DETROIT – Equality Michigan’s Board of Trustees has appointed Equality Michigan’s director of policy, Emily Dievendorf, to the position of managing director of the organization. Emily will be empowered to lead the staff and organization.
Dievendorf is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, where she was a social justice leader on campus as a student. She then worked in the Michigan House of Representatives, elevating to chief of staff to Representative Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw), the chair of the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services. While in this position she focused on developing banking legislation, notably Michigan’s Foreclosure Lifeline legislation. Dievendorf has engaged on issues related to LGBT equality, race relations and equality, women’s rights, and HIV/AIDS. She serves on the Board of the Lansing Area AIDS Network, as an appointed member of the Ingham County Women’s Commission, and as a vocal member of a number of coalitions dedicated to social justice.
During her time as director of policy, Emily has been a driving force in the advancement of LGBT equality in Lansing and an integral part of the defeat of legislation which would have been detrimental to Michigan’s LGBT communities.
“Equality Michigan’s Board of Trustees is confident that Emily will bring this same drive, leadership, strategic and innovative thinking that she has become known for to her management of Equality Michigan’s programs, staff, volunteers, and vision for the future. Our board, staff, and volunteers are eager to work with Emily on taking Equality Michigan to the next level in our ongoing efforts to build a strong and vibrant organization for Michigan’s LGBT communities,” said David Wait, chair of Equality Michigan’s Board of Trustees.
“The team at Equality Michigan is a smart and savvy group of dedicated justice advocates. Our combination of public policy work, victim services outreach, and grassroots organizing is unmatched by any other organization in Michigan. I look forward to a tenure as managing director where I can focus on continued efforts to strengthen the organization, reaching out to Equality Michigan’s membership, collaborating with our allied partners, developing the skills of our staff and volunteers, and implementing our exciting ‘Respect for Equality’ campaigns. I am absolutely confident that the people of Michigan will be proud of the work they will see coming from Equality Michigan. Progress for all families is on the horizon and Equality Michigan can’t and won’t see it without you. We do this, from here on out, more together than ever before,” remarked Emily Dievendorf, newly appointed managing director of Equality Michigan.
Via press release
