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Leslie J. Allen
Deputy Editor
Leslie J. Allen is a deputy editor at Bridge Michigan, where she joined in February 2024. She has spent decades in business journalism, including more than 15 years at Automotive News, where she led the mobility team and was editor-in-chief of Shift magazine. Allen was most recently a senior editor for Business Insider and is a former auto editor of the Detroit Free Press.
Canton is home for Leslie and her husband. More by Leslie J. Allen
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Emma Carr
Revenue Development Specialist
Emma Carr is the Center for Michigan’s revenue development specialist, supporting Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit through advertising, sponsorships and Bridge Builders memberships. Before joining in 2024, she was director of development for the Parliament of the World’s Religions. She holds degrees from Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University.
Emma grew up in mid-Michigan, spent time in Chicago and now lives in Dearborn with her husband, dog and cat. More by Emma Carr
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Bill Emkow
Growth Strategy Director
Bill Emkow is the growth strategy director at the Center for Michigan, where he helps shape strategies that connect journalism, audience growth and reader revenue. Before joining Bridge Michigan, he held editorial and digital leadership positions at MLive, the Detroit Free Press and WXYZ-TV. He earned a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
Raised in Cassopolis, Michigan, but is a longtime Ann Arbor resident. More by Bill Emkow
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Robin Erb
Senior Health Reporter
Robin Erb covers health care and aging for Bridge Michigan, focusing on a state that is aging faster than most. She has led investigations tracking opioid settlement money and health care worker shortages, and previously spent six years at the Detroit Free Press covering the Affordable Care Act and Michigan’s Medicaid expansion. She holds a master’s degree from Lourdes University in Toledo.
Robin and her husband raised two children in southeast Michigan — and have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets. More by Robin Erb
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Rebecca Fedewa
Development and Communications Specialist
Rebecca Fedewa supports development and communications for the Center for Michigan and its newsrooms. She previously served as executive director of the Flint River Watershed Coalition and as director of grantwriting and foundation relations for the Ecology Center, and began her nonprofit career with the C.S. Mott Foundation. Rebecca is a graduate of Michigan State University and Indiana University.
Born and raised in Lansing, Rebecca now calls Hartland home, where she lives with her husband and son. More by Rebecca Fedewa
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Sally Freels
Membership & Individual Giving Director
Sally Freels is the Center for Michigan’s membership and individual giving director, connecting donors and members to Bridge Michigan’s mission of nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. She has held leadership roles at the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Cranbrook Educational Community.
A Traverse City native, Sally still visits family there regularly and now calls Ferndale home. More by Sally Freels
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Ron French
Senior Enterprise Reporter
Ron French is the senior enterprise reporter at Bridge Michigan, covering a wide range of topics including rural communities, federal policy impacts, education and public health. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter, and previously reported for newspapers across Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University.
Rooted in Okemos, Ron has become a true Michigander — complete with a family cabin Up North. More by Ron French
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Paula Gardner
Senior Business Reporter
As Bridge Michigan’s senior business reporter, Paula Gardner covers Michigan’s business landscape, focusing on topics such as the auto industry, electric vehicles and economic development. She came to Bridge in 2020 after covering business and environment for MLive.com and previously served as editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of the startup AnnArbor.com.
A metro Detroit native, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan and has called it home for more than 25 years. More by Paula Gardner
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Lauren Gibbons
Senior Capitol Reporter
Lauren Gibbons covers state politics and government for Bridge Michigan, tracking the Michigan Legislature, elections and the impact of federal policy on the state. Before joining Bridge, she led Legislature and redistricting coverage at MLive and covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered Michigan politics for more than a decade, winning awards for her political and criminal justice reporting.
A Lansing native who graduated from Michigan State University, Lauren is now based in Ferndale. Her party tricks include telling friends which political districts they live in without looking. More by Lauren Gibbons
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Laura Herberg
Outdoors Life Reporter
Laura Herberg covers outdoor recreation, wildlife and the natural environment for Bridge Michigan as the Outdoors Life reporter on the environmental team. She came to Bridge from Outlier Media and built her career at WDET, where she produced talk shows, anchored the news and hosted podcasts. Named the Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter for Radio Broadcasting four times, Laura holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Wayne State University.
A Pacific Northwest native who has also lived in West Virginia and Scotland, Laura has called Detroit home since 2010. More by Laura Herberg
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Jordyn Hermani
Capitol Reporter
As part of the Capitol team, Jordyn Hermani covers state policy and politics, tracking the Legislature, the state budget and elections. Before joining Bridge, she wrote for MLive as its statewide politics and culture reporter and for Gongwer Michigan as its state House reporter.
A 2018 graduate of Central Michigan University, Jordyn lives in Lansing with her husband and two cats. More by Jordyn Hermani
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Arielle Hines-Glerum
Digital Production Specialist
Arielle Hines-Glerum manages Bridge Michigan’s newsletters, website and app as digital production specialist. She was previously a digital content producer for WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids and reported for the Petoskey News-Review and the Wausau Daily Herald in Wisconsin. Arielle is a proud Central Michigan University graduate.
A Westland native, Arielle has also lived in Emmet and Charlevoix counties and now calls Grand Rapids home with her husband. More by Arielle Hines-Glerum
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Justin A. Hinkley
Regional Editor
Justin Hinkley is regional editor at Bridge Michigan, overseeing coverage of northern and western Michigan and working to reach communities in news deserts left by the decline of local papers. He has worked in journalism for two decades, beginning as a cub reporter at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, before working as an investigative journalist at the Lansing State Journal and then serving as managing editor and publisher of the Alpena News.
Born and raised in Battle Creek, Justin now lives in Alpena with his wife and son. More by Justin A. Hinkley
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Kelly House
Senior Environment Reporter
Kelly House covers Michigan’s environment for Bridge Michigan, with a focus on the Great Lakes, climate change, industrial pollution, water quality and wildlife. She joined Bridge in March 2020 after reporting for the Oregonian, where her coverage earned national honors and sparked efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. Kelly holds a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University.
Kelly grew up in Harrison and is based in Lansing. More by Kelly House
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Janelle D. James
General Assignment Reporter
Janelle D. James covers general assignments for Bridge Michigan, from quality of life and criminal justice to state politics. She joined the staff in January 2023 after working as a Capital News correspondent at Michigan State University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science.
Janelle is from Detroit and covers the state from there. More by Janelle D. James
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AJ Jones
Technology and Production Director
A.J. Jones is the Center for Michigan’s longest-tenured staff member. As production and technology director, he supports both Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit, overseeing everything from the websites and app to IT and software. Before joining the Center, A.J. worked in communications and public relations and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emerson College in Boston. A.J. grew up in Troy and now lives in Howell. More by AJ Jones
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Kathy Kieliszewski
Executive Editor of Innovation
Kathy Kieliszewski is Bridge Michigan’s executive editor of innovation, focused on reaching new audiences through engagement, events and new ways of storytelling. She joined Bridge in fall 2024 after nearly 22 years at the Detroit Free Press, where she led photo and video efforts, won four national Emmy Awards and was part of the team that won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism. Kathy also co-founded the Freep Film Festival and served as its artistic director for 11 years. She is a proud graduate of Michigan State University’s journalism school.
Based in metro Detroit, Kathy’s dream vacation is a remote U.P. campsite, a serious game of Yahtzee and her husband and two sons. More by Kathy Kieliszewski
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Kim Kozlowski
Senior Education Reporter
Kim Kozlowski covers higher education and K-12 schools for Bridge Michigan, focusing on issues that affect students and communities across the state. She joined Bridge in July 2025 after 25 years at The Detroit News and previously reported for daily newspapers in New York, North Dakota and Missouri. Known for her investigative work, Kim was named the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit 2021 Journalist of the Year and was inducted into the Eastern Echo Hall of Fame at her alma mater, Eastern Michigan University.
Kim lives in Ferndale with her husband, dog and two cats — and can usually be found in northern Michigan when she’s not working. More by Kim Kozlowski
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Joel Kurth
Executive Editor of Impact
As executive editor of impact, Joel Kurth oversees newsgathering, investigations, and coverage strategy at Bridge Michigan. He joined Bridge in 2017 after 17 years as an investigative reporter and editor at The Detroit News, where he led investigations that drove policy changes on water shutoffs and surgical instrument sterilization and resulted in criminal charges against government officials. He and his teams have won more than 60 state and national awards across a 30-year career in Michigan that has also included stints at newspapers in the Upper Peninsula and Saginaw. Joel also authors Bridge’s popular weekly News Quiz.
Joel lives in West Bloomfield with his wife and two children. More by Joel Kurth
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Asha Lewis
Digital Marketing Specialist
Asha Lewis is Bridge Michigan’s digital marketing specialist, managing the organization’s social media channels and translating Bridge’s reporting into engaging content for audiences. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she spent four years at The Michigan Daily as a photographer and later managing editor of audience engagement. She previously worked for the USA Today Network and was part of Bridge Michigan’s 2020 summer intern program.
Asha lives in Detroit. More by Asha Lewis
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Katy Locker
Chief Executive Officer
Katy Locker is the chief executive officer of the Center for Michigan, publisher of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit. She leads the organization’s strategy, governance and fundraising, working with the board of directors and leadership team to strengthen the long-term sustainability and statewide impact of nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. Under her leadership, the organization is expanding regional reporting, deepening community engagement and building new approaches to audience growth, civic participation and financial sustainability.
Before joining the Center, Katy held leadership roles at the Knight Foundation and Hudson-Webber Foundation, where she led philanthropic investments supporting Detroit’s civic and economic development. An attorney by training, she has served on the boards of organizations including Gleaners Community Food Bank, Detroit Future City and the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
In 2016, Crain’s Detroit Business named Katy one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women, and in 2025 she was named to Crain’s “Who’s Who” list of leaders shaping the future of southeast Michigan. Katy holds degrees from Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law School.
Born in Detroit and a resident for more than 20 years, Katy also spends time in Oscoda, Midland and Holly — and counts Lake Huron as her preferred Great Lake. More by Katy Locker
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Isabel Lohman
Education Reporter
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit’s 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children’s issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022. More by Isabel Lohman
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Matt Mencarini
Data and Accountability Reporter
Matt Mencarini is a data and accountability reporter at Bridge Michigan. He was born and raised in Chicago and joined Bridge in July 2026 as a Report for America Corps Member. His journalism career has taken him to five different states. He reported on mass incarceration in Kentucky, voting rights in Wisconsin and local government in Illinois. He spent more than two years covering the Larry Nassar case for the Lansing State Journal, including investigating Michigan State University’s failures to stop the abuse sooner. He was also part of the Louisville Courier Journal team that won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. He currently resides in Lansing. More by Matt Mencarini
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Eli Newman
Health Reporter
Eli Newman covers public health, access to care and policy for Bridge Michigan’s Health Watch team. A lifelong Michigander with a decade of public radio experience, he previously served as assistant news director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent nearly nine years at WDET in Detroit covering breaking news, politics and community affairs. His work has been recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association, the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit chapter. Eli earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He lives in Detroit. More by Eli Newman
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Jonathan Oosting
Deputy Editor
Jonathan Oosting is a deputy editor at Bridge Michigan, helping plan and direct in-depth reporting and political coverage. A longtime Capitol reporter, he was named Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association in 2021 and shared the honor again in 2023, when he and a colleague were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in 2019. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
From Grand Rapids and based in Lansing, Jonathan loves spending time Up North. More by Jonathan Oosting
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Diana Roginson
Chief Operating Officer
Diana Roginson is the chief operating officer of the Center for Michigan, serving as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and overseeing operations, human resources and finance across the organization. Before joining the Center, she spent a decade co-founding and leading Detroit-based organizations focused on creating employment and workforce opportunities for women — including a social enterprise she grew from concept to a nationally recognized brand. Diana was recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016 and is an alumna of Wayne State University.
She grew up in Madison Heights and has fond childhood memories of her family’s one-room log cabin in Sterling. She now lives in Detroit with her husband, daughter and two dogs. More by Diana Roginson
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Simon D. Schuster
Capitol Reporter
Simon D. Schuster covers Michigan politics, campaign finance and government accountability for Bridge Michigan. He joined Bridge in 2024 after working as MLive’s senior political reporter and on its investigative team, and previously spent three years as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, tracking the influence of political money in Michigan. A Michigan native, Simon holds a bachelor’s degree and a master of public policy from Michigan State University.
Simon is based in Lansing. When he’s not working, you’ll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. More by Simon D. Schuster