Here at the League, we’re grateful every day. We have a team that’s committed to building a stronger Michigan, allies who are full of heart, policy goals that are improving lives, exciting data visualizations and a really great popcorn maker. This year we continue our annual Thanksgiving edition of Factually Speaking, and our tradition of sharing what makes us feel grateful.
 Gilda Jacobs, President and CEO: I am thankful that the asset test for food assistance has been raised so that more families in Michigan can enjoy the holiday season and every day with more food on their tables and less stress in their lives. |
 Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Chief Operations Officer: I am especially grateful for family this year. My young adult son was one of the many who moved out of Michigan after he graduated from college. As proof that they sometimes come back, he and his wife have bought a home in Michigan! |
 Kelsey Perdue, Kids Count Project Director: I’m thankful for a national day off that allows my whole family to be home together. After a tough year, I’m thankful for growth, health, loved ones, vacations, good books and opportunities to live life to the fullest. |
 Renell Weathers, Community Engagement Director: I am grateful for family, friends and the MLPP Team, who passionately work on behalf of families in Michigan so their success is not predetermined by where they live. I’m also grateful for all the people I meet across the state who battle every day for better policies to improve their community. |
 Jayme Vosovic, Community Engagement Specialist West Michigan Region: This Thanksgiving I am thankful that I get to work for an organization that supports workers and their families by providing actual vacation AND sick time. Too often, Michiganders and other Americans are forced to give up their vacation time to recover from a cold. Even worse, many more are forced to work sick because they have no time off. Vacation time is not a luxury; it is needed to make sure people can live healthy lives physically, mentally and spiritually. |
 Pat Sorenson, Senior Policy Analyst: I am grateful for the opportunity to work for change, and for the company of colleagues who teach and inspire me. |
 Parker James, Kids Count Policy Analyst: I’m thankful for family, friends and colleagues that shine bright—and light up my life—as the nights get longer. And for good food, good music and good policy of course—and all the people who make these good things happen! |
 Phyllis Killips, Assistant to the President: I am thankful for many things but most of all my three children, son-in-law and the newest addition to our family—a kitten named Nala, as well as family and friends. I am also thankful to work for a dynamo CEO in a great office with lots of wonderful people. |
 Tillie Kucharek, Graphic Designer: If I had been born at a different time or place, my life would have undoubtedly been very different than it is today, but I would hope that I would still be grateful for everything and everyone that I have in my life. Showing gratitude is one of the simplest things we can do for one another. Thanksgiving isn’t just a day … it’s a way to live our lives each and every day. |
 Emily Jorgensen, Communications Assistant: I am so grateful for my amazing family, my cozy lil house and my crazy lil pupper who never gives anything less than 1,000% in anything she does. But I am particularly grateful this year for my job at the League. I’ve only been here for a few months, but those few months have been life changing. The League works hard for the people of Michigan, especially those who are so often overlooked. Therefore, I feel grateful just for this position, just for the opportunity to help in any small way. But then there are my colleagues. I am so humbled, honored and pleased to work with you. You are incredible fighters for equity, seekers of justice, believers in the power of kindness (and showing it time and time and time again), sharers of time, thoughts and baked goods, fans of laughter and creators of joy (especially when heavy hearts need it) … I’m so grateful for all of you. |
 Simon Marshall-Shah, State Policy Fellow: I am thankful for my family and my friends, all of whom supported me as I made my move to Lansing this year. And, I’m thankful for my colleagues at the League, who have helped me stick the landing in the Great Lakes State, teach me so much about Michigan policies and politics and make me laugh so hard that everyone in Cubeland can hear. I feel grateful to work with such a wonderful and dedicated group of people and partners every day. |
 Amber Bellazaire, Policy Analyst: I’m grateful for my health and the health of my family and friends. I’m grateful to have such a supportive and funny partner to share this life with. And I’m grateful that, six months ago, I landed the opportunity to join the League. Not only have I learned in my new role, I’ve felt welcomed into a fierce community of dedicated and light-hearted staff. It feels great to be back home in Michigan surrounded by kind and steady people. |
 Laura Ross, Communications Director: Strong coffee and strong advocates top my list this year. I love that the League has expanded its reach and includes some of the smartest—and coolest—people around. I’m grateful for this incredible workplace, for (finally!) a coffee shop across the street and for my family, which is supportive of all my wild ideas. |
 Alex Rossman, External Affairs Director: My gratitude list continues to grow each year, and there’s a lot to be thankful for at work and at home. I’m so grateful for: my wife and twin girls and all of our colleagues, friends and family who help support and care for us; my work family, especially our CEO and new inductee to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Gilda Jacobs and all she’s done for our state; the Legislature’s continued bipartisan support of important justice reforms, including passing Raise the Age; and my former boss and new Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her department heads, who are tackling important policy changes like raising the asset test limit for state assistance programs and expanding overtime eligibility for more workers. I’m also thankful for having my own home to decorate this Halloween and two Friday the 13ths this year, and I’m looking forward to watching the Lions and Michigan basketball and football games this week—and hoping for wins all around! |
 Peter Ruark, Senior Policy Analyst: I am grateful that Michigan is making baby steps toward creating a better environment for workers, as shown through the governor’s commitment to make the right to overtime available to more workers, the attorney general’s commitment to go after payroll fraud and protect whistleblowers, and the policy change that will make it easier for workers who have been laid off or have had their hours cut to receive food assistance. I am also grateful that my own job enables me to advocate for these things and that my co-workers and I can celebrate such policy victories together—one of the wonderful perks of working for a mission-driven organization! |
 Dwayne Barnes, Community Engagement Specialist Metro Detroit: I am grateful for amazing community partners, great colleagues, hot food and a growing family on Thanksgiving! |
 Brandon Betz, Policy Analyst: I’m thankful for the millions of Michigan taxpayers who fund our public services every year, especially those with little disposable income to start with. This year, I’m especially grateful for the activists and organizers on the ground who are fighting to make Michigan a better place for everyone. Their dedication and service are paramount to our success. |
 Christina Alexander, Bookkeeper: This year, I am grateful to my friends and family for their support and to be able to work for an employer who not only does wonderful work for the community but appreciates its employees as well. |
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.
