About Us

Sara Wycoff McCauley is the founder and president of Strategic Policy Consultants, an innovative and results oriented policy research firm based in Michigan. She is a champion for collaborative approaches to public policy and excels at finding common ground among diverse stakeholders.

Considered an expert in the field of public policy, Sara has dedicated her career to developing and delivering innovative policy solutions. Prior to founding Strategic Policy Consultants, Sara spent five years serving Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI) as his senior strategic policy advisor, working on a broad array of issues including economic and workforce development, community development, health and human services and public safety.

Before joining the Governor's Office, Sara worked for the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs as the lead policy advisor. While there, she completed first-of-its-kind state research on veterans access to disability compensation, health care, education and employment benefits. Her research identified that Michigan was last in per-capita spending from the United States Veterans Administration. This work ultimately led the Governor to issue an Executive Order in 2013 creating the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

Sara previously worked as a researcher on local government finance issues at Michigan State University, and on state government matters while at the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency. In addition, she gained experience in a corporate setting at the state and federal level as a member of the Government Relations team at Kellogg Company.

She holds a B.A. in political science from Albion College and a master's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

The Team

Rodney Stokes is Of Counsel to Strategic Policy Consultants. Rodney was previously the Special Advisor for City Placemaking to Governor Rick Snyder (R-Michigan). As the former Director of the Department of Natural Resources (2011- June 2012), he brings a great depth and breadth of experience in policy development, civic engagement, natural resources and outdoor recreation, anchored on the bedrock of public service.

Stokes' service in state government began in 1977 and subsequently included a series of positions in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). His contributions were across a broad mix of the department's core missions, including leadership positions in the Recreation Division, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund program, Grants Administration, Real Estate Division, and then as chief of the Parks and Recreation Division (1997-2002).

Stokes' tenure as a state leader was matched by his performance as interim director and deputy director of the Detroit Recreation Department (2002-2003) and director of the Gainesville, Florida Recreation and Parks Department (2003-2004).

He rejoined the DNR as legislative liaison in 2004, and served as chief of staff, acting chief of Law Enforcement Division, named as Lake Erie regional director and most recently chief, Office of Science and Policy in 2010.

His practical experience builds upon a strong academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Arts from Tennessee State University (Recreation Administration) and Master of Science from Michigan State University (Parks and Recreation Resources). Additionally, he served for more than 15 years on the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, as well leadership positions on the Recreation and Park Association boards for both state and national levels.

Stokes is committed to community service, including stints on the East Lansing School Board (2001-2003 and 2005-2006), East Lansing Planning Commission (1995-2001), as well as serving on the board of directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and as chair of the Deacon Board at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church. He has been tapped for the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Committee, Eastern Land Resource Council, and the Michigan State Exposition and Fairgrounds.

He and his wife, Linda, are residents of East Lansing. They are the proud parents of Rhonda, Saya, and Keenan and grandparents of Kendal, Sloane and Annie.

Our Affiliates

Jillian McLaughlin, Affiliate Consultant

Jillian is an exclusive affiliate of Strategic Policy Consultants. She currently works as a real estate and economic development professional for the City of New York. Ms. McLaughlin previously served as a fellow for the Office of Governor Rick Snyder and worked for the National Consumer Law Center as a researcher. Her areas of interest and expertise include regional development, small businesses, financial mobility, economic clusters, and real estate policy. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government where she focused on economic development and a bachelors degree from Kalamazoo College. 

Janie McNabb

Janie McNabb is a Policy Affiliate and Talent Strategist for Strategic Policy Consultants. Previously, Janie was with the local workforce development board system in Northwest Michigan, quickly rising to a position of leadership and serving in multiple capacities throughout her 18-year tenure. Her most recent position was Chief Operating Officer, where she oversaw all Michigan Works! staff and programming . Prior to that, she was Director of Program Development and Community Relations, where she created and directed innovative workforce programs, tailored for the changing demands of her clients, area employers. 
 
Janie’s experience in developing, running, coordinating, and monitoring workforce programs gives her unique insight on how to use federal, state, and local policy for effective programs. In 2014, she was the author of the region’s Framework for Talent in Northwest Michigan, a key component of the Regional Prosperity Plan Framework for Our Future. This plan proposes strategies and potential action steps for improving the area’s workforce, all of which are based on public input, best practices, and thorough research on economic indicators. She has shown herself a proven leader, demonstrating commitment to putting research into, garnering additional funding to put these strategies into action: including approximately $1.2 million of additional funding for locally-driven priorities in the last two years. 
 
Janie’s diverse experience includes communications, technology, public relations and management. She holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Development and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature. She was recognized by the Traverse City Business News in the 40 Under 40 from 2009 to 2013, and as one of the most influential women in the region in 2014.

Contact us now if you're ready to get strategic.