Stephanie Johnson

Managing Partner

Stephanie believes in the power of each individual’s voice and active participation in our government. She takes great satisfaction in guiding clients through the legislative process and helping them understand how they can amplify their advocacy. She knew lobbying was a way for her to help people better interact with their government from her early start as an intern at a lobbying firm, where she worked her way up to Managing Partner. At KJL, Steph serves as Managing Partner, where she sees her role as supporting each team member and fostering a strong sense of firm identity, leading to excellent client services and outcomes.

Stephanie’s journey in public service is defined by her commitment to treating others with dignity and respect. Her trusted counsel has enabled clients to achieve significant policy and appropriations wins, like successfully stopping attempts to reduce public benefits for retired police and fire personnel. She secured $10M in new funding for the Food Bank Council of Michigan. She was also successful in getting $17M in support for prosecuting attorneys across Michigan and is passionate about policy enhancements protecting victims of domestic violence and other crimes.

Steph is a graduate of Davenport University, including a study abroad with the London Institute for Foreign Studies. She’s been recognized twice as a Crain’s Detroit Business 50 Names to Know in Lobbying and as the National Association of Acupuncturists Lobbyist of the Year. She’s an avid equestrian and enjoys making stained-glass creations or playing the piano or oboe. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their horses, dog, and cat and soaking up the Michigan outdoors.

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Andy Leavitt

Partner

Leavitt has extensive background in leadership roles at both the state and federal levels. He is driven by collaborating with great people and organizations to deliver policy outcomes that maximize their goals and benefit society.

Leavitt regularly demonstrates his ability to create effective coalitions on behalf of his clients supported by the management of effective grassroots campaigns. His vast network spans Michigan and Capitol Hill. These lobbying skills are enhanced by his ability to partner on economic development and investment planning projects.

He served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Dan Kildee and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich. In these roles, Leavitt supported great leaders and tackled a lot of difficult policy and diplomatic questions. The results were bringing millions of federal dollars to aid Michigan communities through a complex federal housing program.

During Leavitt’s tenure as Senator Ananich’s Chief of Staff, the Flint water crisis struck his district and required a variety of critical response roles. He organized local community partners, overseeing crisis communications, and implementing his legislative agenda – ultimately securing over two-hundred million dollars to benefit residents.

Leavitt holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Central Michigan University.

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Ryan Burtka

Partner

Ryan is KJL’s in-house healthcare expert. He knows the system inside and out, including Medicaid, the pharmaceutical drug supply chain, scope of practice, and insurance. Ryan believes that solving problems for clients requires seeing the entire field, understanding the history and nuance of an issue, and finding ways to navigate the policy, fiscal, and political implications.

Before coming to KJL, Ryan spent six years as a legislative director in the Michigan Senate, staffing Health Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee. It’s no wonder clients look to him when navigating the healthcare ecosystem. Ryan supported the most comprehensive pharmacy benefit manager reform bill in the country. He’s advocated for more than $12M for safety net dental clinics for Medicaid patients. He led the effort for the only time the Michigan State Legislature rejected a Certificate of Need standard that would have limited access to next-generation cancer patient immunotherapies.

Ryan served as a Combat Engineer in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Albion College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics & Management. Ryan loves to cook for his wife and two boys. His family enjoys spending time with their two dogs, three cats, ducks, chickens, and horse.

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Mike Zimmer

Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning

Mike has a distinguished career in state government, he most recently served as Cabinet Director for former Governor Rick Snyder. He has also served as the Director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Deputy Director of the State Office of Administrative Hearing and Rules. Mike will play a pivotal role in providing strategic council on state and Federal regulatory policy and business development for KJL’s clients. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctorate from George Washington University.

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Jim Stamas

Director of Government Relations and Policy Specialist

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Kirstie Sieloff

Lobbyist

With a decade of experience working in and around state government, Kirstie finds great personal gratification in serving people and guiding diverse groups of stakeholders through the legislative process.

In her capacities as legislative staff, she supported tribal stakeholders in raising awareness of Indian boarding schools and worked to secure funds to encourage teaching this history in Michigan schools. She provided strategic input to efforts to increase the State’s Earned Income Tax Credit to support Michigan families. She became well-versed in special education and disability issues and helped launch an internship for students with disabilities to gain competitive integrated employment. And, Kirstie worked with numerous advocacy groups and organizations to navigate legislation seeking to curb prescription drug overdose deaths through a prescription drug Good Samaritan law.

Regardless of the issue, she’s known for her integrity, trust, and work ethic, and her compassion for people is evident.

Kirstie’s tenure includes positions as staff in the State Senate, State House, Administration, and non-profit arena. She is a Michigan State University graduate with a B.A. and B.S. degree and an alumna of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Michigan Political Leadership Program.

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Taylor Lawrence

Lobbyist

Taylor is driven by a passion for building bridges between stakeholders and policymakers and helping organizations navigate the legislative process.

Before coming to KJL, Taylor served as a legislative director in the State House, where he helped pass a Medicaid dispensing fee to provide stability to Michigan’s independent pharmacies and helped raise awareness of the importance of public safety and violence prevention funding.

Taylor is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. Political Science. He is an alumnus of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, a health policy graduate of the Center for Health and Research Transformation, and an alumnus of the Henry Marsh Institute for Public Policy. When he’s not in Lansing, he’s spending time with his fiancée in northern Michigan, golfing, or coaching high school baseball.

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Brian Clark

Lobbyist

Brian is KJL’s longest-serving member and has been promoted throughout the years to his current capacity as a lobbyist, giving Brian a comprehensive understanding of advocacy and the legislative process. Brian’s personable approach has enabled him to build meaningful relationships within our capital city.

Throughout Brian’s tenure with KJL, his trusted expertise and strategic counsel have enabled clients to navigate complex legislative landscapes and achieve meaningful results, like $900k to increase the number of elevator inspectors in the state. He secured $1M for MISS DIG 811 to update mapping and increase public awareness. In the legislative world, Brian helped pass an A.I. deep fake bill to ensure we protect the integrity of our elections.

When Brian isn’t at the Capitol, he’s spending time with his wife and three children, getting in a round of golf, or taking the dogs for a walk.

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Nicole Rodriguez

Client Relations and Legislative Specialist

Nicole’s journey at KJL began in 2019 with a summer internship, where she realized her niche in both public affairs and fostering strong client connections. With her dedication and expertise, she has taken on additional responsibilities, including leading our successful internship program. Nicole is instrumental in managing our social media platforms, providing regular updates about the firm, sharing noteworthy client news, and engaging our community.

Additionally, Nicole plays a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive legislative tracking reports, enabling clients to navigate policy landscapes effectively and achieve their desired outcomes. She has also launched “A Key to the Inside,” a podcast that offers valuable insights into relevant issues impacting our clients. Through engaging interviews with key legislators and government officials, the podcast provides an inside perspective on matters that directly affect our clients.

Nicole is currently pursuing her B.S. in Business Administration and focusing her studies on Public Administration.

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Kate Upton

Operations Manager

Kate is the cornerstone of KJL’s operations and is crucial in facilitating connections and managing daily business activities. She is known for her diverse skill set from managing financial records, and accounting processes; to coordinating schedules and meetings between legislators, clients, and state departments. Kate ensures operations run smoothly with her proactive approach and exceptional organizational skills that contribute to a productive and seamless work environment.

Before joining KJL, Kate worked in the legislature, facilitating meetings and schedules for members, and serving as the liaison between constituents in the district and state departments. She was instrumental in organizing campaign events, press conferences and managing elected official’s individual brands.  Kate’s passion for people, empathy, and critical decision-making ability makes her an asset to KJL and our clients.

Kate holds a B.A. in Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan and has a Human Resources Certificate from the University of Miami, Florida.

Outside of work, Kate and her husband, Matt, own floral and fishing forecasting businesses, respectively.  Kate is active in her community and serves on the St. Johns Area Community Fund Board, providing grants to members/organizations within the community. She enjoys traveling to new destinations, coaching soccer, and watching her two children play sports.

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