About

Hi, I’m Michelle.

I’m a strategist, economic development professional, entrepreneur, community builder and lifelong student of what makes people—and places—thrive.

My career has taken me through entrepreneurship, innovation, business development, economic development, tourism and destination development. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to build programs, lead organizations, support entrepreneurs, develop experiences and work with communities thinking about what comes next.

But this isn't really a website about my résumé.

It's a place for the things I'm thinking about.

I’m fascinated by how we build things—businesses, communities, careers, opportunities and lives that feel meaningful. I’m interested in why some places flourish while others struggle to find their footing. I think a lot about entrepreneurship, leadership, economic opportunity, culture, tourism, creativity and the relationship between quality of place and economic growth.

And then there is everything outside of work.

I love beautiful places, compelling stories, culture, travel, good food, creativity, learning, laughter and experiences that remind me there is much more to life than being productive.

For a long time, I kept those worlds somewhat separate: the professional Michelle over here and the rest of me somewhere else.

I don't think I need to anymore.

Why this blog

I actually started blogging more than a decade ago.

Recently, while reconsidering what I wanted my website to become, I rediscovered those old posts. Reading them was like encountering an earlier version of myself—ambitious, curious, figuring things out and already asking some of the questions that still interest me today.

A lot has happened since then.

I've led. I've built. I've succeeded. I've changed direction. I've learned. I've changed my mind. And I'm still figuring some things out.

So rather than create another perfectly polished professional website, I decided to pick up the conversation.

Here you'll find longer Insights about the ideas and issues I'm exploring professionally, alongside more personal Field Notes about things I'm noticing, experiencing, learning or simply thinking about.

Some posts may be about economic development. Others might be about entrepreneurship, leadership, community or the places we call home.

And occasionally, I may wander completely off topic.

That is intentional.

The work behind the words

Professionally, my experience spans economic development, entrepreneurship, innovation, destination development, program development and organizational leadership.

I've worked across public, private and nonprofit environments and have spent much of my career helping people and organizations turn ideas into something tangible.

Today, I continue that work while developing my own research, writing and advisory practice around the intersection of people, place, entrepreneurship and economic development.

I’m particularly interested in the idea that the places we create don't simply attract visitors—they influence where people choose to live, build businesses, invest and belong.

There will be much more about that here.

Welcome

This site isn't intended to contain the definitive version of me.

It's a record of ideas, experiences and perspectives as they evolve.

Notes on building things—businesses, communities, a meaningful career and a life I enjoy.

I'm glad you're here.