Matt Gillard and President & CEO (he/him)
Matt Gillard is the President & CEO of Michigan’s Children and has overseen all of our programs and operations since he joined the organization in 2014. Matt is our lead policy wonk, with a broad knowledge of child and family issues and particular depth in early childhood, and educational policy. He also has a wealth of knowledge of all things legislative after serving six years as a State Representative for the 106th District, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties, as well as parts of Cheboygan and Oscoda counties. He ended his time in the House in 2008 due to term limits.
After serving in the Michigan House, Matt built an advocacy and consulting business, providing guidance on education policy issues to various organizations, constituencies, and decision-makers. Matt is a graduate of Albion College and Wayne State University’s Law School. He was an attorney in Alpena and remains a member of the Michigan State Bar.
When not advocating for Michigan kids and families, Matt spends times with his four children – Gracie, Joel, Gus, and Pearl – and his wife, Jessica. They live in Alpena where Matt spends time hunting and fishing when he’s not reading up on or talking policy.
Matt also represents Michigan’s Children and contributes work and leadership to:
- Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity
- Think Babies Michigan Collaborative, Steering Committee
- Michigan Adult, Community, & Alternative Education Assocation, Ex Officio member
- Michigan Afterschool Partnership, out-of-school time strategy committee member
- Citizens Research Council of Michigan Board of Directors, member
- Michigan ACE Initiative