Michelle’s life and work are driven by the philosophy that we must lift as we rise.

An award-winning equity strategist with global distinctions in the areas of innovation in engagement and inclusion, Michelle has devoted her life’s work to understanding and addressing the root causes of bias and discrimination across our workplaces. As Empowered’s CEO, she is responsible for building the company’s global equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) brand and for realizing Empowered’s vision to make organizations more equitable by improving the way people decisions are made and human resources practices operate.

Michelle believes that when organizations move beyond talk and symbolic gestures to build a systemic, strategic approach to EDI, they can build workplaces and cultures where all people can prosper and thrive.

Michelle is a much-sought speaker on topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion and is regularly engaged by universities, professional associations and employers the word-over for her thought-provoking perspectives on EDI. Her EDI work has been recognized with a Catalyst Canada Award, a European Diversity Award for Team of the Year, the Engage Award for Voice of the Employee and a Best Companies Award for Innovation in Engagement.

She holds a Masters of Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Waterloo and is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach.

As the loving mom of two littles, Michelle is determined to build a better and more accepting world for future generations. Her favourite read is ‘Biased’ by Jennifer L. Eberhardt.

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  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Empowered

  Build a better equity, diversity & inclusion strategy.

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  Founder in Empowered

  Build a better equity, diversity & inclusion strategy.