Sitting down for an interview with Sonia Harb, it is very evident that her love for the Michigan League for Public Policy runs deep. As the former vice chair (2016-2023) and now the new chair of the League’s Board of Directors, we wanted community members to get to know her a little better:
Q: How did you first get introduced to the League and when did you join the League’s Board of Directors?
A: I was first introduced to the League in 2005 when I was chairperson of the state’s anti-poverty commission, called the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. Sharon Parks, who served as the president and CEO of the League at the time, used to attend every meeting to share legislative and policy updates as well as research to help advance our anti-poverty goals. Sharon and the League were an invaluable and respected source of information for that commission. I was invited to join the League’s Board of Directors several years later, in 2011, and have been serving ever since.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your professional background and how that ties into your commitment to the League?
A: I have an extensive background in human services–designing and implementing programs to address a variety of social issues, such as poverty and workforce equity. I currently serve as an engagement strategist and field instructor with the University of Michigan School of Social Work, working to conduct research with communities and advance the work of community groups on the ground. I am really passionate about the League’s work, especially the community engagement pieces of their puzzle. Engaging community and supporting grassroots advocacy is near and dear to my heart and the work the League is doing in that space is transformative.
Q: How are you feeling stepping into this new leadership role with the League’s Board of Directors?
A: I am so proud to serve in this role. Our board is made up of some of the greatest thinkers and they care deeply about the mission of the organization. We have a shared value set and ethics. I hope to help nurture that as we recruit new board members. I’m also excited to see more diversity at the table, which I believe only strengthens our ability to explore and solve problems.
Q: As the new chair of the League’s Board of Directors, what are some of the board’s shared goals for the coming year and beyond?
A: One of our big goals will be working to build our fund development capacity, which will be the focus of our upcoming board retreat. While we are in a very solid financial position, we would like to strengthen our infrastructure so that we are better equipped to take our fundraising to the next level. With that, will also come some deep exploration into how we will use new funds that are raised to continue to advance the League’s mission. As chair, I’m looking forward to shepherding that process.
We will also be building upon our equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) efforts as a board. The League’s staff have been on a bold, multi-year journey to explore and embrace the principles of EDI, while also infusing it into both the workplace and the work they do. We want to advance that work even further at the board level.
We will also be exploring further the concept of Governance as Leadership. This concept, introduced by Richard P. Chait Ph.D., William P. Ryan Ph.D. and Barbara E. Taylor, redefines nonprofit governance, focusing not just on the strategic and fiduciary functions of a board, but also on generative governance. According to Chait, Ryan and Taylor, the generative mode for a board involves working closely with executive leadership to frame problems and make sense of ambiguous situations – which in turn shapes the organization’s strategies, plans and decisions. By thinking about major challenges that impact the League and working on those issues together, we can facilitate the real, lasting change we want to see across Michigan.
Q: You have served with the League for more than 12 years and your love for the organization is evident in talking with you. Can you share what you love about the League?
A: I love that the work of the League really addresses change from a systems perspective because that is how you truly change people’s lives. The League is a force to be reckoned with and is respected across the aisle because of our amazing staff, who are all so capable and committed to what they do. And the League’s strong focus on equity, opportunity for all and anti-racism really aligns with my values. I’m so proud of the work that is being done by staff on a daily basis.
I also think that with Monique Stanton at the helm, the organization is in a solid, strong, forward-thinking position. I was the chair of the personnel committee that led the campaign to hire Monique and we are so lucky to have been able to bring her on board.
Q: What would you like to see the Michigan Legislature focus on over the coming year?
A: I would like to see the Michigan Legislature champion innovations that get at the root causes of poverty, specifically some of the focus areas that will be highlighted and explored at the League’s 2024 Public Policy Forum on Monday, April 15. I really want to see the state of Michigan invest in poverty alleviation at a systems level for the people of Michigan.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself personally?
A: I live outside of Detroit and I have been a Michigander my whole life. I’m raising two high school-aged kids that are in 9th and 11th grade, and I’m committed to helping my children be meaningful contributors to our world and society. I really love connecting with people and learning from them–it feeds me and makes me a better person.
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
