Francine Zysk is Lenawee County, Michigan's Community Development Coordinator, and a dedicated educator. With over 25 years of experience in public service—including roles as court administrator, probation officer, and on-call magistrate—Francine brings a systems-level perspective grounded in compassion, justice, and people with lived experience. In her current role, she leads initiatives at the intersection of community development and social determinants of health, including the Land Bank Authority, broadband accessibility, and Lenawee County's response to the opioid crisis through the strategic use of Opioid Settlement funding. She is the founder of Project Opiate, a grassroots initiative focused on advancing harm reduction, overdose prevention, treatment in jails, and recovery support through trauma informed, community-led approaches. 

Francine also serves on the Board of Directors for Citizens for Prison Reform (CPR), a statewide advocacy organization committed to human dignity, family connection, and transformative justice in Michigan's prison system. As an educator working in carceral settings, Francine empowers incarcerated students pursuing college degrees through the power of language, experiential learning, and transformative education. Her doctoral research centers on mass incarceration, institutional racism, and the role of education in restorative justice. Deeply passionate about trauma-informed community building, public health equity, and mindfulness as tools for healing and empowerment, Francine approaches every endeavor with a researched, relational, and purpose-driven lens.