Director of Development
Michelle brings to TIES 12 years of experience in supporting public education. After receiving her Masters of Public Administration from Kent State University, Michelle spent eight years at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). As the government liaison and public education lobbyist, Michelle represented the CMSD at the local, state and federal levels. In this role, she analyzed policy and legislation, met regularly with public officials as well as staff from education departments and agencies, organized testimony, and coordinated efforts with Ohio's other large urban school districts. These efforts resulted in improved public policy and legislation for formula funding, the school facilities program, Average Daily Membership (ADM) counts, and transportation issues.
Michelle shifted her role to serve CMSD through the Office of Institutional Advancement, as the Development Assistant. During this time, she helped raise millions of dollars to support public education initiatives ranging from traditional academic programming to the creation of innovation schools and programs such as MC2STEM High School, Ginn Academy, and the district's first Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab). She also helped raise funds to support capital improvement initiatives, such as CMSD's school facility master plan and won multiple awards to bring the EPA's clean diesel school bus program to Cleveland, all of which focused on providing students with a healthier, safer place to engage in learning.
Michelle also served as a major gifts officer at the Cleveland Scholarship Program, currently named College Now, Greater Cleveland. In this position, she raised funds to support college access services, including scholarships and counseling to students and adults living in the Greater Cleveland area.
As the Director of Development, Michelle understands and appreciates the challenges facing our nation's public school systems. Her position with TIES allows her the privilege of raising and coordinating resources to support the innovative solutions that will improve teaching and learning for all teachers and students.
