Under the leadership of Deputy Director Sean Egan, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Labor is committed to protecting workers, supporting employers, and fostering safe, fair, and healthy workplaces across the state. Our team of experienced leaders brings deep expertise in labor relations, workplace mental health, safety, wage protections, and workers’ compensation — helping Michigan workplaces thrive.
Learn more about our leadership and explore opportunities for speaking engagements, panel discussions, and insights on a wide range of labor and workplace topics.
Deputy Director of Labor
As an esteemed leader in areas covering labor advocacy and workplace mental health, Sean embodies a deep commitment to improving the lives of working people and families across Michigan. With a diverse background spanning union leadership, legal expertise and extensive community involvement, Sean offers a wealth of experience and insights that make him an exceptional speaker on a variety of topics, including workplace mental health and a wide array of labor issues. He can provide valuable insights for organizations, policy makers and workers seeking to address contemporary challenges in the workplace and broader labor landscape.
Director of the Bureau of Employment Relations/Michigan Employment Relations Commission
As a seasoned leader in labor-management relations, Sidney brings more than 15 years of experience in public sector labor relations and dispute resolution. Serving as Director of the Bureau of Employment Relations since 2020, and with a career at the agency beginning in 2009, he offers deep expertise in collective bargaining, representation matters, mediation and labor law administration. Sidney has led major modernization efforts that have strengthened access, efficiency and transparency in labor relations processes, making him a knowledgeable and practical voice on today’s labor challenges. He provides valuable insights for employers, unions, policymakers and workers navigating complex workplace issues.
Director of the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency
With more than 50 years of professional experience, Jack Nolish is a respected authority on workers’ compensation and disability policy in Michigan. As Director of the Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency, and previously serving as Deputy Director, magistrate, and chair of the Board of Magistrates, Jack brings a comprehensive understanding of the workers’ compensation system from every angle. His background as a practicing attorney representing injured and disabled individuals provides valuable, real-world insight into the challenges facing workers, employers and policymakers. Jack is a trusted speaker and educator who offers practical and informed perspectives on workers’ compensation law and policy.
Senior Deputy Director of WDCA
Emily McDonough serves as Senior Deputy Director of the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency (WDCA) and currently holds the role of Interim Funds Administrator. Since joining the agency in 2019, she has provided regulatory oversight of the Self-Insurance Programs Division; Compliance and Employers Records Division; Resolutions, Rehabilitation and Administrative Rules Division; and Funds Administration. Emily works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with statutory and administrative requirements while educating employers, insurance carriers and workers about Michigan’s workers’ compensation system.
A licensed attorney in both Michigan and Indiana, Emily began her legal career in the private sector before transitioning to public service as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan. In that role, she provided legal counsel and representation to multiple state agencies prior to joining the WDCA. In addition to her agency leadership, she serves as an adjunct professor at Lansing Community College.
Emily earned her juris doctor, magna cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and Zoology from Michigan State University.
Director of the Wage and Hour Division
As Administrator of the Michigan Wage and Hour Division, Andrew Niedzinski leads statewide efforts to ensure fair wages and strong labor protections for Michigan’s workers. With a focus on operational efficiency, employer education and compliance with labor laws, Andrew brings a practical and solutions-oriented approach to wage and hour enforcement. His background in local government, including service as City Manager of Vassar, provides valuable insight into effective administration and intergovernmental collaboration. Andrew offers informed perspectives for employers, workers and policymakers navigating wage and hour requirements.
Director of MIOSHA
Bart Pickelman has served as Director of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) since 2016, bringing more than 35 years of experience in occupational safety and health across both the public and private sectors. Beginning his career as a MIOSHA compliance officer, Bart has held numerous leadership and technical roles, including ergonomic specialist, safety and health manager, and deputy director. As Director, he oversees all aspects of the MIOSHA program, including consultation, education and training initiatives; general industry and construction enforcement; and the Radiation Safety Section responsible for the registration of more than 29,000 x-ray machines statewide. A Certified Industrial Hygienist, Bart is a nationally respected leader and a passionate advocate for protecting the safety and health of Michigan’s workers.
Deputy Director of MIOSHA
Dawn C.M. Jack, Esq., serves as Deputy Director of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), where she plays a key role in the agency’s day-to-day operations, including oversight of the Appeals Section, rule promulgation, policy development, public information requests, and MIOSHA’s Safety and Health Management System. With more than two decades of legal experience, Dawn brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, litigation and public sector administration.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Director, Dawn served for nearly 14 years as MIOSHA’s Appeals Director, leading continuous improvement initiatives that modernized agency processes and expanded public access to information. Her leadership helped transition MIOSHA to paperless operations, implement electronic submissions and payments, and launch the online Penalty Reduction Agreement program.
Before joining MIOSHA, Dawn served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan, representing state departments and employees in employment, tort, prisoner and civil rights litigation in both state and federal courts. She began her legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, handling misdemeanor and felony trials involving environmental health and safety, public integrity and other criminal matters.
Dawn earned her juris doctor, cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in child and family services from Iowa State University.
Topics for Speaking Engagements
Senior Executive Assistant Deputy Director for the Office of Labor
Randall Harrison serves as Senior Executive Assistant Deputy Director for the Office of Labor where he supports the development and implementation of labor policy and programs that protect Michigan workers. With nearly two decades of experience in labor law compliance and workplace safety, including service as a Senior Investigator, Randall brings practical enforcement insight and policy expertise to today’s labor challenges. He also serves as a Police and Fire Civil Service Commissioner for Redford Charter Township, further strengthening his commitment to public service and fair employment practices. Randall offers informed perspectives on labor compliance, worker protections and effective program administration.
