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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*?

May 9, 2023?

Contact: [email protected]??

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*Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions*?

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*LANSING, Mich. ?* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, and Michigan Freedom Trail Commission.?

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*Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs*?

Alexandra Nassar, of Grand Blanc, is an attorney and owner of Alexandra Nassar, PLLC. She has practiced law in Flint, Michigan for over 15 years and is the president of the Arab American Heritage Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science?from the University of Michigan-Flint?and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Ms. Nassar is reappointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring April 19, 2027.??

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John Daoud, of Troy, is the Director of Human Resources at the Arab American and Chaldean Council. (ACC). He has served the community as a member of the Ford Fund Multicultural Advisory Committee, DTE Community Advisory Council, Eastern Michigan University Detroit Campus Advisory Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Detroit Historical Society Board, and Lions of Michigan Council of Governors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Albion College and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from?Western Michigan University. Mr. Daoud is reappointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring April 19, 2027.?

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Lina Hourani-Harajli, of Dearborn, is the Chief Operating Officer at ACCESS, the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the nation. She oversees all of ACCESS? program areas, encompassing more than 100 programs dedicated to empowering the diverse communities the agency serves and all operational departments, including Communications and Marketing, Human Resources, Facilities, and Information Technology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Business Administration, and Finance from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ms. Hourani-Harajli is reappointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring April 19, 2027.?

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Nadine Kalasho Khalil, of West Bloomfield, is the President of CODE Legal Aid. She co-founded CODE in response to the influx of refugees coming from the Middle East in 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and is a graduate of Wayne State University. Ms. Kalasho is reappointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring April 19, 2027.?

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The Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs advises the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Governor on issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and promotes awareness of their culture and history. They also work to empower, promote, and advance the Middle Eastern American community in Michigan.?

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These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.?

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*Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board ("Children's Trust Fund")*?

Tammy L. Bernier, of Saginaw, is the owner and CEO of the Duperon Corporation and a member of the Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Council Great Lakes Bay Region Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University.? Ms. Bernier is reappointed to represent the business community for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025.?

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Earl R. Major, of Laingsburg, is the vice president of human resources for Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Purdue University. Mr. Major is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025.?

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Jill M. Hoffman, of Skandia, is an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Marquette County Prosecutor?s office and an instructor at Northern Michigan University and the NMU Regional Police Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and holds a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. Ms. Hoffman is reappointed to represent the legal community for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025.?

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Amy Tattrie Loepp, of Bloomfield Hills, is co-founder and past president of Impact100 Oakland County, a non-profit women?s organization that seeks to aid residents of Oakland County by awarding impactful, large-scale grants in their community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social work from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Health Administration from Central Michigan University. Ms. Loepp is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025.?

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Kelle Ilitch, of Bloomfield Hills, is currently the Co-Owner and Founder of PureRyde Cycling and Pilates, where she launched the PureRyde concept, curriculum, and brand. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Administration and School and Community Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Ilitch is reappointed to represent parents for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025.?

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Dr. Steve Bland, of Detroit, is the senior pastor of Liberty Temple Baptist Church. He is also the Senior Advisor and Immediate Past President of The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity. Dr. Bland holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Theology & Pastoral Care from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond. Dr. Bland is appointed to represent the religious community for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring December 19, 2025. He succeeds Amy Bigman whose term has expired.?

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The Children's Trust Fund (CTF) was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982 and serves as a voice for Michigan's children and families and promotes their health, safety, and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.?

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These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.?

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*Michigan Arts and Culture Council*?

Nafeesah Symonette, of Grosse Pointe Woods, is the Co-Founder & Network Coordinator of Arts Education, Advocacy and Research - Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA) at Connect Detroit and an Adjunct Professor at Oakland University. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting with a K-12 Teaching Certification and her Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Symonette is appointed for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring September 1, 2024. She succeeds Germain Williams who has resigned. ?

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The Michigan Arts and Culture Council serves to encourage, develop, and facilitate an enriched environment of creative and cultural activity in Michigan. The Council envisions a Michigan where every citizen celebrates the state's cultural treasures and arts, and cultural experiences are accessible to all its citizens.??

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These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.?

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*Michigan Freedom Trail Commission*?

Patrina Chatman, of Detroit, is the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. In her time with the museum she has supervised, planned, and/or researched all exhibitions, including installation and deinstallation of more than 100 exhibitions and displays. She holds a Bachelor of Arts?in English from Wayne State University. Ms. Chatman is appointed to represent the museum of African American history in Detroit for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring February 1, 2027. She succeeds Neil Barclay whose term has expired.??

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Rochelle Danquah, of Farmington Hills, is an adjunct professor at Oakland University and Doctoral History candidate at Wayne State University. ?She has served on the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission since 2009 and is widely considered an expert on Michigan?s history with the underground railroad. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Humanities and History from Central Michigan University. Ms. Danquah is appointed to represent a member of the academic community knowledgeable in African American history for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring February 1, 2027. She succeeds Angela Dillard whose term has expired.?

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Adelaide Lancaster, of Ypsilanti, is the founder of The Slipstream and co-founder of We Stories. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Colgate University, Master of Art Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia, a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from Columbia, and an Honorary doctorate from Fontbonne University for anti-racism work she has done. Ms. Lancaster is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing May 9, 2023, and expiring February 1, 2027. She succeeds Diedra Mayweather whose term has expired.?

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The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission preserves, protects and promotes the rich legacy of the Underground Railroad and the antislavery movement in Michigan.??

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These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.?

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