FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 27, 2024 

Contact: [email protected]  

Gov. Whitmer Announces Jenita Moore as Director of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships in LEO, Additional Staff Changes in Executive Office  

Additional changes include new staff promotions and hires within the executive office 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced additional promotions and hires within the department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG).   

“I am so excited to announce Jenita Moore as Deputy Director for Labor and Economic Opportunity and head of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships, to connect with and make a difference for Michigan’s faith communities,” said Governor Whitmer. “After completing one of the most productive legislatures in Michigan history, we still have a whole lot more to do. These new hires and promotions on my team will help us continue to deliver real change for Michiganders and get things done." 

“I am thrilled to welcome and continue working with these talented individuals who are committed to helping every Michigander thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As we look forward to the new year, I can’t wait to continue working with Team Michigan to address the kitchen table issues that matter most to Michigan families.”  

Executive Office Staff   

Governor Whitmer announced promotions and hires within the policy, appointments, and community engagement divisions in LEO and EOG. 

LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY 

Jenita Moore, Deputy Director in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Director of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships Division 

Jenita Moore has been appointed as deputy director of LEO and as director of faith-based and community partnerships. This position is responsible for building and strengthening the State of Michigan’s relationships with faith-based stakeholders to further Administration priorities. Moore first joined the Whitmer Administration as the Director of the Office of Community Engagement in the executive office. Moore has extensive policy and legislative experience during her two decades of service, including at the Michigan Department of State, Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and in former Governor Granholm’s office. Moore received her bachelor’s degree in public law and government from Eastern Michigan University and later earned a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University.   

PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Mikhail Perkins, Director of Public Affairs 

Mikhail Perkins has been promoted to director of public affairs. He joined the administration as a legislative affairs specialist, providing expert policy and legal analysis on legislative matters to the governor and executive leadership. Prior to this, he served as a policy advisor for the Michigan Senate Majority Democratic Staff, specializing in finance, economic and community development, and judiciary & civil rights. He also worked as a legal extern at the Saginaw Defenders Office, led former state Representative Byrd’s office as chief of staff and legislative director, and was a law clerk at White & Wojda Attorneys and Counselors. Perkins received his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law and undergraduate degree in political science from Michigan State University. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Emily Mellits, Director of the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) 

Emily Mellits has been promoted to director of OCE. Emily joined the Executive Office of the Governor in April 2023 as a community engagement specialist and later served as the deputy director of OCE. Before joining the administration, Emily served as finance director for the campaigns of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. She volunteers as a county committee member for the Macomb County Democratic Party. She has also volunteered as the chair of the Macomb County Branch NAACP Political Action Committee. Mellits started her career as a Biology and Chemistry educator at Grosse Pointe North High School. Before joining this administration, she continued her education advocacy by helping to establish the nonprofit organization Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools. She graduated from Oakland University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a teaching minor in Chemistry.   

CONSTITUENT SERVICES 

Kylie Spagnuolo, Office and Correspondence Assistant for Constituent Services 

Kylie Spagnuolo is the new Office and Correspondence Assistant for the constituent services division. She is a 2023 University of Michigan graduate, where she completed a dual major program receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. She recently studied abroad in Italy for a semester where she interned for a local LGTBQ+ organization as well as served as a DEI Peer Advisor for the Sant’Anna Institute. Spagnuolo previously interned for Democratic Floor Leader Yousef Rabhi and most recently served as the Operations Manager as well as the policy staffer for Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash in the Michigan House of Representatives. 

APPOINTMENTS 

Sarah Zoellick, Deputy Director of Appointments 

Sarah Zoellick has joined the Executive Office of the Governor as the deputy director of appointments. Before joining the administration, Zoellick served as finance director to Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, as a member of the Whitmer Gilchrist political team, beginning in March 2023. She previously served as Georgia finance director on Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock’s re-election campaign and has held additional campaign roles in finance, field organizing, and compliance. She attended the University of Michigan, where she studied International Studies with a focus on Political Economy and Development. 

Ian Earle, Appointments Specialist 

Ian Earle transitioned into a new role as an appointments specialist in October 2024 after previously serving as a constituent services specialist. Earle also previously worked as a field organizer with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. He holds a bachelor's degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from Michigan State University. 

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