Prior to Korn Ferry, Michelle spent close to 7 years with a boutique Executive and Board Search firm where she partnered with both Fortune 500 and emerging-growth companies in recruiting executive leaders across various functions, including general management, operations, finance, marketing, IT/engineering, sales and HR.  In recent years as Senior Principal, Michelle developed proactive recruiting programs that increased diversity hires and upgraded existing talent with clients in the technology and industrial industries.  Michelle also has experience working across other industries, including utilities, financial services, healthcare and media. 

Before her career in executive recruiting, Michelle practiced corporate bankruptcy law for more than 10 years at Schiff Hardin in Chicago and Ice Miller in Indianapolis.  During her legal career, she represented both corporate debtors and creditors in restructuring efforts in and out of bankruptcy.  Michelle also litigated a multitude of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and commercial contract disputes in both state and federal courts and in bankruptcy courts. 

Michelle earned her JD from DePaul University College of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts in business administration and political science with honors at Alma College, where she graduated cum laude.