SE Women in Politics: The Path to Public Office

Tickets (includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert and one drink ticket)

Inforum Member - $50.00
Guest - $70.00

National elections get most of the attention, but most political contests take place at the local and state level. Come join us at this bipartisan event as we hear from elected women office-holders about their political journeys. What does it take to run for public office and what does it take to stay there?

Want to learn more? We'll also hear about Michigan State University's bipartisan Michigan Political Leadership program that incorporates practical politics, public policy analysis and process, personal leadership development and effective governance to help citizens gain the expertise to tackle public policy issues as candidates for office, as government officials or as citizen activists.

The program will be followed by networking with local women office-holders. 

Speakers

Ruth Johnson is in her second term as Michigan Secretary of State. She also has served as an Oakland County commissioner; the first women elected to serve as Oakland County's clerk/register of deeds; and was a three-term member of the Michigan House of Representatives. In 2006, she was the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos. She is exploring the possibility of running for the State Senate in 2018. View bio 

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo was an educator, former Detroit City Council staff member and community organizer before running for state representative in 2012. She did not win the Democratic primary, despite garnering 34% of the vote, but persevered and won two years later. She now is serving her second term as the state representative of Michigan's 8th District serving northwest Detroit. View bio

Anne Mervenne is president of Mervenne & Co., a public affairs consultancy firm.  Anne's career includes serving as Director of Appointments for Gov. John Engler and as executive director of the Michigan Women's Commission. She is the co-director of the bipartisan Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University, a 10-month program for men and women actively involved in public service. View bio

Moderator 

Kelly Rossman-McKinney is CEO and principal of Truscott Rossman, a public relations agency with offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit, whose services include issues management, crisis communications, new media, ballot initiatives, community relations, government affairs and grass-roots initiatives. View bio

Tickets (includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert and one drink ticket)

Inforum Member - $50.00
Guest - $70.00

Diamond Sponsor

Regional Sponsor