Bold LeadHERS | Ep. 13: Rebecca DeVooght & Sarah Hubbard, Women Leading Through Policy & Change

Recently, Lorri and Becky welcomed a pair of dynamic women this month. They speak with Rebecca DeVooght and Sarah Hubbard who share leadership lessons from public policy, higher education and advocacy, and what it takes to lead boldly. Rebecca DeVooght: Rebecca is an experienced government relations professional with a career spanning nearly 25 years in various state and public sector positions. Prior to coming to Michigan State University, she represented the University of Michigan for 11 years as the Director of State Relations, focusing most of her time on state appropriations and on elevating research and academic freedom through strong collaborations with university academic and administrative units on the various intersections with state policy. Through her direct efforts, she was successful in securing base appropriation increases for the university as well as Capital Outlay support for such purposes as University of Michigan's School of Dentistry, a joint project between the College of Engineering and School of Information as well as other critical research projects. She has successfully worked to enhance campus engagement and collaboration with a wide range of government and non-government organizations beyond higher education. Show notes: Lorri and Becky sat down with Rebecca DeVooght, Vice President of Government Relations at Michigan State University. In the first segment, Rebecca dives into how she grew up with two parents who worked in social work and how that led to where she took her career, being very motivated from a young age. Sarah Hubbard: Principal, Acuitas | Regent, University of Michigan With more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of government relations, public affairs, and higher education governance, Sarah L. Hubbard is a proven leader in navigating complex policy environments, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving organizational success. Sarah currently serves as Principal and Co-Owner of Acuitas, a Lansing-based government relations and business development consulting firm. In this role, she works with clients ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, providing expert guidance on advocacy strategies, political engagement, and relationship building. Her deep connections with Michigan’s highest-ranking officials — including the governor, legislature, congressional delegation, and municipal leaders — have helped deliver results to her clients. In addition to her private sector work, Sarah was elected to the University of Michigan Board of Regents in 2020. As a Regent, she has played a pivotal role in overseeing the university’s $15 billion budget and $20 billion endowment. She has served as Board Chair, Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committee, and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, demonstrating her ability to lead through complex governance and financial challenges. Sarah has also provided critical strategic input during crises, including cyberattacks, campus safety incidents, and high-profile protests, often serving as a spokesperson to local and national media. Her experience extends to guiding the university’s health system — now larger than its academic units — through risk assessment and long-term capital planning. Sarah’s earlier career includes 17 years at the Detroit Regional Chamber, where she served as Senior Vice President of Government Relations. In this capacity, she was the Chamber’s primary liaison to policymakers at all levels, representing the interests of 23,000 member organizations. She worked closely with Michigan’s largest corporate leaders to advance shared advocacy goals and served as management’s voice in the Chamber boardroom. Sarah earned an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan.