Lansing Sun

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Feb. 3 announced a slew of changes to her staff, which included the promotion of a senior adviser, and the hiring of a new chief communications officer and three policy staffers.

According to the governor’s office, Shaquila Myers has been promoted to senior adviser, Kaylie Hanson has been named chief communications officer, and Stephanie O'Dea, Algeria Wilson and Aya Takai will serve as policy staffers.

"I am thrilled to welcome four new members to our team and promote a familiar face," Whitmer said in a press release. "As we prepare to roll out my fourth budget recommendation and continue growing Michigan's economy, we will need a range of experience to deliver for Michigan families. Shaquila, Kaylie, Stephanie, Algeria, and Aya will help us put Michiganders first and make a real difference in their lives. Let's get to work."

The governor’s office said Myers has been longtime presence in the state’s executive branch as she has served as Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist's chief of staff since the day the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration was inaugurated.

"Shaquila Myers has been a core part of our team since day one in her role as chief of staff to the lieutenant governor," JoAnne Huls, Whitmer’s chief of staff, said in the release. "We are thrilled to welcome her to our senior leadership team and lean on her decades of experience to help us further our economic development efforts, collaborate with our partners in the legislature, and effectively utilize billions in federal resources sent to us under the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Shaquila will help us get the job done."

Meyers, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oakland University, served as Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich’s legislative director, as well as a policy analyst for the state senate.

Jessica Randall will fill Myers’s position on an interim basis, the governor’s office said.

Having previously served under Connecticut U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, Hanson was employed as communications director for NARAL Pro-Choice America, according to the release.

It added that Hanson, a University of Michigan graduate, possesses extensive electoral experience, having canvassed for former President Barack Obama during one of his two White House bids, as well as worked on the campaigns of Jennifer Carroll Foy for Virginia governor and Jeanne Shaheen for U.S. senator out of New Hampshire.

"Kaylie is a proven professional who will help us communicate effectively with Michiganders as we stay focused on growing Michigan's economy, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families," Zach Pohl, Whitmer’s deputy chief of staff, said in the release.

The hiring of O’Dea, Wilson, and Takai as policy advisers rounds out the staff changes.

O’Dea comes to the governor’s office with nearly 20 years of experience in education, Wilson hails from a social worker background, and Takai has worked on Capitol Hill, according to the governor’s office.

"Stephanie, Algeria, and Aya will help us deliver on the governor's vision for Michigan," said Marc Rehmann, Whitmer’s Policy Director, said in the release. "Our policy team is eager to get to work on the issues that matter most to our communities, and I can't wait to work with all of them."