About MWC

Cheryl Bergman, of East Lansing, is the CEO of the Michigan Women's Commission. Prior to the Commission, Bergman worked to elect well-qualified, progressive women to local and statewide office. Her clients included Gretchen Whitmer for Governor, Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator Debbie Stabenow, The White House Project, and many other women candidates running for local and legislative offices. Bergman also has non-profit management and fund development experience. Clients have included Communities in Schools of Michigan, Michigan's Children, Children's Trust Fund, and Michigan Prospect. She has served as agency relations director for the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center, and as the program administrator for the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University (MPLP). She currently serves as a member of the Potter Park Zoo Advisory Board. Bergman received her BA in Journalism from Michigan State University.

Shannon Garrett, of Traverse City, is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Michigan Women's Commission. She is a nationally recognized trainer, strategist and leadership coach. Garrett's commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in civic life has introduced her to communities throughout the United States, where she's worked alongside thousands of candidates, elected officials, social activists and civic-minded organizations. Her consulting firm, SMG Strategies, combines decades of experience with humor, mindfulness and a no-nonsense approach to building a more active and diverse democracy. Garrett is also a co-founder and board member of Vote Run Lead, a national nonprofit training barrier-breaking women to run for political office, and a founding partner of Civicize.Me, a backyard civic leadership program. She prioritizes intentionally and directly addressing the impact of intersectionality on political leadership in order to welcome more individuals into the civic space and strengthen our democracy and civic institutions. Garrett is a graduate of Alma College and University of Minnesota Law School.

Anna Rose Benson, of Lansing, is the Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator for the Michigan Women's Commission, joining the team as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. She recently graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in business marketing and an additional major in Spanish. Prior to the Commission, Benson worked for the City of Lansing Public Service Department, where she implemented programs such as the commercial recycling program, enforcing scooter permits, grant writing and execution, and formatting the Sustainability Action Plan. Additionally, she co-supervised undergraduate and graduate student groups, including two University of Michigan IT graduate groups and Michigan State community scholars. Benson will use her degree, lived experiences, and professional skills to bridge the gap between resources for women and the women who most need them but are often left out of the picture.