For those of us who have kids, the struggles of being a new parent are unforgettable. Kids don’t come with a handbook or instruction booklet, and we often feel like we are learning as we go [...]
Losing a parent to incarceration can be very traumatic for children. Not understanding why a parent is gone and can’t come home, wondering why he or she might be far away, being frustrated [...]
The League is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff and workplace.
Parker James joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in August 2018 as the Kids Count Research Associate. He is responsible for the collection and management of data related to the Kids Count project. Prior to joining the League, Parker worked with data in various positions to advocate for vulnerable populations, including as project coordinator of a health program in Southwest Michigan, graduate research assistant at The Hilltop Institute, and housing policy intern with the National League of Cities.
Parker attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in health administration and policy. He went on to receive a master’s degree in public policy from UMBC in 2017.
contact: pjames@mlpp.org
517.487.5436
The League is proud to be partners in the following national projects:
State Priorities Partnership
Economic Analysis and Research Network
KIDS COUNT
The Working Poor Families Project
Carolyn Wreggelsworth is the League’s Bookkeeper. She has extensive experience in nonprofit accounting services, and loves to see progress in automating all aspects of the accounting system. Identifying and solving accounting glitches motivates her. She received her degree in Business from Davenport University.
Giving back to the world is one of her values. Especially the wonderful community she’s lucky to raise her family in, giving a helping hand whenever, wherever and however she can.
She loves yoga because it makes her feel good and allows her to eat more pie. Her favorite place is anywhere people are gathered to sweat, breathe and break boundaries together.
contact: 517.487.5436
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Director. As community engagement director, 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.
Renell has recently participated in the Leadership Institute for State-Based Advocates Project with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Prior to coming to the League, she worked as Senior District Representative for U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer where she collaborated with a diverse array of community leaders, agencies, grassroots organizations and local units of government. She also served as Constituent Relations Director and District Representative for the Office of Michigan Senate Minority Leader, has managed a nonprofit that provided programs for youth and families and operated a child care program.
In 2011, in recognition of her community service, Jackson College awarded Renell the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Service Award. The King Medal of Service Award recognizes individuals in Jackson for their community service and who believe in the basic tenets of cultural and ethnic diversity, recognize the richness and strength that comes from valuing others of different groups and encourage minority group members to participate fully in our society.
Renell’s career has been devoted to improving the results for families by promoting access to economic opportunities. She attended Wayne State University and holds a bachelor of arts in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University.
Contact: rweathers@mlpp.org
Alicia Guevara Warren joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in 2014 as the Tax Policy Analyst, and became the Kids Count in Michigan Project Director in June 2015. She oversees the project, which includes the collection and analysis of data to make informed policy recommendations to improve child well-being. Alicia has an extensive background advocating for improved outcomes for children and families through her work in the nonprofit sector with Michigan’s Children, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, and School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan. Additionally, as Democratic Central Staff for the Michigan House of Representatives, she served as the lead analyst on issues affecting children, families, and seniors, along with immigration, women’s health, and regulatory reform. Prior to joining the League, Alicia was with the Office of Economic Development at the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology with a specialization in law, criminology, and deviance from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a master’s of public affairs with a specialization in social and economic policy from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
Contact: aliciagw@mlpp.org
Pat Sorenson rejoined the League staff in September 2012 as a senior policy analyst working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, Pat was the senior director for policy and advocacy at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation; the vice president for policy at Michigan’s Children; and a senior planning and research associate at the League, serving as the organization’s first Kids Count director.
Pat has more than 30 years of experience in monitoring and analyzing state budgets and policies affecting low income families and children, including the founding and management of Michigan’s Children’s Budget Watch project. Pat received her law degree in 1986 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan in 1978. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Contact: psorenson@mlpp.org
Emily Schwarzkopf joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in December 2016 as a policy analyst. Prior to joining the League, Emily served as the appropriations coordinator for Democratic Central Staff for the Michigan House of Representatives. She also has served as a policy advisor for the Democratic Central Staff as the lead advisor on health policy, military and veterans affairs, and the Medicaid budget. Emily worked very closely on the development of Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program otherwise known as “Healthy Michigan”. Prior to her service in the House, Emily was the membership engagement coordinator at the Small Business Association of Michigan and an intern in the Office of the Legislative Liaison at the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Central Michigan University. She has also completed a policy fellowship with the University of Michigan’s Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation and the Michigan Political Leadership Program through Michigan State University.
Contact: eschwarzkopf@mlpp.org
Peter Ruark has worked at the League since 2001 and currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst. He specializes in public policy related to adult skill enhancement, college financial aid, job quality, public assistance and corrections. He is active in national groups including the Working Poor Families Project and the Economic Analysis Research Network, and served on the board of the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Peter was awarded the President’s Award from the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education for his advocacy on behalf of adult education funding, and was recently featured on NPR’s Marketplace, where he discussed at length Michigan’s use of federal public assistance funds for various state programs.
Prior to joining the League in 2001, Peter directed an after-school tutoring program for at-risk children in Grand Rapids, taught English at the university and high school levels in China and worked in the mental health field. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and psychology from Calvin College and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in policy, planning and administration from Western Michigan University.
Contact: pruark@mlpp.org
Alex Rossman joined the League staff in 2015 as communications director. He handles writing, editing and messaging, media relations and social media for the League to help ensure our work gets the attention it deserves. Prior to joining the League, Alex worked for Democratic Central Staff for the Michigan Senate for almost ten years, serving as the deputy communications director and, previously, as press secretary and communications advisor, helping draw attention to the important legislative issues facing our state. He previously worked in communications for the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy as well.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and sports management from Aquinas College, where he also ran cross country and track. Alex grew up in Lansing, and used to ride his bike through Old Town where he now works.
Contact: arossman@mlpp.org
Laura Ross is an educator and writer with a background in communications. She has taught English and journalism in the Lansing area since 2005 and prior to that worked in community development as director of the Old Town Commercial Association. Her dedication to writing, research and social justice is what prompted her to seek a communications position with the League.
Laura has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Michigan State University with minors in journalism and history, as well as a Master of Arts in secondary education from Grand Valley State University. She loves to read, listen to podcasts and walk the trails with her husband, son and Moose (the dog).
Contact: lauramr@mlpp.org
Rachel Richards joined the League staff in 2015. She monitors tax policy and promotes economic opportunity through state fiscal policy. Prior to joining the League, she worked for Democratic Central Staff for the Michigan House of Representatives since 2009, serving as the Appropriations Coordinator and, previously, as the lead analyst on tax policy, commerce, and local government issues.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and Spanish from Kalamazoo College. She received her law degree in 2008 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Contact: rrichards@mlpp.org
Mary Logan, administrative support staff, joined the League in 1979 after earning her associate’s degree from Lansing Community College. Among other duties, Mary proofreads and formats reports, handles governmental communications and takes registrations for the public policy forums.
Contact: mlogan@mlpp.org
Tillie Kucharek is the League’s graphic designer. She is responsible for design and layout of graphics and formatting publications, reports, creating charts and tables, and posting web content. She joined the League staff in 1989. She attended Kendall School of Design and received an associate’s degree from Lansing Community College in 1988.
contact: tkucharek@mlpp.org
Phyllis Killips is the administrative assistant to the president & CEO. She has worked at the League since her graduation from Lansing’s Eastern High School in 1977. Among other duties, Phyllis tracks fund-raising for the organization, takes minutes at board meetings, distributes Kids Count reports and organizes the calendar of the president & CEO.
Contact: pkillips@mlpp.org
Jenny Kinne joined the League staff as community engagement specialist in 2016. Prior to joining the League, she worked for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, serving as West Michigan community organizer, where she built volunteer programming and community training initiatives to foster political activism.
Jenny holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and literature from American University.
Contact: jkinne@mlpp.org
Karen Holcomb-Merrill currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer with the League. In that capacity, Karen oversees the League’s public policy and advocacy work. Karen is an experienced coalition-builder and advocate. Prior to coming to the League, Karen was the Public Policy Consultant for Tobacco-Free Michigan, working for smoke-free laws. Before her tenure at Tobacco-Free Michigan, Karen served as the Executive Director of Common Cause in Michigan for 14 years.
Karen is a graduate of Albion College, with a degree in Political Science and an emphasis in Public Policy.
Contact: karenhm@mlpp.org
Victoria Crouse joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2017. Prior to coming to the League, Victoria served as a public policy intern at the North Carolina Justice Center’s Budget and Tax Center where she specialized in immigration and workforce development policy. Victoria is also a longtime advocate of immigrant rights and has worked to advance the cause as an organizer and leader for several pro-immigrant groups in North Carolina.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in community, management and policy practice, also from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Contact: vcrouse@mlpp.org
Julie Cassidy joined the League as a policy analyst in 2017. Before that, she spent 14 years working as a legislative analyst for the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency, where she specialized in health, energy and environmental issues. Julie also has an extensive volunteer history of strategic planning and building community partnerships related to local environmental stewardship efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in social relations from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and a Master of Arts in public policy, also from MSU.
Contact: jcassidy@mlpp.org
Gilda Z. Jacobs has served as president & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy since 2011, following a 30-year career in public service at the local, county and state levels. Gilda has won numerous awards for her work, including being named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2016 and receiving the Michigan Food Bank Council’s Hunger-Free Award in 2015. In 2012, she participated in the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in the Nonprofit Leadership Program. Gilda served in the state Senate for eight years after serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives where she made history as the first woman floor leader in either chamber of the Legislature. Prior to serving in the Legislature, she served as an Oakland County Commissioner and a Huntington Woods City Commissioner.
In addition to her civic leadership, Jacobs served as Development Director for JARC, a Jewish association providing residential care for persons with developmental disabilities. She also worked as a special education teacher in the Madison School District. Jacobs received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan.
