Regent Olivia Maynard, a Democrat from Goodrich, was first elected to the University’s Board of Regents in 1996 and was reelected in 2004.

Maynard graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in 1959 and from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a master's degree in social work.

Maynard currently serves as the president of Michigan Prospect – a non-profit organization that works to connect citizens with government officials to shape more responsive public policies.

Prior to this position, Maynard worked at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, Michigan State University’s School of Social Work and Lansing Community College’s Center for Aging Education. Maynard also served as the director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging from 1983 to 1990. In 1990, Maynard unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor with then-Gov. James Blanchard. Maynard also served as the chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party from 1973 to 1982.

In addition to her work and service as a University regent, Maynard is also a trustee with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and a trustee of McLaren Regional Medical Center. She has also served on the boards of the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Council on Foundations and the Nature Conservancy of Michigan.

Maynard is married to attorney S. Olof Karlstrom. The couple has five children and 13 grandchildren.