LANSING — A Negaunee woman has been appointed to the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.

Julie Shaw will serve a term expiring Sept. 30, 2027, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced.

Shaw is the executive director of the Superior Alliance for Independent Living. She has a bachelor of arts in special education from Northern Michigan University.

She is appointed as a member representing a local or non-governmental agency concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Michigan with sufficient authority to engage in policy, planning, and implementation. Shaw succeeds Leah Ortiz, who has resigned.

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council is an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. MiDDC channels federal funds to support programmatic activities and grants to improve systems and services to help people with I/DD live self-determined and self-directed lives in a diverse and inclusive community.

MiDDC also supports a statewide self-advocacy system, led by individuals with I/DD, known as the “Self-Advocates of Michigan,” or SAM. SAM receives staff support and funding from MiDDC to help people with lived experiences in their advocacy journey.

The appointment is not subject to advice and consent of the Senate.