EV Workforce Hub Members,

I am thrilled to join the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) as the new Mobility Hub Director. I recently relocated to Michigan from Washington, D.C., bringing over a decade of federal government experience. Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of economic development, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement. I’m excited to collaborate with each of you to advance stakeholder-informed, consensus-driven strategies that strengthen Michigan’s workforce system.

My passion for economic development is grounded in my commitment to create just and equitable opportunities for all. I am proud to support the EV Workforce Hub’s mission to ensure every Michigander has equitable access to high-quality training, education and services that lead to fulfilling careers—right in their own communities.

The Mobility Hub Director role is uniquely positioned across LEO’s Office of Employment & Training and the newly formed Community & Worker Economic Transition Office. This strategic alignment allows the EV Workforce Hub to both build on existing work and lead forward-looking initiatives that help Michigan’s workforce thrive amid the clean energy transformation in the auto industry.

It is an exciting time to be joining the EV Workforce Hub! All three working groups are marking key milestones this summer:

• Data & Coordination—Develop the framework for a labor market report that will showcase EV workforce trends and labor market projections.
• Structural Barriers—Secure a vendor to develop a Transportation Barrier Playbook that will detail best practices and a step-by-step guide for communities to launch their own transportation barrier removal program.
• Training, Coordination & Career Readiness—Develop and implement the draft K-12 Curriculum Expansion Playbook that will support manufacturing and engineering curriculum in high schools.

Thank you to those who’ve already welcomed me and I look forward to connecting with many more of you soon. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly with questions, feedback or ideas; you can also contact me via LEO-SectorStrategies@michigan.gov. I’m eager to learn from and collaborate with each of you. Together, we’ll help ensure Michigan is a place where every person, business and community can thrive.

Amanda Lawrence, Mobility Hub Director (she/her)
Office of Employment & Training
Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Cell: 571-936-1868
Email: LawrenceA9@Michigan.gov