Luke Forrest

Executive Director

Luke has dedicated most of his professional career to assisting and advocating on behalf of Michigan’s communities. For the past eight years, he led a team of staff and consultants that created innovative education and technical assistance programs at the Michigan Municipal League. This team worked in communities large and small, rural and urban, on topics such as placemaking, redevelopment, and environmental sustainability.

Previously, Luke worked as a legislative staffer and lobbyist in Washington, DC and as the public policy director for Metro Matters, an organization focused on regional collaboration in metro Detroit. He holds degrees in urban planning and real estate development from the University of Michigan.

Most importantly, he is a proud father of two elementary-aged children who teach him patience, humility, new methods of long division, and the lyrics to “Hamilton”. He volunteers as a youth baseball and basketball coach. His favorite album of all time is “What’s Going On?” by Marvin Gaye.