Kelsey Perdue is a City Commissioner representing Grand Rapids’ Third Ward (southeast side) and a public health leader committed to building fairer, people‑first systems that help communities thrive. Born and raised in Michigan, she is deeply rooted in the state and brings that lived understanding to her work every day.

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Kelsey approaches public service with practicality, care, and independent judgement. She draws on evidence, community experiences, and a commitment to fairness. Her work focuses on housing, economic development, public safety, and long‑term community health, with an emphasis on ensuring growth is shared and shaped by neighborhood needs.

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She believes local government works best when people are informed, connected, and engaged. As a commissioner, Kelsey prioritizes transparency and accountability—regularly sharing updates on what she’s working on, the decisions being made at City Hall, and the real challenges of navigating complex systems. She sees her role as both an advocate and a bridge‑builder, working across sectors and perspectives to move issues forward.

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Before serving in elected office, Kelsey built her career across education, community organizing, workforce development, public policy, and health-system leadership, working to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for individuals and communities. Her experience advocating for change from outside government now informs how she navigates competing priorities, makes decisions, and advances accountability from within. Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science from Howard University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Yale University.

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Kelsey is proud to call Grand Rapids home. Her commitment to the Third Ward—and to Michigan and our nation more broadly—is guided by a simple belief: leadership means doing the work, being honest about progress and setbacks, and staying close and committed to the people you serve.