Michigan Political Leadership Program

It's Testimonial Tuesday! Meet Phaedra Wainaina, MPLP 2026 Fellow!

Building Leadership Skills Through Public Service| MPLP Fellow Story What does public service leadership really look like in practice?...

What a great session in Detroit this weekend! Our MPLP fellows heard from some of the leaders in Detroit who talked about jobs, transportation, energy, education and housing. We also met with some MPLP alums running for office and even had time for a historical tour of Detroit! Many thanks to ITC Holdings Corp for partially sponsoring the weekend and to all of our presenters who showed up on a weekend to share their perspectives:

Chuck Marshall, Vice President, ITC Holdings Corp, President, ITC Michigan, ITC Holdings Corp.

Tiffany Gunter, General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)

Ken Coleman, Historian

Andre Spivey, Former State Representative

The Honorable Tyrone Carter, State Representative (2011)

Robert Lujgjuraj, Candidate for US Congress (2023)

The Honorable Michael Webber, State Senator (2006)

Esmat Ishag-Osman, Senior Advisor - Jobs & Econ Teams, Mayor's Office, City of Detroit (2021)

Rob Lockett, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (2023)

Misha Stallworth West, Former Member, Detroit Public School Board

Meet our MPLP 2026 Fellows of the Week!

Congratulations on your appointment, Derrell Slaughter (2017)
Council on Climate Solutions

Derrell Slaughter, of Lansing, is the Michigan policy director for climate and energy for the Natural Resource Defense Council. Slaughter holds a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from Michigan State University. Derrell Slaughter is reappointed for a term commencing May 14, 2026, and expiring February 3, 2030.

The Council on Climate Solutions was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-182. The Council acts in an advisory capacity to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to formulate and oversee the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which will serve as the action plan for this state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition toward economywide carbon neutrality.