Elvira Kovachevich, Intern
By Elvira Kovachevich, Intern
As the Michigan weather changes the landscape from a frozen wonderland, to green grass sprinkled with dew, back to snow-covered roads, I could feel my spring term internship with the League drawing to a close.
Despite the weather often saying otherwise, spring is here (hopefully), and soon the summer heat will take over and eventually the crisp air will return and time will go on. As time keeps passing, I know the League will keep working.
My spring semester with the League was a whirlwind; I felt caught up in an atmosphere of change. The League’s guiding principle, “to promote racial equity, economic security, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change”, remained at the forefront of every encounter I had. I had no idea what to expect when I came here, bright-eyed and curious, on my first day, but I know what I can expect when I leave.
“The League’s staff is committed to social justice and meets frequently to continue their own education.”. We’ll miss her! <3
I know that Rachel, my intern coordinator, will keep advocating for a better Michigan. I know Laura and Alex will keep encouraging everyone to write blogs on their work, personalizing policy instead of letting it be regarded as simply words on a paper or screen. I know Renell and Jayme will continue engaging communities all over Michigan. All in all, I know the League will continue to advocate for those in our state who need it.
Throughout my internship experience, I learned about a variety of topics, from analyzing aspects of Trump’s tax plan that directly affect low-income communities to researching Michigan tax laws and how we can improve them for a better Michigan for all. My writing style alternated from being professional, analytical, and concise to being less formal and more personal in these blog posts. Most of all, I learned that there is a lot of work to be done to make Michigan an even better home to all of our citizens and that the League relentlessly works to accomplish this goal.
The League will always have a special place in my heart, and it has left an impression on me and my future goals. After this experience, I feel even more motivated to do what I can to make Michigan a better home. Upon my graduation in May, I accepted a position with a non-profit refugee resettlement agency in Grand Rapids; I will be coordinating an effort between the city of Grand Rapids and a national initiative to understand how Grand Rapids can support immigrants, refugees, and other new Americans—how Grand Rapids can make itself a home for this population.
The biggest thing I’ve learned from the League is that change will only come from dedicated work, but that not everyone who wants to make change has to be drafting a law. The power is in each and every one of our hands to advocate for not only ourselves, but for our neighbors and fellow Michiganders. So thank you to everyone at the Michigan League for Public Policy for every interaction, every story shared, every project you’ve given me—I’ll treasure it as I try to continue to make Michigan a better home too.
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.
