Michelle has over 30 years of nonprofit experience as an executive and founder of Catalyst Consulting Services, whose mission is to facilitate positive change in the areas of executive searches, organizational management, and fundraising. Michelle has been responsible for increasing the impact and best practices of nonprofit organizations she serves and has raised over $87 million for the Tampa Bay community through her professional and personal philanthropic efforts.
In addition to facilitating change nationally and in the Tampa Bay area, Michelle's community service includes leadership roles on the boards of:
- Donate Life America
- Hillsborough County Arts Council
- Cultural Assets Commission
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Charitable Gift Planners of Tampa Bay
- YMCA
- University of South Florida Foundation
Michelle is author of the best-selling book, Jumping the Queue – Achieving Great Things Before You Are Ready, which focuses on how young professionals can seize personal and professional opportunities. Her articles have been featured in American Express: Open Forum, Arizona Business Magazine, Inc.com, Inc. Asian, New York Daily News, Investor's Business Daily, Nerdy Girls Express, Young Upstarts, and Rural Messenger.
Michelle is also an expert nonprofit educational trainer for the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. Her professional education expertise spans the areas of change management, capital campaigns, volunteer management, board governance, and fund development. She has been recognized by Tampa Bay Metro Magazine as one of Tampa Bay's Distinguished Women in Business and the Face of Nonprofit Change and recognized by the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Business Leader of the Year. Michelle was also nominated by her peers as Tampa Bay Business Journal's Business Woman of the Year in 2007, 2016, and 2017.
A third-generation Floridian from Bradenton, Florida, Michelle has lived in South Tampa since 1986. Michelle and her husband, Eric, have two sons. She is an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Education
M.A., summa cum laude, Art History, University of South Florida, 2000
B.A., magna cum laude, Humanities, Florida State University, 1995
Professional Associations
- Catalyst Consulting Services, LLC , CEO, 2014-Present
- University of South Florida Foundation, Board Member, Fundraising & Stewardship, Finance Committees, 2023-present
- Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants, Board Member, Thought & Knowledge, and Membership Committees, 2021-present
- Hillsborough County Cultural Assets Commission, Board Member, 2020-2022
- University of South Florida, College of Arts & Sciences
- Board Member, 2019-present
- Task force to select the new Dean, Member
- Advisory Board, Member
- Statewide Workforce Development Initiative, Chair
- Arts Council of Hillsborough Council, Board Member, Secretary & Treasurer, 2017-2020
- Donate Life America, National Board of Directors, 2018-2021
- Working Women of Tampa Bay Foundation, Co-Founder & Mentoring Chair, 2016-present
- University South Florida's Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, Mentoring & Sponsorship Committees, 2013-2018
- South Tampa YMCA Board of Directors, 2005-2012
- Special Event Chair, 2006
- Annual Giving Chair, 2008
- Finance Chair, 2009
- Chair, 2011-2012
- Tampa Bay Planned Giving Council Board of Directors, 2002-2007
- Leave a Legacy, Chair
- Association of Fundraising Professionals Board of Directors, 2016-2018, 2002-2005),
- Florida Caucus Chair
- Leadership Pinellas Class of 2002-2003
- The Explorer's Club of New York, 2002-2020
- Florida Association of Museums and American Association of Museums, Member, 1998-2022
Honors
- Outstanding Business Leader of the Year Finalist, Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, 2018
- Inspiring Women in Business, Tampa Bay Metro, 2015, 2019
- Business Woman of the Year Finalist – Entrepreneur, Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2017
- Business Woman of the Year Nominee – Non Profit, Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2016
- The Face of Nonprofit Change, Tampa Bay Metro Magazine, 2016
- Business Woman of the Year Nominee – Arts and Culture, Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2007
Certifications
- Certified Fundraising Executive, CFRE International, 2015
- Florida Volunteer Management Certification, 2015
- Professional Fundraising Consultant, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 2013