Michelle arrived in Lander in the early 90s to work for NOLS, fresh out of an intense four-year stint in the New York City art market. Most of Michelle's early Lander years were spent chasing eternal spring and summer, as a sea-kayaking instructor working in Patagonia for eight years, in addition to Baja California, British Columbia, and Alaska, with an occasional course in the Wind River Range and Absaroka mountains. 

Michelle's passion for the natural world is coupled with a deep love of community-building and grassroots-mobilization work. She was a founding member of the Lander Community Foundation and developed the Challenge for Charities community-wide fundraiser. She also was a board member of the educational nonprofits Adventures for Learning, which supported experiential learning; the Lander Art Center; and Promoting Arts in Lander Schools. Additionally, Michelle served as an elected Fremont County School District 1 School Board Member for four years. 

Currently, Michelle is putting her Masters in Nonprofit Management to work as a nonprofit consultant—specializing in resource development and organizational capacity-building. In 2020, she helped found the League of Women Voters of Fremont County to promote public election information that makes elections accessible to all of Wyoming's eligible voters. She also serves as a board member of the League of Women Voters of Wyoming and two private foundations. Another organization close to her heart is Chelsea's Fund, which supports reproductive rights for Wyoming women.

Michelle and her husband chose to build their lives and raise their daughter, Magdalena, in Lander. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys—somewhat epic—hiking, canyoneering, and textile projects, as well as hosting delicious meals around a table filled with friends and lively conversation. Michelle was fortunate enough to be part of the first Womentum cohort and is deeply invested in building a strong local web of women who support each other in real and meaningful ways.