Maureen is a leading public relations and communications professional with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. She joined the Research Council as Communications Director in 2023. Before that, Maureen led strategic public relations for statewide clients on behalf of a Detroit-based PR firm. She also founded and directed PR Edge, a Lansing-based public relations firm. Maureen also served in several roles in state government, including heading the press and communications offices for the state departments of Treasury, Management and Budget, and History, Arts & Libraries. She also served as a gubernatorial campaign’s deputy campaign manager and spokeswoman. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from the University of Michigan and serves on the Board of Commissioners of LEPFA as secretary/treasurer, Michigan Nature Association Board of Trustees, and the Board of Visitors of the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development at Wayne State University.