Michelle is an experienced leader in the not-for-profit sector, having worked in the human services field for more than two decades. Michelle is a strategic thinker; leading community-based services, collaborative program development and service expansion and excellence throughout her career.
In September 2023, Michelle assumed the role of Deputy Director at Day One in Rhode Island and is responsible for overseeing staff teams and programs including the Rhode Island Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) including child trafficking, the state’s 24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline, the Prevention Education program and various Advocacy roles. From 2020 to 2023, Michelle held the position of Executive Director, Philanthropy at Southcoast Health Systems. In this role, she has led the strategic rebuilding of the department including adding a more robust management structure. Michelle is leading all aspects of fundraising and constituent engagement for the regional health care system.
As the first Executive Director of the CAC of Bristol County for more than fourteen years; she grew the agency to 10 times its assets, led the agency to National Accreditation and created an education & outreach program reaching thousands throughout Bristol County during her tenure. She began her work at the CAC in 2007 after a nine plus year tenure with St. Vincent’s Home, in the capacity of Director of Quality Management and Director of Education Services where she developed the agency’s policy and procedures, led the organization through Council on Accreditation and developed a day school program securing all necessary approvals with the state Department of Education and rate procurement with the state’s Operation Services Division. Michelle has also served in a management role and was a licensed social worker for the MA Department of Children & Families.
Michelle was a Governor appointee to the Council for sexual and domestic violence and served as the co-chair of the child trafficking work group. Michelle served as a member of the Southcoast and Saint Anne’s Community Benefits Committees, Saint Vincent’s Human Rights Committee, a member of the New Bedford DCF Advisory Board and a member of the Bristol Alliance to end the Opioid Crisis Governance Committee. Michelle is a consultant for area non-profits and served on various Bristol County task forces and coalitions.
Michelle has received numerous awards for her work leading a new and only one of its kind organization in Bristol County for more than 14 years. Michelle received the 2012 Reverend Robert Lawrence Humanitarian Award from the Fall River Police Department and is a recipient of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, 2013 John S Brayton Community Service Award. Michelle was named the 2017 Southcoast Women of the Year from Southcoast Today media outlet and in April 2018 awarded an Unsung Heroine award by the MA Commission on the Status of Women. Michelle volunteers for various organizations to support food insecurities.
Michelle holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Clark University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption College in Social and Rehabilitation Services with a minor in Sociology.
Michelle currently resides in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
