As Gilda Jacobs retires from the League, we’re all doing a lot of reflection about working with such an incredible leader. And as we’re in a season of gratitude, we wanted to take some time to show Gilda how much she has meant to us as individuals, to the League as a trusted organization, and to Michigan as a whole.
 Karen Holcomb-Merrill, Chief Operations Officer: I feel so blessed to have had Gilda as a boss, mentor and dear friend. Her vision and time at the League led to many important policy changes that have improved the lives of thousands and thousands of Michiganders who have faced barriers in supporting themselves and their families. She grew and elevated the League’s work, including creating a community engagement team that helps center community voices and experiences in all of what the League does. Gilda brought positive energy to everything she did and created an office culture of genuine caring and compassion toward one another (and to ourselves through healthy work-life balance). She will be deeply missed, but her impact on the League will live on. |
 Kelsey Perdue, Kids Count Project Director: Gilda is an incredibly kind person, gifted with infectious energy and optimism. She is also tough, powerful and gets things done. What an incredible leader and an amazing woman – a Women’s Hall of Famer, to be exact – to serve alongside. It’s been an honor to work with you, Gilda. I have learned and grown under your leadership, and will never forget how you made me and our whole workspace feel — supportive and bright, even in tough times. |
 Renell Weathers, Community Engagement Director: Gilda, you have been an inspiration and have left an indelible imprint of an exemplary leader. And beyond leading the League, you have charted the course for others to follow. Equal to all of this, you have been a dear friend and our bond remains. The level of trust you imparted to the staff helped elevate the work and success of the League. Forever grateful. |
 Jayme Vosovic, Community Engagement Specialist West Michigan Region: I am so thankful for the caring environment that Gilda created. She always made a point to stop at my desk and ask how I was doing. At first I assumed this was work-related, but Gilda corrected me, “No. How are YOU doing?” She really wanted to know what was happening in the lives of her staff; her care and enthusiasm for us always showed through. |
 Parker James, Kids Count Policy Analyst: Thank you Gilda for being such a thoughtful and caring leader! It was clear right away when I started working at the League that you value people on a deep level and use your position to advocate effectively for others. I admire so much about what you’ve accomplished, the culture you helped create at the League and the way you are as a person! |
 Phyllis Killips, Assistant to the President: I am so grateful to have been Gilda’s assistant these past 11 years. She has helped me grow in my job and her sense of humor and making the office a relaxing place to work I will never forget. The many fun trips we took as a staff were due to her. I think my most fun memory was when we all went bowling and then played laser tag. Somehow I couldn’t find myself to shoot at her. Lol She has also been a great fundraiser for the organization which was crucial for the organization in my opinion. Thank you Gilda we will all miss you. |
 Emily Jorgensen, Digital Communications Specialist: Gilda is truly special. Her work and leadership are driven by her compassion. She is a calm, steadfast advocate who leads by example. I am so glad I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Gilda. Her joyful wit, kindness, strong convictions, thoughtfulness, and patient listening and reasoning are just some of the attributes I admire most and will carry with me. Thank you for everything you have done for the people of Michigan and all of us at the League, Gilda. I hope your retirement is full of all the goodness you deserve! |
 Simon Marshall-Shah, Policy Analyst: Gilda has made being an effective and kind leader look so effortless. I appreciate her commitment to our work at the League and her genuine interest in ensuring that staff felt supported, heard and trusted. As a newer Michigander, I always appreciated her periodic check-ins to make sure I was finding new things to do in Lansing and across the state. Plus, I always enjoyed talking about what we’d been cooking lately (even without as many chances to eat together at the office kitchen as of late). Thank you, Gilda, for making the League a wonderful place to work–even through a global pandemic–and for your decades of service in our Great Lakes State! |
 Amber Bellazaire, Policy Analyst: Gilda, I’m grateful to have joined the League while you were at the helm. You have been one of the best, most affable bosses I’ve ever had. I love that you are direct but never intimidating. You’re funny and warm but never one to waste time. Strategic yet always humble. In so many ways you strike an inspiring balance. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to the League over the past 11 years. Congratulations on a truly well-deserved retirement. |
 Peter Ruark, Senior Policy Analyst: Gilda, has been great to have at the helm of the MLPP. She brought the organization forward through the past eleven years and helped it to grow and evolve–externally by helping to enhance our presence and reputation for expertise in the state policy world and also internally by expanding staff and developing workplace policies to help make life and work easier for staff (i.e. paid family leave, vision coverage). Gilda’s presence in the office has been encouraging and affirming; almost every morning she would stop by each person’s office to say hello, ask about our families, etc. She instituted such “extra-curricular” things as staff community projects and outings that helped build camaraderie while we took a small break from the work we love. We wish her well in her well-earned retirement! |
 Dwayne Barnes, Community Engagement Specialist Metro Detroit: Gilda, I appreciate all the times we shared talking, sharing ideas and building together. I could always count on your honesty, candidness and thoughtful insights. I also want to thank you for the vision and leadership you provided the League. It is my hope to stay connected personally and professionally. Let’s grab a coffee and solve all of the problems in the world 😉 |
 Rachel Richards, Fiscal Policy Director: Gilda really believes in the mission and vision of the League, and making lives better for all Michiganders extended to her staff. She made this clear in the work culture she created–by regularly reviewing and updating our internal policies to make them better and more worker-friendly, encouraging staff to take the time off to rest and recharge, and always finding things to celebrate together as our little work family. She created an environment where a healthy work-life balance was not only possible, it was expected. And I am deeply grateful for that. |
 Monique Stanton, President/CEO: Gilda’s passion and leadership has made Michigan a better place for so many people. Through her leadership, she created a warm, passionate, and dedicated team committed to doing the hard work of community engagement and public policy change. Thank you Gilda for being so kind, welcoming, and thoughtful as I learn my new role. It’s an honor to follow in your footsteps. |
 Haley Robins, Digital Communications Assistant: Thank you, Gilda, for not only being an incredible and thoughtful boss, but even more so of a role model for myself, and so many others. You care so deeply about your staff and it shows in your work and dedication to the League. When I joined the League as a college sophomore and as I write this now as a college senior, your grace and kindness are some things that have carried me through the last few years working with you and I’ll sincerely miss that. I hope we can give you as warm of a sendoff as your welcome to me was two years ago and I wish you all the best in retirement! |
 Laura Ross, Communications Director: You’ve spent your entire career serving Michiganders, and you’re a woman who lifts up other women. It has been an absolute honor to work with you and learn lessons about leadership, values, relationships, parenting, and even home improvement (I promise not to try doing my own electrical work!) I know you’ll continue to teach, nurture and lead outside of the workplace, and I look forward to all your future lessons. And I’m happy to serve as a travel companion so that I can learn all about retirement. 😉
Cheers on a career well spent, and cheers to a bright future ahead. Love you so much, Gilda! |
 Kelli Bowers, Kids Count Data Analyst: Though I have not known Gilda long, it did not take long for me to realize how great of a leader she is. She brings unity, strength, and hope to the realm of public policy, and it is inspiring to watch. I can only hope to do a fraction of the great work she has done in her lifetime. |
 Julie Cassidy, Senior Policy Analyst: In everything Gilda does, she brings her commitment to making sure everyone has a high quality of life–from working for state-level policy change to treating our entire staff to impromptu ice cream cones in the summer. She is a model of empathy and authenticity, and her continued optimism during this time of striking political division inspires all of us to keep fighting for what’s right. We’re sad to see her go, but her mark on the League and the state of Michigan will remain for years to come! |
 Anne Kuhnen, Tax Policy Analyst: Gilda’s commitment to the mission of the League, her strong leadership as a policy advocate, as well as her deep concern for others, including her staff, has been inspiring. Thank you, Gilda, for making the League such a warm and welcoming place and congratulations on a very well-deserved retirement! |
 Jazmin Anderson, Graphic Designer: I wasn’t familiar with who Gilda was before I started working at the League, but I quickly learned how amazing she is as a leader, as an ally, and an overall human. She is one of the kindest and thoughtful people I’ve met. Gilda, thank you for being you. I look forward to continue learning from the imprint that you have left on this organization and the people here. |
 Alex Rossman, External Affairs Director: I have had the honor of working with Gilda while she was a Senator as well a CEO and have always admired her as a boss, a mentor and a friend. She is an authentic person, a passionate and compassionate leader, and a devoted advocate to Michigan and its people. She has left a lasting legacy on the many lives she touched directly, including mine, as well as the millions of lives she’s helped improve through public policy. Her decades of public service are greatly appreciated, as are the insights, wisdom and humor that she shared with me and the League family. She will be greatly missed in our workplace, but will continue to inspire us every day. |
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.
