Work
Coaching and presentations
I facilitate change and momentum for teams and individuals. My expertise serves those looking to promote empathy, meaningful discussion and equal opportunity.
Sample topics: starting projects with impact, investing mindfully, discovering your passion, entrepreneurship, career change, connection and networking, team dynamics and company culture, HR and recruitment considerations, fundraising, CSR, nonprofits, travel and adventure
Read a transcript from my talk at the Nepali Literary Society here.
Management and development
Click for a free download of photography, stories, and references from clients I’ve worked with. Other projects I’ve advised:
- Pause Play Kenya
- Seth Godin – conference in New York City, impresario workshop, two-day seminar, connection dinners
- Discover Outdoors
- Urban Girl Squad
- Social Media Week
- Summit Series
- Everest Base Camp Fundraiser
- Solar project for Matepani
- Leadership and education initiatives in Nepal
- What it’s like to crowdfund in a developing country – Medium
- Questions to redefine success, wealth and the American Dream – Medium
- Step Away from the Phone: 11 Ways to Make it Happen Yourself – elephant journal
- The Best Classroom Might Be Your Backyard – elephant journal
- 37 Lessons from NYC that can be applied anywhere – elephant journal
- Open back up to love in 5 steps – elephant journal
- Global Commerce is Closer Than You Think: An Interview – Social Media Week
- ReWorking Career Ladders, Changing Employment Trends – Social Media Week
- Funnel competition into creativity – Social Media Week
- Spotlight: Board Member Susan McPherson – Social Media Week
- Inspiring co-workers – Discover Outdoors
- Embracing Challenge – Discover Outdoors
- Welcome to the Discover Outdoors Blog – Discover Outdoors
- Guide Profiles: Meet Marc – Discover Outdoors
Communications, PR, and storytelling
Brand, copy, social media, and live events are ways people can bring more “human” to their business. In addition to regular posts on Project Exponential and Khata: Life, you can find my writing here:
- When the world cares about Everest: bucket lists and disaster – Medium
- Quitting and Nepal – Life Love Stories
- What I learned about America while living in Nepal – Medium
- You are your own media company – Medium
- Most valuable word in human economy – Fast Company
- Everest Base Camp: A travel journal – Exposure
- Modern Travel Guides – Inside.co
- From probation officer to entrepreneur: 5 tips I took out of the county jail into business – Medium
- A step-by-step guide for traveling with a purpose – Medium
- The courage to quit – Medium
- Do NOT go to grad school – Let me tell you what really matters – Medium
- I’ve worn the same jeans for six months: Tips for meaningful travel, part 1 of 2 – Medium
- If you want to travel the world, pick up a broom: Tips for meaningful travel, part 2 of 2 – Medium
- Life sucks, meditation isn’t what you think. (from Buddhist monks to American entrepreneurs, with love) – Medium
- Quitting everything to go to Nepal was the best thing I’ve done. 7 lessons from volunteering in a monastery – Medium
- Voluntourism and responsibility of travelers: 8 tips for meaningful vacations – Nepali Blogger
“Michelle uses the skills of a sociologist, the training of a psychologist and the social gifts of a conversationalist to connect people to one another. She has an unmatched ability to draw people out, to listen, and to connect the dots in ways that inspire big ideas and innovative thinking.”
Guy Raz, NPR
“"Being the organizer behind 300 events in one city over the course of a week takes a finesse few can muster. But she did it with grace, humor, and managed to endear those around her to the task."”
Nicky Yates, Crowdcentric
“Michelle made an immediate impact on my business as she brought a jolt of creativity and passion to our social media program."”
Kirk Reynolds, Discover Outdoors
“Michelle is one of the smartest people I've had the pleasure of working with and brings an incredible level of passion and energy to her work. ”
Toby Daniels, Social Media Week
“"Michelle encourages and challenges me to think bigger." ”
Amanda Goldfine Hofman, Urban Girl Squad
“…She not only thinks about world issues, she does something about them.”
Carole Deletiner, FIT
“Michelle has the ability to unveil directions that you had never thought of before. Her simple advice was monumental in some of my ventures. Additionally, if she offers to connect you with someone that could help, then you can expect to meet someone phenomenal.”
Meagan Nowacoski, Contrib(YOU)tion Experiment
“...Tireless, always hungry for more, always thinking of way to create meaning, connections and value for herself, her company and her network of friends and like minded cohorts. Everything she touches turns to gold.”