Michigan Works! Association names State Sen. Mary Cavanagh 2025 Legislator of the Year
LANSING (Sept. 17, 2025) — Michigan State Sen. Mary Cavanagh was honored this week as Michigan Works! Association’s (MWA) 2025 Legislator of the Year.
“Strong leaders like Sen. Cavanagh are critical to the success of the Michigan Works! system and our workforce,” said Michigan Works! CEO Ryan Hundt. “Her unwavering commitment has ensured that Michigan workers, jobseekers, and employers have access to the resources, training, and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Cavanagh, who also received this award in 2023, was honored for consistently prioritizing and advancing critical investments in workforce development through her role chairing the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Appropriations Subcommittee. Her leadership has been instrumental in proposing and passing budgets that safeguarded funding for short-term training, upskilling, and helping Michigan residents access high-growth career pathways at a time when external pressures threatened these initiatives.
“I am honored to once again receive this recognition from Michigan Works!,” said Senator Cavanagh, “l’ll continue to be a fighter for programs like Michigan Works! that provide a wide array of workforce and employment opportunities for everyone across our state.”
Sen. Cavanagh is serving her first term serving the 5th Senate District, which includes Northwest Detroit, Redford, Livonia, Farmington, and Farmington Hills. The award was presented at the 2025 Michigan Works! conference in Kalamazoo.
