Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a number of promotions and hires within the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG). Notably, Michelle Richard is returning to the EOG as a senior literacy advisor, working to boost literacy rates in Michigan. She currently serves as the deputy director in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.
The changes include:
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- Lily Wenkel, executive assistant to the deputy chief of staff. She joined the Executive Office of the Governor in September 2023 as an intern with the Office of Community Engagement. Lily graduated from Michigan State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology.
- Emma Young, deputy director of policy. She has been with the executive office for over four years, previously serving as the education policy advisor. Prior to that, she worked as a policy analyst, policy assistant, and issue specialist in Emma earned a bachelor’s degree in social relations and policy and international relations with a minor in Arabic from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.
- Tom Zimnicki, environment and climate policy advisor. He brings a decade of experience in the public and private sectors, working on water, agriculture, and land use policy in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. He holds a Master of Science in environmental science and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University.
- Abrielle Matibag, public affairs specialist. She joined the EOG in May 2022 as an intern with constituent services. In May 2023, she was hired full-time as an issue specialist and was later promoted to executive assistant to the deputy chief of staff. Abrielle graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy.
- Jada Weatherspoon, legislative advisor. In her role, she will be supporting the governor’s legislative agenda and relationships in both the House and Senate. Previously, she served as the House Associate Liaison. Prior to joining the administration, Weatherspoon served as a staffer in the Michigan House, assisting constituents, handling a range of issues, and working with local stakeholders. She is a graduate of Wayne State University.
- Rebecca Besaw, deputy legal counsel. She previously served as an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel and senior advisor in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that, she served as associate counsel to the mayor’s office in New York City. Rebecca received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas.
