Staff

Ahnuh is an Assistant State Long Term Care Ombudsman for Quality Assurance.  For 12 years prior to becoming an Assistant State Ombudsman, Ahnuh served as the Local Long Term Care Ombudsman for Region 2 (Jackson, Hillsdale, and Lenawee Counties) where she advocated for residents of Nursing Homes, Adult Foster Care Homes , and Homes for the Aged.  Ahnuh previously held a variety of positions working with children, families, and people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  Her work has spanned many different systems including foster care, schools, and private not-for-profit agencies.  In addition to being a Licensed Master Social Worker in Michigan, Ahnuh has a special certification for advanced work with Trauma Informed Care.  She received her bachelor's and master's degree in social work at Michigan State University.

Alison (she/her) is the Program Director and Managing Attorney of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and the elder law attorney at the Michigan Poverty Law Program. She is also a consulting attorney for the Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project-Elder Justice. Previously, Alison worked at Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service (now Disability Rights Michigan) and Community Legal Services in Philadelphia and served on the adjunct faculty of both the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan Law Schools. Alison is the co-chair of the Medical Care Advisory Council and was appointed to serve on the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force. She is the immediate Past President of the Governing Board of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care and was a Commissioner of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. Alison received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Yale Law School. 

Michelle (she/her) is an Assistant State Long Term Care Ombudsman for Quality Assurance. Michelle was the long term care ombudsman for Western Wayne County where she advocated for residents of nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes. She previously worked at a community mental health agency, providing case management services for individuals with mental health disorders. Michelle has also served as a part-time instructor for Washtenaw Community College, where her contribution directly supported the institution's commitment to delivering accessible and excellent education. She received her BS in Business Administration and Master of Social Work both from Madonna University. 

Mireille Phillips serves as Legal Counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. She earned her BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and her JD from Indiana University School of Law. She brings over 25 years of legal experience to the Ombudsman Program. She previously worked as an attorney with the CVLAP-Elder Justice Initiative where she represented seniors who had suffered abuse, neglect or exploitation in Macomb County.  She has also served as a Legal Research and Writing Professor at Wayne State University, as well as engaged in private practice focusing on commercial litigation, elder and family law. She is passionate about advocating for older adults, victims of domestic abuse and individuals living with a disability.

Nicole (she/her) is the Systemic Advocacy Attorney at the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI). She is dedicated to advancing the rights of older adults and individuals with disabilities, with a focus on promoting independence, autonomy, and dignity. Nicole has worked in both direct representation and systemic advocacy. Prior to joining MEJI, she served as an attorney with Legal Services of South Central Michigan and Disability Rights Michigan (formerly Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service). Nicole’s work centers on critical issues including guardianship reform, long-term care, and access to public benefits. She serves as a liaison to the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging and regularly speaks at state and national forums, including events hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice, American Bar Association, Consumer Voice, and Justice in Aging.

A proud Spartan and Wolverine, Nicole holds a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Salli (she/her) is the State Long Term Care Ombudsman. Salli brings over 30 years of experience to this position. Before joining MEJI in 2016, Salli served as the Nursing Facility Relocation Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for 13 years. In that position, Salli coordinated nursing facility closures and ensured that residents were protected and empowered. Previously, Salli served as the Program Manager for MI Health Link, Senior Program Manager at the Center for Long Term Care at the Michigan Public Health Institute, and Director of Education and Shared Services at the Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now called Leading Age). Salli began her career in this arena when she served as a nursing assistant in a nursing home during college.

Shelby is the Administrative Manager for the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Shelby comes to Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program with over sixteen years experience in the health care field, eight of those years as an Operations Manager for a large Michigan based healthcare system. As the Administrative Manager, Shelby will work closely with local Ombudsman staff to ensure all time-sensitive information, case reporting details, and referral requests are handled appropriately and efficiently. Shelby has a strong passion for helping others; for many years she has volunteered at several local Michigan based charities, from serving meals to raising funds.