MI-CEMI Staff
Chuck Warpehoski, Executive Director
Chuck has decades of experience bringing people together across differences in the nonprofit, government, and religious sectors.
He served for sixteen years as the Director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice in Ann Arbor, MI and for six years on Ann Arbor City Council. Chuck has successfully led campaigns to expand public transit, increase affordable housing funding, and improve police accountability.
Michael Taylor, Program Coordinator
Michael is an entrepreneur, prison reform activist, and the founder/host of the 17 Winters Podcast, a platform dedicated to discussions on reentry, reform, and prison-related issues.
After serving 17 years in prison, Michael has dedicated his life to ending mass incarceration and promoting crime and violence prevention among youth. Since his return home in 2015, he has served on various boards, developed reentry program curricula, and mentored individuals in his community. Michael’s personal journey and professional expertise make him a passionate advocate for reform and a leader in supporting successful reentry initiatives.
Steering Team Members & Organizations
Gabrielle Dresner
Policy Strategist, American Civil Liberties Union
Liz Balck
West Michigan Advocacy Strategist, American Civil Liberties Union
Natalie Holbrook
Program Director, American Friends Service Committee
Skylar Gillette
Program Administrator and Organizer, American Friends Service Committee
Giftie Umo, Ph.D.(C)
Senior Program Manager, Center for Employment Opportunities
Simone Price
Director, Advocacy & Organizing, Center for Employment Opportunities
Kari Lariz
Advocacy and Organizing, Associate, Center for Employment Opportunities
Lois Pullano
Executive Director, Citizens for Prison Reform
Hakim Crampton
Gov Legislative Liaison, Citizens for Prison Reform
Sheba Rogers
Senior Program Manager, Detroit Justice Center
Liz Kennedy
Policy Advocate, Detroit Justice Center
Lauren Fardig-Diop
Program Manager, Detroit Justice Center
Katie Pelz-Davis
Representative, Friends of Restorative Justice
Kathie Gourlay
Mark Hartman
Executive Director & President, Humanity for Prisoners
Brad Warner
Intake & Communications Specialist, Humanity for Prisoners
Isaac Degraaf
Policy Advocacy Liaison, Linc Up
LaKiya Jenkins
Executive Director, LINC UP
Austin McFarlane
Civic Engagement Liaison, LINC UP
Kay Perry
Executive Director, Michigan Chapter of Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (MI-CURE)
Scott Preston
Michigan League for Public Policy
Monique Stanton
President/CEO, Michigan League for Public Policy
Nick Buckingham
Co-Executive Director, Michigan Liberation
Rai LaNier
Co-Executive Director, Michigan Liberation
Yusef Shakur
Co-Executive Director, Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities
Dez Squire
Senior Racial Equity Community Organizer, Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities
Cecilia Zavala
Executive Director, Nation Outside
Ken Nixon
Director of Outreach and Community Partnerships, Safe and Just Michigan
Kate McCracken
Executive Director, Safe and Just Michigan
Jessica Zimbelman
Managing Attorney, State Appellate Defender Office
Tomiko Gumbleton
Mitigation Specialist, State Appellate Defender Office
SADO is a non-voting advisory member.
Marcela Westrate
State Office Administrator and Legislative Director, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
The MIDC is a non-voting advisory member.
Angela Davenport
Executive Director, Voting Access for All Coalition