Michelle was appointed Executive Director of HSC in May 2020 and previously served for many years as the Deputy Executive Director and Deputy Director. HSC advocates for the nonprofit human services organizations that provide critical services for New Yorkers such as programs for seniors, youth, and the homeless and disabled. Currently, Michelle oversees the COVID-19 response within the human services sector, coordinating with government and other external partners to ensure that human services providers are equipped to address the profound social, economic, and public health challenges facing communities and the human services workforce.
Under her roles as Deputy Executive Director and Deputy Director, Michelle coordinated HSC’s government relations strategy and has led revolutionary policy changes, leading both City and State campaigns to improve the nonprofit sector’s ability to maximize social impact in communities most notably in securing over $200 million in cost-of-living adjustments for NYC human services workers and $120 million in nonprofit infrastructure investments. She also represented HSC at public hearings and relevant government taskforces on these issues.
During her tenure with HSC, Michelle has been at the forefront of efforts to streamline the relationship between nonprofits and government, culminating in the launch of both City and State procurement systems that include a standard contract for human services and a simplified online procurement system, HHS Accelerator and New York Grants Reform, respectively. In addition to her expertise in government contracting, she leads the Strong Nonprofits for a Better New York campaign, a coalition of over 350 human services providers across New York State, which calls for increased State investment in the human services sector’s workforce and infrastructure.
Michelle has penned numerous op eds highlighting the human services workforce and has been recognized as a 2017 Albany Rising Star by City & State and as a 40 Under 40 Nonprofit Rising Star by New York Nonprofit Media in 2015. Prior to joining HSC, she graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston in 2007, earning a Juris Doctor with a concentration in International Law. While in law school, she interned for the International Consortium for Law and Development, researching and drafting legislation for developing countries, including the 2005 Iraq Constitution, and volunteered for Shelter Legal Services where she provided free legal aid to indigent women at Rosie’s Place. Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts in Politics at Saint Mary’s College of California in 2004.
