Two executive staffers at Attorney General's office receive accolades

Two members of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Executive Team were recently recognized for their professional contributions and exceptional service to their colleagues and communities.

Nessel is commending Deputy Attorney General Christina Grossi and Communications Director Kelly Rossman-McKinney for their achievements and thanks them for their hard work and commitment over the years in serving the people and communities of Michigan.

Grossi is this year’s recipient of the Senior Staff of the Year Award from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). She has been instrumental in the Department’s operations this past year, overseeing the work of the attorney general’s divisions throughout the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and laboring diligently with the department’s Election Team to ensure the security and fairness of Michigan’s election while fending off the many lawsuits that followed.

She has been an integral component in the department’s investigation into Larry Nassar and Michigan State University’s handling of the matter, as well as the department’s clergy abuse investigation, spending countless hours reviewing documents in pursuit of justice on behalf of the victims.

Grossi has been a strong partner to her colleagues at NAAG, providing dedicated service and expertise in many legal avenues to the attorneys general offices throughout the country. 

She joined the Michigan Department of Attorney General in 2010 and went on to become division chief of the State Operations Division in 2018. She was appointed deputy attorney general earlier this year after serving as chief of operations since August 2019. 

“Christina has been that calm, reliable presence in this constantly shifting environment, providing guidance and direction as our clients and colleagues face constant pressure and legal challenges that require her personal attention and deft attention to detail,” Nessel said.

“She has been a steady hand on the rudder, unfazed by the constant onslaught of the demands each day brings, and I am overwhelmingly grateful to have her on my team.”

With decades of success in public relations, Rossman-McKinney was welcomed into the Hall of Fame by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Detroit Chapter at the chapter’s annual meeting in mid-November. The Hall of Fame award is the chapter’s highest honor and recognizes a practitioner’s significant contributions to the profession, to the PRSA Detroit Chapter and to the community.

A pioneer in the practice of issue management, Rossman-McKinney started her own public relations firm and grew it into a regional heavyweight in the industry. The company merged with another Lansing-based competitor to form Truscott Rossman, now one of the premier public relations firms in the Midwest serving clientele across the country. She retired from the firm in 2018 and joined the Department of Attorney General in 2019 as communications director for the Office of Public Information and Education.

“While she has only worked at the Department for a short time, Kelly has truly been a lifelong public servant and has consistently shown a dedication to improving the lives of Michiganders,” Nessel said.

“One of the hardest working people in Lansing, her unwavering commitment to her profession has made her a master of her craft, and her passion for working with people has created the perfect recipe for her success. I am privileged to have her experience and support.”