institutions in metro Detroit and is currently an instructor at Wayne State University’s School of Social Work. Betsy is a native Michigander and can’t imagine living anywhere else with her husband, three dogs, permanent kayak rack and bike. She has three grown children who, as she says, “willingly spend time with her in public.”

Contact: bzobltar@mlpp.org

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.

Before joining the League, he designed and implemented evaluations for USDA-funded nutrition education and food access projects at the Michigan Fitness Foundation. He brings experience in conducting needs assessments, evaluating public health programs, and using quantitative and qualitative methods to collect, analyze, and visualize data. He is passionate about using data to communicate program impact and advocate for equitable policies and systems for Michiganders.

Jay received his Bachelor of Arts in public health from the University of Michigan and his Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is also a 2023 Bloomberg Fellow with the Bloomberg American Health Initiative with a focus in food systems.

In his free time, you can find him cooking for friends and family, heading to restaurants and concerts in Detroit, and spending time with his partner and two cats.

Contact: jcutler@mlpp.org

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.

Danielle is a graduate of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a bachelor of arts in communications and media and is currently pursuing a master of science in data analytics & policy from Johns Hopkins University, concentrating in public management.

Danielle enjoys listening to R&B music with her family, vacationing with friends and exploring different art mediums.

Contact: dtaylorbasemore@mlpp.org

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.

Contact: spreston@mlpp.org

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. 

Contact: kpowers@mlpp.org

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.

Before joining the League, Nicholas worked in the private sector, both as an economic research analyst and an auto sale research analyst, analyzing macroeconomic trends and their impact on the auto market. Before those roles, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and one in political science from Michigan State University. Additionally, Nicholas is a current third-year graduate student, in the process of obtaining his master’s degree in public policy from Michigan State.

In his spare time, Nicholas enjoys the simple pleasures of life: spending time with his cats, reading, fine wine and comfort food, weightlifting, and playing stress-inducing video games.

Contact: nhess@mlpp.org

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. 

Before joining the League, Audrey was the Communications Coordinator for the Michigan Victim Advocacy Network where she led the production of survivor-centered training videos on systemic barriers for crime victim advocates. As a third-generation Lansing native, she is proud of the various roles she’s played in the 517 –  from news reporter to community youth organizer. She is also an RCAH alum and graduated from Michigan State University with a concentration in documentary filmmaking and media.

Contact: amatusz@mlpp.org

Jacob Kaplan is currently a senior at Michigan State University studying Political Science with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. Jacob is a part of the esteemed Michigan Government Semester Program which gives students an opportunity to get hands-on experience throughout government. As a part of the program, Jacob joined the League in January 2024 to be a spring intern.  In this role he is excited to focus on a wide variety of policy issues including public transportation.

Prior to this opportunity, Jacob has interned in both the Massachusetts and Michigan House of Representatives. In these roles, he was able to learn firsthand the policy making process and he saw how important constituent correspondence was to the legislative process. Jacob is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity at Michigan State. Jacob is excited to bring his previous experience into his work for the League and is excited to learn as much as possible in his time with the League.

Contact: jkaplan@mlpp.org

Donald Stuckey II joined the League as the Metro Detroit Area Community Engagement Specialist in August of 2023. In this role, Donald works with organizations to connect the dots between policy and everyday life – ensuring that everyone has the skills, resources and knowledge to be an effective advocate. 

Previously, Donald was a Challenge Detroit Fellow at DTE Energy where he worked on issues related to sustainability. Donald also helped to develop programs and initiatives for various Detroit-based nonprofit organizations. He also spent multiple years working on public transportation issues in Metro Detroit. 

Donald has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution from Wayne State University and a Master of Public Administration & Policy from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  

Contact: dstuckey@mlpp.org

Alexandra Stamm joined the League in July 2023 as Education Policy Analyst. While teaching high school English in the Lansing area, Alex became inspired to find ways to improve Michigan’s public education system and enrolled in Michigan State University’s (MSU) Education Policy Program after eight years of teaching. As a doctoral student, Alex’s research focuses on serving students with behavioral health needs in schools.

Alex’s firsthand experience and love for working with Michigan’s youth is at the center of her research and advocacy efforts. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in English, psychology and secondary education from Albion College and a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum from MSU.

Contact: astamm@mlpp.org

Patrick Schaefer joined the League as the Economic Security Policy Analyst in July 2023. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the economic security of Michigan families and other League policy priorities.

Prior to joining the League, Patrick worked with Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan researching the financial well-being of families in the Metro Detroit area. He also brings half a decade of experience working in financial administration in the private sector. He has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in policy and political social work from the University of Michigan.

Contact: pschaefer@mlpp.org

Amari Fuller joined the League as the Grand Rapids Area Community Engagement Specialist in July 2023. In this role, she works with organizations to connect the dots between policy and everyday life – ensuring that everyone has the skills, resources and knowledge to be an effective advocate.

Previously, her work included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion experience in higher education at Hope College and in the West Michigan business community through her work at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Amari has also worked in racial justice organizing and policy advocacy at nonprofits and grassroots organizations in Chicago and southeastern Michigan. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Hope College and a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in policy and political social work from the University of Michigan.

Contact: afuller@mlpp.org

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.  

Prior to joining the League in 2023, she served for almost 17 years in local government communications for the City of East Lansing and, prior to that, worked as a reporter and associate editor for a weekly newspaper in North Carolina. Mikell has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Auburn University, where she graduated magna cum laude, with great honors. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family, travel and get outdoors for exercise with her adopted throwback Pomeranian, Quinn. 

Contact: mfrey@mlpp.org

Monique Stanton was named President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy in 2021.

Monique has dedicated her career to promoting social justice and advancing equity in Michigan. She is committed to addressing economic inequality, advancing racial equity, and promoting the health and well-being of Michiganders through public policy change. Previously, Monique served as President & CEO of CARE of Southeastern Michigan, one of Michigan’s largest peer recovery coaching programs.

She has also served on the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Substance Use Disorder Policy Oversight Board, Michigan Celebrate Recovery, Great Start Collaborative Macomb, Macomb County Prisoner Re-Entry Advisory Council, Greater Area Detroit Health Council, Michigan Community Health Association Provider Alliance, Metro Affairs Coalition Public Health Task Force and the Macomb Children’s Healthcare Access Program. 

She is a Leadership Detroit XXXVIII and Leadership Macomb XVII graduate. Monique has received the following recognitions: Macomb County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Athena Award Recipient 2020, Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Women in Healthcare 2020, Marygrove College Distinguished Alumni 2018, Detroit Free Press and Metro Affairs Coalition Shining Light Award 2014, and DBusiness Magazine 30 in Their Thirties Honoree 2013.  

Monique received her undergraduate degree from Aquinas College and a Master of Arts in Social Justice from Marygrove College.

Contact: mstanton@mlpp.org

Hannah Gyani joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in June of 2022 as the Metro Detroit Community Engagement Specialist. In her role with the league, Hannah works with organizations to connect the dots between policy and everyday life – ensuring that everyone has the skills, resources, and knowledge to be an effective advocate. She is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and building equitable communities through policy change at the local, state, and federal levels. 

Prior to joining the League, Hannah served in various capacities across the government and nonprofit sectors. Most recently she worked as a Program Operations Manager for Pontiac Community Foundation where she assisted in evaluating, planning, and implementing community development initiatives. Prior to that, she served as the Economic Development Director for U.S. Congresswoman Haley Stevens and as a Community Outreach Representative for U.S. Congressman Sander Levin. In her roles she was responsible for community engagement and outreach, advising on and researching grant opportunities, furthering economic development strategies, and connecting with public and private entities to advance policy recommendations. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Community, Policy, and Leadership, both from Wayne State University. In her spare time, you can find her listening to an audiobook or podcast at 1.5x speed, having silly conversations with her niece, or spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Contact: hgyani@mlpp.org

Kelli Vanderburg joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in September 2021 and currently serves as the Kids Count Lead Data Analyst. In this role, she oversees the collection, processing, quality control, and analysis of data for the Kids Count in Michigan project, producing data products and visualizations that inform advocacy efforts to improve outcomes for children and families across the state. Kelli also manages data governance processes, responds to data requests, and represents the League in coalitions, conferences, and community presentations, as well as serves on the National Kids Count Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the League, Kelli was a McNair Scholar and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Grand Valley State University. She also holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Michigan State University.

Contact: kvanderburg@mlpp.org

Anne Kuhnen

Anne Kuhnen is the Kids Count policy director at the Michigan League for Public Policy, where her work focuses on early childhood, family economic security and youth voice. Prior to joining the Kids Count team, she served as the League’s tax policy analyst where her research focused on policies to make Michigan’s tax code more equitable for workers, families and communities. Anne began her career in education, teaching high school math and computer science at a Title I school in Kentucky and supporting a bilingual vocational program in the Netherlands. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins, and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton, where she concentrated in economics and public policy.

Contact: annek@mlpp.org

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.

Contact: yisaacs@mlpp.org

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.

Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts in history and Spanish language and literature from Kalamazoo College and her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. In her spare time, she bakes, reads, and enjoys bike rides and hikes at the greater Lansing area parks and trails with her husband and son.

Contact: rrichards@mlpp.org

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.

Prior to moving to Michigan, Simon lived in Baltimore, Maryland where he gained experience at various community-oriented nonprofits, including a health care co-op, an organization analyzing outcomes and barriers to care in a local medication-assisted treatment program and a fiscal sponsor providing operational support to over 80 grassroots programs. Simon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Studies and Cognitive Science, as well as a Master of Science in Public Health in Health Policy with a certificate in Community-Based Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

Contact: smarshall-shah

Amber Bellazaire rejoined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a senior policy analyst in July of 2024. Her work focuses on public health. Prior to returning to the League, she served as a program officer for the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison, a policy analyst for the League focused on state policy and budget decisions affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs, and a policy associate within the Health program at the National Conference of State Legislatures where she provided technical assistance and monitored state legislation related to injury and violence prevention and maternal and child health. She is also a proud Americorps alum having served two years once on each coast. Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Contact: abellazaire@mlpp.org