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 Communications Director, Laura Ross!
1. What makes you feel drawn to your work at the League?
As a former teacher I saw firsthand the struggles that kids and their families faced when it came to making ends meet. Because of income levels, language barriers, health concerns, discrimination, and other factors, so many Michiganders face barriers to living the life they deserve. The League’s work aims to remove those barriers and create a Michigan where lives can be filled with security, satisfaction and joy.
2. What are the top three things you’ve worked on within the last year that you’re most excited about or are the most impactful?
Being the communications director is great because I get an inside look at everyone’s work, and I’m able to work with a brilliant team of analysts and communicators.
- I had the privilege of working closely with the Kids Count team on the release of the 2024 Kids Count in Michigan Data. They’ve put together some amazing materials that will help advocates and policymakers make better decisions about how to improve outcomes for kids! We had a great time celebrating the data release at our Champions for Kids event in August.
- The League has begun to explore the power of cash by looking at guaranteed income programs to help families make ends meet. At our Public Policy Forum in April we heard from Luke Shaefer and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha about the Rx Kids program in Flint, which will be piloted in other areas around the state, including Kalamazoo. It provides monthly cash payments to pregnant women from prenatal through the baby’s first year of life. There’s also the GIG A2 pilot, which targets funds to entrepreneurs and gig workers. I love that the League is looking at bold policy solutions like guaranteed income. We know that cash is effective and can give Michiganders the flexibility to pay for the necessities so they can meet their basic needs, care for loved ones, and start saving for the future.
- I’m really proud of the League’s work pushing for a statewide paid family leave plan this year. The majority of Michiganders support this low-cost, high-value program that will give workers the support they need during life’s big challenges, from maternity and paternity to personal illness to caring for aging parents. Although we didn’t get the win we were hoping for in 2024, we’re going to continue to work on this issue until we see it signed into law.
3. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A stand-up comedian or a psychologist. I eventually became a teacher, which is kind of a combo of those careers, when you think about it!
4. If you were an animal, what would you be?
A quokka! During the Covid lockdown, my son was on Zoom for his fifth grade class, and I overheard one of the kids talking about a quokka. I sneaked into the room behind my son because I had never heard of such a thing and the teacher started sharing pictures. I was entranced. They are the most peculiar and adorable creatures I have ever seen.
5. List any random fun fact about yourself!
History is my favorite! I love being able to follow threads to the past and learn about how people lived hundreds or thousands of years ago. But there’s a reason that most of those threads lead only to those with privilege: most hardworking folks—especially women—were relegated to the margins and eventually wiped right off the page. Paying attention to the past should empower us to build a brighter future where more stories are deemed important. And where all people have a right to be on the page.
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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.
