Jenell Leonard is the owner of Marketing Resource Group, LLC – a federally certified woman owned small business that specializes in full-service communications and public relations services.

Jenell joined MRG after serving as director of the Michigan Film & Digital Media office, a post appointed by Gov.  Snyder. Her tenure was distinguished by program initiatives to support the development of Michigan’s creative industries and computer science education for K-12 students along with the formation of the Detroit Film Initiative, which promotes film production projects and jobs in Detroit.

Prior to leading the state’s film-and-digital media office, Jenell worked in the Michigan House of Representatives and four years in the Executive Office as External and Strategic Affairs Director for Lt. Governor Brian Calley.

In the lieutenant governor’s office, Jenell worked on policies that became a focal point for the first term of the Snyder Administration, including the initiative of building a new bridge to Canada, mental health reform and passage of Autism insurance reform in Michigan. In 2013, Leonard coordinated the Council of Great Lakes Governors Summit on Mackinac Island, where ten states and provinces of Canada were represented. She also served on the 2015 Inaugural Committee on behalf of the Governor’s office.

Jenell has managed a range of House campaigns, served as the volunteer coordinator for a presidential campaign, co-ran a House leadership election and manages various campaign finance accounts.  She was the first female recipient of the Frank M. Fitzgerald Public Service award in 2008 and is a 2010 alumna of the Michigan Political Leadership Program.

Jenell earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in public administration.  She is married to Tom Leonard, the former Speaker of the Michigan House and current partner at Plunkett Cooney law firm. Tom and Jenell live in DeWitt with their children Hannah, Thomas, and a third arriving in July.