A native Californian, Michelle grew up with her four siblings in Maryland near Washington D.C., as well as in Southern California. Her father was a Navy Captain who served in World War II, the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. Her mother also served in World War II as a Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps and was a nursing educator.

 After graduating from USC, Michelle began a 24-year career in banking and corporate finance. Her last position was Managing Director and Group Executive of a national business unit consisting of Fortune 500 and large public and private corporations. Michelle then started her own consulting firm advising on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and financial restructuring for companies in the United States. Michelle has held Securities 7 and 63 licenses and is currently licensed as a California Professional Fiduciary, Enrolled Agent, and Broker.

 Michelle and her husband, Dave, have lived in District 1- in the community of Northpark - for the past 23 years. She is an active community leader and involved with local Irvine issues, regularly speaking out and making presentations at City Council meetings. Most recently, she was the District 1 Leader for the “Yes on D” campaign, the ballot measure to expand the Irvine City Council and transition to district elections. Measure D was broadly supported by voters in District 1 and passed citywide in March 2024. Michelle continues to meet with city management on a variety of important issues - the clean-up of the All American Asphalt site; the school and traffic impacts of the Gateway Preserve development; and wildfire mitigation and escalating homeowner insurance premiums in North Irvine.

 A lifelong volunteer, Michelle has been a dedicated supporter of various nonprofits, including United Way, Human Options, Arts Orange County, UCI, Discovery Cube, Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, and her church St. Thomas More. Among her philanthropic causes, she has funded a nursing scholarship in honor of her mother at St. Scholastica School of Nursing and has donated to a scholarship fund for children of fallen Navy SEALs in honor of her father.

Michelle has always been interested in learning about different countries and cultures and has traveled extensively around the world. She especially enjoys hiking and trekking to remote locations at high altitude. She is a staunch supporter of public education, and as a classical flutist believes that all children should have access to art and music programs.