Lily Brewer has a unique story of how she climbed up the ranks to her position now as the Executive Director of Michigan Works for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties.
After being laid off at a day care center, Brewer walked into the Paw Paw service center to file for unemployment, and that decision changed her life. A talent development specialist at the service center took an interest in Brewer and told her to apply for a receptionist position at the service center in South Haven.
Her drive to improve and advance in her career did not stop there.
After some time as the receptionist, she was promoted to a case manager position, then liaison-supervisor, then manager. From there, she was promoted to performance manager, then director of talent, and then senior director of talent. Just recently she was promoted to Executive Director of Michigan Works! For Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.
Going from a receptionist position to Executive Director takes a certain type of drive and work ethic that few possess.
Brewer claims that it all started with the talent specialist that helped her out 20 years ago.
“I felt like she genuinely wanted to help me figure out what I wanted to do next,” Brewer said.
The organization has gone through a lot of changes over the last two decades, but Lily Brewer has been a constant for Michigan Works!.
Even though she is the Executive Director, Brewer does not see this as her finish line.
“I hope to be sitting as the CEO of Kinexus Group,” Brewer said with a laugh in an interview with the Herald-Palladium back in May of 2019.
With all her success, Lily Brewer is not all work and no play, even if it seems like it.
Outside of work, Lily Brewer enjoys group workouts such as tabata and weight training. She makes it a point to exercise and move daily.
“I am addicted to the sweat and burn. I feel like it is an accomplishment,” Brewer said.
Whether she is in the gym or in the office, Lily Brewer prides herself on being one of the hardest workers in the room. Brewer will continue to be a huge part of Michigan Works! in her new role and we can all agree that it is hard to look at Michigan Works! and not think of Lily Brewer.
Lily’s Quote to live by:
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." Maya Angelou