Brian L. Love Named New State Director of EdTrust–Midwest

Detroit, MI — EdTrust is pleased to announce that Brian L. Love has been named as EdTrust-Midwest’s new State Director, bringing a strong record of public-sector leadership, coalition building, and community engagement to advance educational equity for Michigan students. In his role, Love will lead EdTrust–Midwest’s policy and advocacy agenda focused on educational access and opportunity for all Michigan students, from early learning through higher education and into their careers, while strengthening partnerships, advancing evidence-based policy, and delivering equitable results statewide.

Love previously served at EdTrust–Midwest as Director of Community Engagement, where he led community relations and partnership-building efforts across the state from pre-K through higher education. Most recently, Brian served as Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, a role that further strengthened his experience leading complex, cross-sector systems and delivering results for Michigan communities. Love also has a long track record in public service in Michigan, including work as the Urban/External Affairs Director for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2007 and later as the Government Affairs Lead for Students First Michigan, alongside other deep community engagement roles. Love’s lifetime of public service is also exemplified through his service in the United States Marine Corps.  As a proud military veteran, Love devoted his career to protecting and upholding democracy and continues to do so in his civilian life supporting vulnerable communities and fighting for justice.

“Returning to EdTrust–Midwest is deeply meaningful to me,” said Love. “Michigan’s students deserve excellent, equity driven schools in every community. I’m excited to work alongside our partners, families, educators, advocates, and policymakers, to turn data into action and deliver real results for students and school systems across the state.”

In his first months as State Director, Love will focus on:

• Strengthening partnerships with families, educators, community organizations, and policymakers;
• Advancing a data-driven policy agenda to close opportunity and achievement gaps; and
• Mobilizing resources to scale evidence-based solutions where they are needed most.

“Brian is a mission-driven leader who brings deep Michigan roots, a strong record of public service, and a clear commitment to equity and excellence to the work,” said Augustus Mays, Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement at EdTrust. “His ability to listen, build coalitions, and turn community voices into solutions will strengthen EdTrust–Midwest’s work with families, educators, and policymakers, while most importantly, delivering meaningful change for Michigan’s students.”

“I am encouraged and inspired to know that Brian will assume the new role of State Director for EdTrust–Midwest,” said Alice Thompson, co-chair of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, CEO of BFDI Educational Services, and chair of the education committee of the Detroit NAACP. “He brings a transformative leadership style that is anchored with a clear vision for building and sustaining excellent and meaningful relationships that drive the kind of collaboration that will yield the policies, funding, and resources to advance the mission of the organization.”

“Our state is blessed to have Brian back at EdTrust-Midwest in a new leadership role, focused on closing opportunity gaps for students with the greatest needs,” said Mike Jandernoa, co-chair of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity and founder and chairman of 42 North Partners. “He was such an effective advocate for the need to transform the education opportunities for all Michigan students, and today’s children need Brian more than ever to help lead us forward.”

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EdTrust-Midwest works to close opportunity gaps in education from preschool through college. Partnering with communities, EdTrust-Midwest provides in-depth analysis, evidence-based research, policy solutions, and expert guidance to shape policies and practices that expand opportunity, access, and success for all learners. Together, we are driving change and creating the conditions where every student thrives.