Hi, I’m Olivia Vaden.

I was raised in a working-class family, and my life has been shaped by the realities of poverty, parental addiction and incarceration, and inadequate housing: experiences that continue to inform my people-first approach to leadership.

My path forward was forged through my education. I became a first-generation college graduate, earning a Bachelor’s in Public Policy from Michigan State University and later a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. My education provided me with options and a sense of responsibility to work with my neighbors in creating a better world.

That responsibility has guided my career. I began in Detroit’s philanthropic sector, supporting programs that help working families, young adults, and caregivers build better futures. Most recently, I served as Director of Research and Policy at the Michigan Growth Office, leading efforts to understand and shape the systems that drive economic opportunity and increase quality of life across our state.

I’m running on a People-First Agenda: centered on equity, transparency, and opportunity. If elected, I’ll fight for housing justice, government transparency, and city services that work for everyone.

Let’s work together to build a Lansing that uplifts us all. I’d be honored to earn your trust and your vote for Lansing City Council At-Large.

You can reach me at vadenforlansing@gmail.com